Audrey Reidling

I first saw Audrey Reidling last December in a production of White Christmas. Truth be told, I only went because one of my favorite performers and someone I use as a touchstone was in the show. But from the moment she walked on stage in her 1940’s garb, I knew Audrey Reidling was a star. Vocals, dancing, and presence off the charts. Fast forward to this spring and Audrey was starring as Kate McGowan in RCT’s Titanic where she charmed me so totally, I had to go twice. Just recently I got to see Audrey absolutely slay as the not so nice Queen of Hearts/Red Cross nurse in LCT’s Alice by Heart. Phenomenal is not quite a strong enough word to describe this gloriously talented young woman. Take a few moments to learn more about Audrey and see her soon in RCT’s Cats.

When was your first time on stage?

It was in preschool at a Christmas Choir Show! I distinctly remember being super loud on purpose and trying to sing better than all of other classmates. It must’ve worked, because the teachers wanted me to be featured! (But maybe I just annoyed them enough for them to give me attention haha!). So, they found an orange Gatorade cap, some string, and put it around my head so I could be “Rudolph”. I spent the entire concert as the only person on the first row. I’ve been chasing that high ever since. Lol!

When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

Probably around that same time frame in preschool. I was absolutely obsessed with Disney Channel and Barney. I would dance around my living room with props with my own choreography, of course. And I would quote lines and sing, constantly, from Barney and Disney Channel (and just about everything else I heard). Growing up, my family had their own personal Tony Awards!! They’re stuck with me.

Who is your greatest mentor?

My greatest mentor is Dr. Cloyce Kuhnert. She was my voice teacher in college, & I still take lessons with her! She knows me like the back of my hand, and even more vulnerable than that, she knows my voice just as well. I feel so safe confiding in her and singing for her. She is a wizard of vocal pedagogy, which helps with my career as a voice teacher, too. I believe that my life would be so different if she weren’t my professor in college. If you’re reading this, Dr. Kuhnert, I love you!!

What role have you enjoyed the most in your career so far?

The role that I’ve enjoyed the most so far, is the Red Cross Nurse//Queen of Hearts in Alice by Heart at Lakeside Community Theatre. There were many times when I was worried that it was out of my comfort zone, but at the same time, so many choices and aspects of that character just came naturally. I really appreciated learning about myself by exploring my comfort levels, and how to make a role my own. I hadn’t played a villainous, “diva” role in years, but I just had to trust that I was able, and trained enough (shout-out Dr. K!!). The cast is also just so close so it was such an amazing experience.

Do you have a dream role?

Yes! Where to begin lol? I would love to be Christine Daae in Phantom of the Opera, Rizzo in Grease, Velma in Chicago, and Ariel in The Little Mermaid. Some dream shows that I would take any role (hahaha) are: Into the Woods, Bright Star, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, Les Miserables, and Light in the Piazza.

What person(s) would you like to be on stage with?

I really love Lady Gaga. I think she is such a well-versed artist in so many genres and forms of art. Her stage presence, talent, and stamina while performing are so impressive. I think I could learn a lot from her, if I could ever stop pinching myself from being in the same room as her! She also had the best Super Bowl performance ever, in my opinion. Don’t try changing my mind! As for a more musical theater focus, Kelli O’Hara would be a dream come true. The speed of her vibrato, her placement, her versatility for each character she plays, her charm— just a FEW of the reasons of how she’s been getting Tony Award nominations for literal decades. She is such an influence to me, and one of my first icons in the Musical Theatre World.

What performances have you seen that impressed you?

I was super impressed with Head Over Heels at Uptown Players. I was so invested in each character and every actor’s voice was killer. Truly, I would buy an album from every cast member in that show. It was one of the first professional shows that I saw here in Dallas, since graduating college, so I remember it well. The pacing of the show was just great, and I love the music (The Go-Go’s). Jukebox musicals are FUN—Get over yourself! The ensemble was super impressive too – I love watching the ensemble of a show, I notice everythingggg.

Another favorite, was Tosca at Dallas Opera. I love the grandiosity of an opera. The set was phenomenal and each act, there were 3, had a distinct set, and every detail of the set was used or alluded to, during the scenes (door, statue, painting). I am trained in Opera, as well, and since moving back home to Dallas, I have not been active in the opera scene. Tosca really reminded me how beautiful opera is as an art form.

What are your career goals?

I am very happy with where I am at in my life and career right now! I am happily teaching voice at the middle school level (some at the

elementary level), and choreographing for high school musicals/show choir/dance teams (some at the middle school level). Teaching voice and growing my studio is my main career goal, right now. Each year I’m growing in number of students, which is really gratifying. I love children so much; watching my students perform in their recitals has been the best feeling in my professional life. That being said, I’m not ruling out ever teaching choir in the future. Classroom teaching doesn’t feel suitable for me at this moment in time, but never say never! I would also love to book some more professional theaters around the area, regional theaters, Cruise lines, amusement parks and maybe one day Broadway—who knows!? But traveling or moving for theater work is something that I am definitely open to. I also want to start writing my own music and and possibly becoming a pop artist, as well as breaking into the film industry. Theatre is so special, but I like the idea of creating my own music, catered to my style and original sound. There are SO many different hats that I want to try on, and I feel so lucky to know different people in each sector who are willing to guide me. It’s such a special community that we are part of.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I can yodel! I learned that I could by singing along to “Popular” from my grandma’s “Wicked” CD. I was in the backseat and she was so surprised that she made me do it for the whole family! Along the same lines , I was in a folk band in college, and for a summer stock, I was the lead singer in the “Front of House band” where I sang country songs. Half of my family lives in Nashville, so I do think it’s in my blood. I think I naturally have a twang in my voice that’s suitable for country and pop styles, which is probably why I love Kelli O’Hara and Lady Gaga so much! They tend to lean toward that style as well. Yee-haw!