5 Questions with "Porgy and Bess" at The Metropolitan Opera's Rebecca L. Hargrove
Kevin Ray Johnson
I would like you to meet Rebecca L. Hargrove. Rebecca is an actress, singer, and model currently performing in the chorus of Porgy and Bess at The Metropolitan Opera. She was most recently seen in Acquanetta at Bard Summerscape directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Fish. Other recent engagements include making her Carnegie Hall debut in Two Wings: The Music of Black America in Migration, the role of Nellie Quander in In the Parlour a one-act play by Judy Tate at the National Black Theater, and a national tour of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado as Peep-Bo with the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players. It is truly an honor to have the chance to interview Rebecca!
1.) How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a Singer?
I always enjoyed singing. I knew around age 5 that I would be an actress, but I added singing to that around 10 years old.
2.) Where did you study?
I seriously began my studies at Baltimore School for the Arts. At BSA they nurtured my passion and encouraged me to attend Oberlin College Conservatory for my BM. After Oberlin, I attended Mannes the New School for Music for my MM.
3) Are there any mentors that truly helped make you the performer you are today?
My first classical voice teacher was Robert Cantrell at BSA. He introduced me to the Operatic legends such as Leontyne, Kathy Battle, and Jessye Norman. Timothy LeFebvre from Oberlin and Amy Burton from Mannes continued to pour into me and my talent giving me the courage and tools to continue in this business.
4.) Porgy and Bess in my eyes is one of the greatest shows ever written. How has your time been in this amazing production at The Metropolitan Opera?
I am blessed beyond measure to be making my debut in this house in THIS way. This is the fourth time I've done the show and I discover new things each time. This production is also momentous because I am performing with a stage full of friends and family. It's hard not to get emotional watching people you care about deeply succeed.
5.) What advice would you give young artist who want a career in the performing arts?
Ask yourself "what do I want to be when I grow up?" no matter how old you are. If you have a clear vision for your life, do whatever it takes to achieve that. Do what makes you happy and what gets you out of the bed every morning. Also, be limitless in your realm of possibility, meaning, don't let anyone pigeon hold you to one gift/genre/career path/ or dream. You can do it all. AND most importantly, never let anyone tell you that you are not enough. There’s room for us all.
To learn more about Rebecca make sure you visit her website at - http://www.rebeccalhargrove.com and to learn more about Porgy and Bess please visit – www.metopera.org Check out Rebecca's cameo in the Porgy and Bess choreography rehearsal snippet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35lO5Bu-UOE