An Interview with MOULIN ROUGE’s Jacqueline B. Arnold
Kevin Ray Johnson
I would like you to meet Jacqueline B. Arnold. Jacqueline is currently playing La Chocolat in Moulin Rouge! which recently opened on July 25th on Broadway at The Al Hirschfeld Theatre. Ms. Arnold has also been seen on Broadway in Priscilla Queen of the Desert and in the National Tours of Bette Midler Harlette, We Will Rock You, Hairspray, and Rent. Moulin Rouge! is an epic show that takes a lot of energy and strength to perform in eight times a week so it was truly a privilege for me that Jacqueline took the time to give me the chance to interview her!
1.) How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?
I was 13.
2.) Where did you study? Are there any mentors that truly helped make you the performer you are today?
I am pretty much self-taught. My mentors range from my mother and family members to iconic performers. I have also had acting and vocal coaches through the years that have impacted me.
3.) Congratulations on Moulin Rouge! How has your time been in such an amazing show?
Moulin Rouge! has been a long process and some of the most challenging work I have ever done. It’s amazing the scale of the team putting up a Broadway show and I’m so honored to be a part of it and have loved seeing it get here from day one. It’s also so much fun!
4.) Are there any shows that you have done in your career that will always be near and dear to your heart?
Hair and Hairspray - that’s kind of funny. Hair was the freedom that we want as artists. It’s so full of energy and makes such poignant points even relatable today. Hairspray for the same reasons and the music is brilliantly written. On a personal note, I made some of my best friends on that show.
5.) What advice would you give young performers who want a career in this business?
It’s a hard business, really hard. Come at it at a place of passion and the high you get from it will keep you doing it. It’s really fucking hard. It’s worth it when you’re on stage and that curtain goes up, channel that feeling. Passion will get you far.
To learn more about this amazingly, talented actress make sure you visit her official website at www.jackiebarnold.com, and to learn more about Moulin Rouge on Broadway visit – www.moulinrougemusical.com