BWW Interviews: TITANIC THE MUSICAL's Jama Bowen takes on The Friday Five

Inspired by BroadwayWorld.com's Friday Six, welcome to Nashville.BroadwayWorld.com's latest installment of The Friday Five: five questions designed to help you learn more about the talented people you'll find onstage throughout the Volunteer state.

Today, the spotlight falls upon Jama Bowen, who is currently onstage at TPAC's James K. Polk Theatre, playing Marion Thayer in Circle Players' revival of Titanic the Musical, the latest project for her in a very busy 2012 for the versatile actress.

"I just finished playing the Madame in Blackbird Theater's production of Sondheim's Pacific Overtures," she says. "It was a marvelous experience and then I'm reprising my role as Marion Thayer in Titanic the Musical for the 100th Year Tribute, opening at TPAC's Polk Theatre on April 5."

Find out what makes Jama tick-what keeps her going-in today's installment of The Friday Five and then go to TPAC and see her among director Tim Larson's cast of thousands as they perform Titanic the Musical this weekend…

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? My first official performance was my first dance recital at age three. (I went on to do what seemed like a million more over the course of about 16 years.) My first theatrical role was as the Queen of Hearts, the lead, in my first grade play at age six. I remember I had been out of school with the measles and the day I returned to class I received news of the casting.

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? I like to be an early bird. I enjoy having lots of time in the dressing room and not having to rush before curtain.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? During our run of Christmas Belles at the Boiler Room in December 2010, there was one particularly snowy, icy, below-freezing day. Of course that is the day that the heater chose to stop working. The audience was wonderful; they were totally into the show and stayed bundled up in their coats, gloves, scarves, and hats. In the dressing room, the cast would gather around a little space heater to keep from freezing when we weren't on stage.  One of my costume pieces was a fur coat and I wore it constantly in the dressing room.  Luckily the main heater was back in action for the next performance! We had such a terrific time doing that show at BRT.

What's your dream role? Goodness, there are so many great roles I can't even begin to list them all! I'd love to play Miss Mona in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Others would include Diana in Next to Normal, Phyllis in Follies, Rose in Gypsy, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Miss Hannigan in Annie.

Who's your theatrical crush? Mandy Patinkin is awesome, Hugh Jackman's pretty great too! And while it's not a crush, when I was a child I got to see Jimmy Stewart, front row seats in London, in Harvey. He gave an absolutely magical performance that I will never forget.

Need more Nashville Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...