Interview: Theatre Life with Charity Arianna

Today’s subject Charity Arianna is currently living her theatre life on tour playing Nabulungi in the current North American Tour of The Book of Mormon. The show will be in DC from April 28th to May 3rd at The National Theatre.

Charity’s past performing credits include The Drowsy Chaperone and Pride and Prejudice.

She is also a singer/songwriter whose ultimate goal is to spread love through performing. She wants to encourage every Black girl to take up space just as she has and to know that they are never alone!

Grab your tickets to The Book of Mormon at The National Theatre and say “Hello” to Charity Arianna. A young performer bringing her talents to the masses one doorbell at a time!

She is truly living her theatre life to the fullest.

How did you get interested in performing?

I have always loved performing. I started in church and then my love for musicals grew through my first musical in 9th grade, Grease. I played Girl #2 and it changed my life! 

Where did you receive your training?

I went to school at a 2 year conservatory called The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC!  

What was your first professional job as a performer?

This tour was my first professional job. I started as a swing. Which is basically an emergency cover for all of the female roles and then the next season I was asked to play Nabalungi which was a dream come true! 

How long was it from your first audition to booking this current tour of The Book of Mormon?

My first audition was about a year before booking The Book of Mormon tour. It felt like a sign from the universe that this was the right path for me!

What is the best thing about performing in The Book of Mormon across the country?

The best thing about performing The Book of Mormon across the country is the different audiences we get to perform in front of and getting to explore every city. My favorite thing to do is to find the best coffee!

You are also a singer/songwriter. Was that something that was always part of the plan for you or did it come after you started performing in shows?

I’ve always loved writing lyrics and humming tunes. Honestly, musical theatre became an extension of that. I love the way that musical theatre tells a story through music.

Why do you think The Book of Mormon continues to be such a well loved show fifteen years after it opened on Broadway?

The Book of Mormon is so prevalent in today’s time because it tells a story of how love acceptance and unity can really make a change in places you least expect. I think in today’s time that really resonates with the audience as well as creating a space where we can all be together for a couple hours to laugh and have a good time!

Special thanks to National Theatre's Marketing Manager Abby Berman for her assistance in coordinating this interview.

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