Spotlight On: Isabella Carvalho

Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into our talented cast and crew of Nine. Get to know Isabella Carvalho who is in our Ensemble!

Introduce Yourself to Our Audience:

Hi! I’m Isabella Carvalho and I will be playing Renata/Sixth Woman in Nine! I am also the assistant choreographer of this production 🙂

Why did you want to be involved in this production?

I was a part of CTC’s production of Head Over Heels and Zanna, Don’t last year and wanted to experience the production side of things as the assistant choreographer, but things changed and I was able to help by also being a part of the cast!

How do you prepare for a new role or character, and what techniques do you use?

Any time I take on a new role I like to see other people’s take on the character while also doing a little research on the background of the show/character. So for this show, I watched the 2009 film while also looking up different styles of dance that primarily are from or are done in Italy.

What do you love about your character?

I like being one of the Italians because of the different dances we get to do in certain songs. Grand Canal and Germans at the Spa are two of the songs that contain two different dances happening between Germans and Italians and I like seeing but also being a part of that contrast.

What challenges did you face bringing the script to life?

Although I joined the cast later, I know how difficult the music was to learn. It’s different from any libretto I have ever had to learn but the cast did an amazing job bringing it to life. (Props to anyone in this show who also had to learn Italian)

Who do you look up to (as an actor/director/etc.)?

I think one of my biggest inspirations and motivators was my high school director Foster Evans Reese. I’m sure many of my cast mates/production team know the name and may have worked with him before but he inspired me to keep doing theatre and helped me grow as a performer and dancer and I’m forever grateful 🙂

What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage / the curtain goes up?

Although it depends on the night, I typically close my eyes and take a minute to tell myself that the audience is there to see us show what we have spent weeks working on and know we will be giving it our all no matter what.

What is your favorite film or theater production and why?

Ok favorite film is the ORIGINAL Pete’s Dragon from 1977 and that is because it is so comforting and lovely it’s my go to movie if I ever want to feel nostalgic or happy. As for my favorite theatre production, I would say an all time favorite of mine is In the Heights because it’s the show that made me continue doing theatre and it’s a classic of course.

Nine opens May 17th and runs through June 2nd at Connecticut Theatre Company. Tickets on sale now!

“A galloping fantasy [with a] ravishingly inventive and tuneful score.” – The New York Times