RENT Questionnaire
"Behind the Scenes of RENT"
Name:
Nicolette Hart
Title/Role: Maureen
How long have you been working on RENT?
About 2 months as Maureen, but a couple years ago I did a short stint as Mark’s mom.
Tell us a little about your job. What does it mean to be a ____?
Specifically for this role, there are a few things that I find to be important when I am at work. From a technical standpoint, my voice needs to be warm—and actually the condition of my speaking voice is of greatest importance. Also, my body needs to be warm, so I have a loose feeling in the Performance Piece. And mentally, I need to be open and clearminded to take the
What is your favorite part of the job?
I would have to say, aside from the camaraderie of this cast and the people in this building being so amazing, just the sheer joy of getting to get and give the gift of this piece each night.
What is your least favorite part of the job?
N/A
When did you first become interested in a career in this field?
Ever since my earliest memories, maybe 4 or 5 years old. Of course at that time I didn’t know hat I all meant, I just knew my greatest source of joy was in dancing and being onstage. And then a few years later I started taking voice lessons, and acting class and also started studying the guitar. I was in love!! The stage became my home at a very early age, and it has only grown and become more meaningful as the years pass.
Tell us a little about your career up to this point. How did you get where you are now?
Probably a similar story to many others—grew up dancing, singing and taking acting classes from a very young age. I did theater all through high school and studied Musical Theater in college. After the community theater/theme park/semi-professional jobs, I took a detour to Nashville, and then came to New York! Obviously this is the abridged version, but I do feel like every experience served a purpose along the way—even if I didn’t know it at the time! Shortly after moving to NY, I landed the amazing job of singing and dancing for Better Midler, as one of her Harlettes! After getting hired to play “Mrs. Cohen” in Rent, I left to do Wedding Singer which I am proud to say I saw through from the beginning! What an amazing experience…And here I am—jumping over the moon!
What advice would you have for someone seeking a career in your field?
Study! And I don’t mean just in the “conventional” sense, like taking classes, etc… I mean, be smart—this means everything from reading the paper, to paying attention to world issues. Everything you learn and absorb informs you choices/decisions as an actor.
What is your favorite scene/song in RENT?
I definitely can’t narrow it down to one scene! There are several isolated moments in the show that are special, or fun or touching every night! But as a whole I think the piece is brilliant.
Tell us about your favorite RENT backstage anecdote. What the funniest/scariest/most exciting thing that’s happened backstage or during a performance?
The funniest/scariest moment happened to me just the other day, when the lights came up for the performance piece, I flung my drumstick into the 3rd row! I was sure somebody got the stick in their eye—fortunately, they caught it—I still don’t understand how!!
Tell us about the first time you ever heard of RENT.
The first time I heard of Rent was over a decade ago now, when the first auditions were happening! I took a train from upstate New York to attend the open call!
Had you seen RENT before you started working on the show? If so, how many times?
Yes, I had seen the show a couple times. Although I’m sad to say, I never saw the original cast. That is something, I will always regret.
Tell us how you got your job working for RENT. Any interesting audition or interview stories?
Nothing out of the ordinary, I suppose. Just several auditions at Bernard Telsey Casting gotten by my agent. The inside joke about getting case in Rent is that once you have auditioned 10 times, you have a shot! I guess I filled the quota!
