Aubrey Davis, a Sonoma native, will be playing the role of “Shelley” in the national tour of “Hairspray.”
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When Aubrey Davis recently landed the role of Shelley in the national tour of “Hairspray,” reaction from family, friends and neighbors was fairly consistent— “of course she did.” Davis, a 22-year-old Sonoma native has always been one of the nicest kids in this town but when she moved to New York City just three months ago, being the “new girl in town” wasn’t as scary as she thought. After just two months, Davis auditioned and was called back several times for both the roles of Tracy Turnblad and Penny Pingleton and was eventually cast in the role of Shelley, one of the Corny Collins Show regulars. “I am really excited and nervous,” said Davis. “I’m also the understudy for Tracy Turnblad and I hope I get a chance to play her. It’s such a great cast.”
“It’s a great story about racial integration, believing in yourself even if you’re different, following your dreams. I haven’t tried Tracy’s fat suit on yet but I’m sure I’ll have a chance.”
Before resolving to move to New York, Davis studied the Meisner technique with Northern California-based acting teacher Jim Jarrett for over a year. “He really encouraged me to do this. The entire class was such a support network for me. Jim pushed me to follow this dream,” she said. Davis had just finished her Associates Degree at Santa Rosa Junior College and was teaching dance at Santa Rosa Dance Theater when she decided it was time to head out East.
Davis may be new to the Big Apple but she’s no stranger to live theater. From August 2004 through June 2005 Davis was on the road with Sesame Street Live in the role of Zoe. “Sesame Street Live was amazing. It made me understand why I really love the experience of live theater. You can change someone’s life for a day, make a child happy. I loved that.”
Davis says despite her small-town provenance, she received all the training she needed from Sonoma’s community of acting, dancing and music teachers. A Broadway Bound Kid alumna, Davis played the parts of Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz,” Annie, the Artful Dodger in “Oliver” and Peter Pan under Paulino Duran and Jeanne Borcheldt. “Paulino taught me how to take ownership of a role, to keep going if lines were dropped. I learned a lot from BBK,” she said. While studying ballet under Gina Ness at the Sonoma Ballet Conservatory, Davis had the opportunity to play Hilda in “Copelia” and Claire in “The Nutcracker.” One of her most memorable roles was the White Witch in a local production of “Narnia,” one of the few occasions on which the angelic Davis played a villain. “I loved that role. Both villains and heroes have their lessons to teach.”
Davis says the first live theater production she ever saw remains close to her heart. “When I was three, my Nanna took me to see Peter Pan. She used to read the story to me all the time and told me that if I ever doubted myself, all I had to do was clap my hands and believe. I still do that. It works for me and it reminds me of her.” Davis says her mother and father, brother and sister have been her most devoted fans. “I’m so lucky to have the family I have.”
“Hairspray” will come to Northern California in January and February, though perhaps no closer to Sonoma than Cupertino. For more information go to www.hairsprayontour.com.
