Dear Evan Hansen || Carmel Rodrigues

The Fame Reporter interviewed powerhouse performer, Carmel Rodrigues starring as the assertive and vulnerable Alana Beck in the highly anticipated new musical Dear Evan Hansen. The show is playing at Melbourne’s Playhouse Theatre, Arts Centre until 16 February.

‘DEAR EVAN HANSEN is the raw, moving and inspiring story of a socially anxious highschooler who is suddenly thrust into the spotlight when he inadvertently invents an important role for himself at the centre of a tragedy.’

Carmel’s credits and achievements include: Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray (Crossroads Live); Featured Ensemble in Ned (Plush Duck Productions). The Voice Season 5 (Nine Network), Australia’s Got Talent Guest Performer (Seven Network), Have You Been Paying Attention Guest Quizmaster (Ten Network). Sydney Theatre Award Nominated for Best Newcomer, Greenroom Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading role for a Musical.

We talked to Carmel about what it’s like working on Dear Evan Hansen that deals with serious themes, how she connected to the role of Alana, her dream musical and more.

Welcome to The Fame Reporter Carmel, what sparked your interest in performing initially?
Thank you so much for having me, I’m so excited. I guess I’ve always wanted to performing since I was a little girl and used to watch my sister at her ballet lessons. But I wanted to be a pop star.

When an audition came round at my school for hairspray with an all-boys school I just thought why not, I just want to sing. That’s really when my love for being on stage really began to soar.

I love being on stage under those lights and for giving my whole heart to the audience.

Can you share how you’ve approached playing Alana Beck in Dear Evan Hansen? What qualities of hers resonate most with you?
When I read the part of Alana I instantly connected to her as a person who really wants to connect with people but has a hard time knowing what to say or do.

Alana’s insecurities were very much like my own, so Alana in a sense is more me that a character that I’m playing.

What I really love about Alana is her resilience and weirdly how she is two faced. How she’s always so happy around everyone but internally she’s questioning if she is enough.

With Alana what you see is what you get and that’s honest and raw. She doesn’t know the consequences (as all young people) of her actions until it’s too late.

How does performing in a show like Dear Evan Hansen, which deals with serious themes, affect you emotionally or personally?
Well, at the beginning it was hard because it brought me back to my own high school experience, which was not a pleasant one, so I had a hard time separating the show from my life.

Some of the themes of the show are quite personal to me, but what really helped was having a lot of conversations with my family and my friends, and actually doing research on the themes so that I had a better knowledge and understanding on the subjects.

The cast is so incredible that we approached this script and score with the utmost respect and care. We spent a whole week on the table read.

What’s your favorite number to perform in the show, and why?
My favourite number to perform in the show is actually, “Good for You” because it is so technical from a singing point of view. Acting wise, you have to be in a certain physical state and so my vocal technique has to be different, and it was the most challenging song in rehearsal, but it is incredibly fun now. Also, I get to growl which I didn’t get to do in my other shows.

How has working on this production differed from your previous experiences, such as Hairspray or Ned?
Dear Evan Hansen (DEH) is such an emotionally charged, passionate and powerful show. Not to say that the others aren’t.

However, what separates DEH from the others is that you leave the show thinking how can you make yourself a better person and to understand that you are only human.

Hairspray has a serious topics as well, but has been said and shown in a way that is fun and enjoyable.

What did you learn during your training at the International Actors Masterclass in Los Angeles that you’ve found most valuable on stage?
If you’re ok with yourself acting like an idiot and not judging yourself because of it, then everyone else is on board.

What message do you think Dear Evan Hansen conveys to audiences, especially young people, and why is that important to you? Has the local audience’s reaction surprised or inspired you in any way?
Dear Evan Hansen when it was first introduced to me I was like finally a show where I feel seen and heard. Coming from a very small suburb and a very big family it’s easy to get overlooked. But “Waving through a window”, a song that finally describes how I’m feeling and can finally tell people this is what goes on in my head is incredible.

The audience reaction to me has been very surprising we are getting standing ovations almost every single show! I’ve been seeing grown men bawling their eyes out, it honestly shows me that I am not alone and will never be alone.

There are people out there who will understand you and know what you’re thinking. So, those are the key messages that are incredibly important.