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Actors must often undergo mental transformations to capture their characters’ essence. For her turn as Jan in the Walnut Street Theatre’s production of “Grease,” though, Tara Tagliaferro has needed only to be her naturally lively self.
“I’m completely in her shoes by bringing 100 percent of my identity to the role,” the 25-year-old said last week from her home on the 1200 block of Dickinson Street. “Jan is all about personality, so taking her on requires that I be in a great mood, which I usually am anyway.”
The thespian has been portraying the hit musical’s humorous yet frequently awkward member of the Pink Ladies since April, with a month at Florida’s Riverside Theatre serving as the first site of a two-location rendition. She has used her nearly lifelong infatuation with the show for motivation yet has often called on her individual makeup for sturdier guidance.
“I would definitely be Jan if I were a Pink Lady,” Tagliaferro said of the part she landed last June. “She’s a little self-conscious, shy and tomboyish, too, but she has this sense of humor and spirit that ring true with my comedic sensitivities.”
Establishing a tremendous rapport with the other female hires, including housemate and fellow Montclair State University product Rachel Camp as Pink Lady Marty, the Passyunk Square dweller, whom producers had initially called in to audition to become the even bubblier Pink Lady Frenchy, also has reveled in fully committing to her niche as a laugh inducer. That has meant continuing to believe in her comedic timing and understanding the physicality of her vocation. The latter has especially mattered for “Grease,” in which the fit performer plays an overweight Twinkie lover.
“It’s all in the name of making a connection with the character,” Tagliaferro said of having consumed dozens of the cakes. “Plus, it’s such a fun role, and I know that even if I’m having a horrible day, I have to drop it and convey her internal and external.”
The yoga practitioner has refrained from fretting over calories because the work has a frenetic second act she deemed “a cardio workout.” Dealing with friendship, love and resolve, the original creation has charmed patrons since 1971 and will keep Tagliaferro blending its elements and bits from the eponymously titled ’78 film through July 21.
“I would say it’s a nice melting pot version of the two,” she said. “Many come to relive their youth, so we’re not trying to damage the integrity of anything, especially the songs.”
For Tagliaferro, fond of referring to herself as “a big kid,” chances to revisit the past have rekindled childhood aspirations for the limelight.
“I would definitely like to be more of a leading lady in the future,” she said. “Now, I’m sort of a best friend, but I could be in an ensemble and still have the time of my life.”
Akin to her stage persona at the 209-year-old venue, Tagliaferro has slipped past timid times along the path to procuring professional assignments. The Middlesex, N.J. native early on developed bonds with time-tested performers, creators and opuses such as Shirley Temple, George Gershwin and “Singin’ in the Rain,” respectively, leading mother Sharon Tagliaferro to suggest she audition for elementary school presentations. Becoming “a bit of a ham,” she watched her anxiety dwindle and remained in the Garden State for her collegiate preparation, earning a musical theater degree, performance accolades and an acting apprenticeship at the Walnut Street Theatre. The third component saw her serve as a main stage and studio season understudy, cast member for two Kids Series productions, a touring Outreach Company enlistee responsible for entertaining about 54,000 Delaware Valley region students and a Theater School youth classes teacher.
“I loved that the Walnut let me work with children because I picked up so many ways to relate to them,” Tagliaferro said. “They were so fearless and amazingly confident and positive, which will benefit them if they decide to enhance their talent.”
Always primed to improve her own presence and teeming with abundant confidence gained through her apprenticeship, she intensified her relationship with her current employer by appearing in 2011’s “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra.” Enamored with the City of Brotherly Love, she moved from Center City to South Philly the same year and has lent her passion to entities such as 1812 and Mazeppa productions — the former giving her Center City workshop time for her solo cabaret “I Can’t Read Music!” and the latter offering its Old City stage for last year’s local debut— the EgoPo Classic Theatre and the Society Hill Playhouse.
“There’s such a terrific theater community in Philadelphia, and it inspires me in so many ways, especially in going after my dreams,” Tagliaferro said. “I feel blessed to have opportunities to improve my skills and offer audiences a glimpse into my creative existence.”
She will take a hiatus from her clique come the fall, as she will portray Mama Who in the national production of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” for the second-straight season. The tour appeals to her aspirations for enhanced treatments of school-age material, including a desire to pen a children’s musical. Also planning to honor Tin Pan Alley tunes by forming a cabaret society, Tagliaferro finds herself in the tantalizing position of loving renowned works and hoping to add to her field’s gems. No matter what her efforts bare, she knows pursuing will always outdo pondering.
“I feel I get better with each audition and show,” Tagliaferro said, “and if I can give one bit of advice to kids, it would be that sometimes you really need to listen to your parents. I’m proof that with a bit of encouragement, anyone can achieve.”
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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