Barrington actress holds down roles in 2 shows at Drury Lane Oak Brook
Barrington-based actress Caitlainne Gurreri is currently living a life many actors covet: She is in two shows, both being performed in the same theater, Drury Lane Oakbrook.
Gurreri is in the chorus for Drury Lane's production of "Ragtime" (running through May 23) and she is playing the brainy Taylor McKessie in "High School Musical" (opening Saturday, April 3, and running through May 22).
That means, on some days, when there are two performances of "Ragtime," as there are on Saturdays, Gurreri can spend 11 hours or more in the theater.
"On Saturday I was in rehearsal for 'High School Musical' from 12 to 3:30," Gurreri says. "Then we had a show at 5 and another show at 8:30. I am glad we don't have an especially huge break on Saturday. I have a lot of adrenaline and that way I don't crash."
Not that Gurreri is complaining. Performing is all this 23-year-old wants to do.
"I started dancing when I was 3," Gurreri says. "I am originally from Buffalo, N.Y., and I always wanted to be a Rockette. But I found out there is a height requirement. And when I figured out I wasn't going to be tall enough, I changed my plans."
Gurreri's family moved to Barrington when she was in middle school. "My mom made me audition for my first musical when I was in the 8th grade," Gurreri says, "It was 'Godspell' at the St. Anne Community Theater in Barrington. I was so nervous I didn't want to do it. I sang 'Happy Birthday.'"
Gurreri was cast in the show. "The minute the rehearsal process began," Gurreri says, "I knew this is what I wanted to do."
A graduate of St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Gurreri went to Loyola University of Chicago to study theater.
She began working in shows in Chicago during her sophomore year and has assembled an impressive resume. In addition to Drury Lane Oakbrook, she has worked at Porchlight Music Theatre and Congo Square Theatre Ensemble in Chicago and Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, among others.
"I love the Chicago theater community," Gurreri says, "Chicago theater lets you take chances and it is inviting to new, young actors. Chicago has been very welcoming to me."
At Drury Lane Oakbrook, Gurreri has a small part in a big show - with its huge cast and impressive staging, Drury Lane's production of "Ragtime" is truly epic - and a larger part in a much smaller show.
"I am the very smart brainiac in 'High School Musical,'" Gurreri says. Taylor McKessie is the girl who tries to persuade Gabriella to only participate in the clubs the smart kids are in (and give up the idea of being in the musical with Troy).
"I understudied this role for the Marriott production," Gurreri says. "I knew it. I unfortunately never got to go on. It makes me so happy I finally get a chance to do the role."
"To play Taylor McKessie, I am embracing the nerdy part of me," Gurreri says. "Everyone knew the person in high school who was working so hard and wanted to get into college. They were so focused. I used my memory of those people to create Taylor. She is very book smart, but she has a heart."
And like Gurreri herself, McKessie is very busy - and successful at what she does.
• "High School Musical" opens Saturday, April 3, and runs through May 22 at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. "Ragtime" runs through May 23 at the same theater. For tickets, call the theater at (630) 530-0111 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.