Meet Lucy!

We love to celebrate the wonderful steps our TRAIN students are making in their careers. This spring, we’re celebrating Lucy Caudle, the 13-year old powerhouse who’s been gracing the Virginia Rep stage these past few weeks as Alexa in Atlantis. With one year of TRAIN under her belt, Lucy has used her training, fervor, and natural talent to gain rave reviews from theatre critics as the young, precocious Atlantean.

As Atlantis prepares to close this weekend, Lucy shared some thoughts for us about her experience with the show, TRAIN, and the exciting things to come for her.

How did you get started acting?
I’ve always been acting – whether it’s home videos or Spanish skits, to onstage performances. My first show, though, was a good starting point. It was a small community production and my choir director needed a kid for Young Cosette in Les Miserables. The only acting I had done before was in front of my bathroom mirror, but as a seven year old I was ecstatic for something new. From there I flew into other shows and the rest is history.

What is your favorite thing about TRAIN?
There’s a lot to love about TRAIN, but I think my favorite thing about it is the mutual respect that circulates within its walls. In the rehearsal room, I’m free to explore my voice, style, and emotion without being judged by any coach or student. I’ve developed as an actor and as a team player through constructive criticism and support from my peers and teachers.

What has been your favorite role so far?
Although I love playing Alexa in Atlantis, being Annie last winter was a dream come true. Whenever an actor takes on a character, a little bit of the actor infuses herself into the character and a bit of the character penetrates the actor. Annie was amazing because I inherited her endless energy and optimism when I most needed it, while also being challenged by the vocal rollercoaster ride of the role.

What is your dream role?
I don’t have a dream role, but rather an ideal persona. I love to play characters with layers of creative strength, but also flaws they learn to overcome or live with. This puts me in the ballpark of curious, young thinkers who appreciate the world like it is and problem solve their way through it.

Favorite thing about your Atlantis character?
What’s intriguing about Alexa is her true understanding of the world around her that rides alongside her open-minded amazement, even though she isn’t always center stage. Watching from the sidelines as Alexa fills me with this incredible feeling because each day I have the privilege of diving into others’ emotions and picking apart the world anew. Her youthful enthusiasm (and occasional exasperation) of the world around her is everlasting.

How have you used tools from TRAIN in Atlantis?
I’m an over analyst in general, and I even overthink acting. What I’ve learned from TRAIN is the genuine simplicity of life and how to act in a humane, normal way. This has helped me build a connection with the audience and my fellow actors onstage. Not only does this enrich my acting, but it also helps me understand human nature—and I’ve grown as a person because of it.

What’s next after Atlantis closes?
I have so much time to learn at this age: I’m going to a New York City intensive called Broadway Artists Alliance, this fall I’m in Cadence and Virginia Rep’s Parade, and I’m always soaking in everything I can from the world around me. It has been an honor working with these mentors onstage in Atlantis, and I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned from them and TRAIN to take a step forward to new opportunity.

Auditions for TRAIN 2019-20 will be held Saturday, June 8th, 2019, 1 – 5 p.m. at the November Theatre. For questions or to request an audition slot, please contact Laine Satterfield, TRAIN Program Director, at lainesatterfield7@gmail.com.