Emily Kay Shrader, a fresh college graduate, received a phone call last May that immediately had her excited. This phone call would change her career path as an aspiring actress.
Last spring, during her senior year at Marymount Manhattan College, Shrader was cast for the role of Sister Mary Robert, an unassuming postulant in the national Broadway tour of “Sister Act.”
“I had always hoped to get to perform in a national tour, but I definitely wasn’t certain that it would happen,” Shrader said. “After I got the call, I group texted my mom, dad and brother and said I’m becoming ?a nun.”
She will join her fellow “nuns” in the show at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the IU Auditorium.
The musical comedy follows former nightclub singer Deloris as she pretends to be a nun after a mob boss puts her on his hit list for witnessing a murder. She agrees to lead the ?convent’s choir, and she develops friendships with the other nuns while hiding from the mob boss.
Having previous experience in main stage productions, Shrader said touring is an extremely different experience.
“Every theater is different, so sometimes we need to alter our show or just change a few things to best serve the place that we’re in,” Shrader said. “We’re always working with new, local crew members and dressers. You meet a lot of people being on the road as opposed to being in just one spot.”
Shrader said she enjoys the new stages every night and the collaboration of the cast.
“I hope that (atmosphere) ?translates to the audience and uplifts their spirit,” she said. “I think a big theme of the show is family and spreading the love around.”
Shrader studied theater arts with a musical theater minor.
As a recent graduate, she offered advice to aspiring musical theater majors to keep an open mind about the ?business.
“I think that a lot of people have one specific goal, like they only want to do Shakespeare acting or tap dance,” Shrader said.
“Just keep your options open and learn as much as you can, not only as a human being but also as a performer, because it can only help you. From there, that will help you find what you’re super ?passionate about.”
Kaitlyn Smith, an IU junior and musical theater major, said what makes “Sister Act” so recognizable and interesting to the audience is the pure ridiculousness of the show.
“Anything that’s a little bit crazy, people are going to want to watch because it’s different than what they see in their daily lives,” Smith said. “It’s not the only nun musical, but it’s this idea of having a ridiculous concept and having it on stage.”
Smith has performed in four shows at IU and choreographed three other productions. She said audiences love shows like “Sister Act” because of its over-the-top nature.
“The thing about ‘Sister Act’ and a lot of comedic musicals is that they are really there to have a good time,” Smith said. “It is one that can fall under if it’s done wrong, then it can be over the top, but if it’s done right then it can be really witty and funny.”
Maria K. Talbert, associate director at IU Auditorium, said in an email they are thrilled to host its Bloomington debut.
“‘Sister Act’ is one of the most entertaining musicals Broadway has seen in recent years,” Talbert said. “It is uplifting, hilarious and filled with incredible music.”
