Daniel Does DFW Theater
Take a listen as Daniel interviews local DFW Theater artists on... Daniel Does DFW Theater! Watch this Vodcast at: www.youtube.com/@danieldoesdfw
Daniel Does DFW Theater
Age of Aquarius (with Natassia Dominique)
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Join us as we sit down with the powerhouse of the DFW theater scene, Natassia Dominique. Embark on a journey from her humble beginnings singing in church to the electric energy of high school stages, and onto the demanding yet rewarding roles in shows like "Little Shop" and "Aida." Natassia's unwavering dedication and infectious positivity have left an indelible mark on the community, and you'll hear how her unique rhythm and commitment to creating a welcoming space have shaped her illustrious career.
The spotlight shines on the craft of character development when Natassia recounts her experiences with two substantial roles: Nettie in "The Color Purple" and Marley in "A Christmas Carol" at DTC. Discover the behind-the-scenes magic and the personal growth that accompanies such layered performances, as well as the invaluable influence of mentors. We also peel back the curtain on the more humorous side of the industry, from dance call fumbles to revelations found in the moving, yet lesser-known musical "Edges."
As our conversation draws to a close, we reflect on the heartbeat of theater — the enduring bonds and shared stories that make each production more than just a show. We pay homage to the cherished Jason Hallman, whose spirit continues to inspire the DFW theater community. We'll also touch on the practical challenges actors face, from nail-biting dance routines to the occasional wardrobe hiccup, without forgetting the pure delight that comes from pursuing personal artistic ventures. Tune in and be inspired by the collective celebration of art, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams right here in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Creative Team: Daniel Hernandez, Amanda Sims, Natalie Hinds, & Aly Badalamenti
Music By: Elise Wattman
If you want to catch all the action, you can watch the full episode video at YouTube.com/@DanielDoesDFW. Follow us on Instagram and Tik Tok: @DanielDoesDFW
Natassia Dominique
Speaker 1Hey guys, and welcome back to Daniel Does DFW Theater, welcome back to the next episode of Funness, where we talk about nothing but theater, be it musical or otherwise, whatever type of theater Straight, I wouldn't know, because I'm not. So on today's show I have an amazing person. I can't wait for you to meet them. I've been super lucky that I've had all these awesome guests every single one of them Amazing. But you might have seen this person on stage in the color purple, maybe at DTC, you know, with some Christmas Carol or I can't wait to talk about that, you know, or even some other things around town that we're going to talk about. But today I have the amazing Natasja. Hi Everyone, so tell them your full name, please.
Speaker 2My name is Natasja Dominique. I'm an artist, multi-hyphenate here and DFW and hopefully to go beyond soon. Wonderful, and your pronouns are she, her she, her Wonderful, um, thanks.
Speaker 1So let's get right into some of the discussion. First off, thank you for being on the show. Yeah, I love it. I um, I just think you're such a light in our community. Uh, I've never heard you say anything negative about someone. I've never heard you. I've never heard a negative thing about you, right, you know, except that you're a bitch, but that was out of my own mouth, so never mind.
Speaker 1But you're just this positive influence in our community that I really appreciate, and so that was one of the main reasons that I was like I need this person on our show as well, because yeah, every room you step into, not only are you positive, but you also have this professionalism about you that you bring, and so I I really enjoyed that about you and so yeah, but let's back it up a little bit and talk about the history of Natassia.
Speaker 3Yeah.
Speaker 1Tell me, did you grow up here in the area?
Speaker 2Yeah, so I was born and raised here in Dallas, went to private school like all throughout elementary and middle school and then went to public school at Berkner High School in Richardson, and so I've always done theater. Like I grew up singing in church, that was like my very earliest memories of singing and then I would do school plays and everything and at school and everything. And then in high school was when I really started to take the theater thing seriously.
Speaker 1Nice. What show was it that started you out? Do you remember?
Speaker 2maybe your first show, my first show in high school was Guys and Dolls and I was in the ensemble. I know I know that show and then we did, we got it like. I had like a total of three theater teachers in high school, but I remember specifically the second one I had, miss Haley. She came my sophomore year and just the way she had such an appreciation for the art form and just for acting and the craft, it really really inspired me, even though it was something I've always wanted to do, was like acted film and um, but just with theater, she just really just cracked me open, um and inspired me yeah, because I really do think that you kind of go to the beat of your own drum.
Speaker 1Yes, right, you. You aren't about saying doing what everybody else does or anything at all. You're kind of like this is how I'm doing it, and so I can see high school Natasja being like where do I fit in? But that safe space of theater and a teacher like that to bring you in is just so helpful yes so that's awesome and then so you are from here in the area and then I know you went off to college in the future yeah.
Speaker 2So I went to Texas State for one semester and it was like their production performance. It's almost kind of like a BA in theater, because I stupidly only auditioned for two musical theater programs when I was in the process of, and so I don't know, I was just very hopeful that I would get into these schools and I got callbacks but I didn't get in. So my friend, taylor, taylor Nash hey, girl, we were, you know, we kind of were in the same situation and so we did production performance and you know, while we were there, like all the classes went to all the mt and the bfa acting students. First I was just kind of like paying to go to college, um, just to take math, like college algebra. So I was like I just need to come home and just kind of find my bearings and just figure things out. So I came home, I did a show at colin college, um, and then I was just kind of I don't know, I just kind of was done with theater for a little bit or just needed a break.
Speaker 2So I took two years off and I was at that time I was really focused on music and other things. And then I auditioned. I saw Aida was having auditions at Firehouse, or Firehouse was having auditions for Aida, and so I auditioned there. Didn't think you know anything of it, but I just kind of just wanted to get back into it and that was it. That kind of locked me back in. Yeah, ensemble role In the ensemble. Yeah.
Speaker 1Lovely, which I know because you recently also did Aida.
Speaker 2Yeah, I did.
Speaker 1As well, where you got to play. Ne play Nehevka Such a beautiful role.
Speaker 2I know she's a princess track.
Speaker 1Aida's a princess but Nehevka she's a princess. That song is just goodness yes. That whole song is just beautiful. And the way that you impersonated that character.
Speaker 3Wonderful.
Speaker 1But yeah, I heard a lot of other people who were in that production that there was like an original Aida group and then like some of y'all were able to.
Speaker 2Yeah, it was really cool being able to revisit the work and being able to help Sasha's vision come alive, and it's just always different or fun to kind of just play. Yeah, even with different directors.
Speaker 1yeah yeah, to see their take on it yeah, I think is really what's fun for us actors is that it's different every single time. We do the same production, yes, so, um, and no matter how we put it on, I think. So, going back to so you did that production and I remember the first time that I saw you on stage it was at Peter Arlington um, I had no idea who you were really and I was like, oh, I've never heard of this person, but just the amount of like presence that you had on the stage, as well as, uh, one of the backup singers, michelle yeah, shout out to michelle, michelle and jayden was the other hilarious yes, just as uh, but I mean, y'all had uh maisha to work with.
Speaker 2Yes, which was I love maisha. She's another person in this uh community that is just like. She just shows up as herself, always ready to work, but like just very, you know, genuine as well.
Speaker 1So which um that was in sister act yep, sister, yeah, she played Dolores, and y'all were Michelle and Tina yes, uh but that show I mean just, I just remember y'all coming out, it was like red dresses no no, no, yes, and every y'all gave me, y'all gave me shoulder. It was time. I don't know who choreographed that, was it?
Speaker 2mark.
Speaker 1No, it was uh nicole jamie, nicole, yeah yeah, and I mean everything was just like with it. Yes, the face all of that. And so I am in hitting those harmonies, because that's that whole little section at the beginning is kind of difficult, and then I think you doubled up as a nun as well yes um, when she goes to the convent, but that was such a fun show that, uh, I thought you know, I was like oh my okay, so then from there. After you did Firehouse, what other projects did you? So?
Speaker 2So my first few shows back into the theater world were Firehouse shows, okay, and I auditioned for things and a few things and came close, but I don't know, I just kind of took my time. Let's see, I did Aida, I did Once on this Island, which was another experience that I remember.
Speaker 1So Jason Solis was in that right. Yes, Jason Solese wasn't that. Yeah, oh my gosh. Yeah, because he played the.
Speaker 2Oh my gosh, why can't I remember her name, Mother?
Speaker 3not Mother Earth? What is her name?
Speaker 2Asaka Agrobi there it is. Asaka.
Speaker 3I had to sing it she's singing. Alex Newell played the yes Asaka, yes, so good.
Speaker 1Oh, when they sang on the Tonys. Yes.
Speaker 2And still hit that note. I know, and they were sick, I know.
Speaker 1Wild, I know, I'm sure Jason hit it every single night. Yes, because, jason, how do you sing For real? How, for real? Where does it come from? Can you teach me twin, please? Yeah, but yeah, what role did you play?
Speaker 2I was a storyteller in that one and then I was understudied for Ursula. But being a storyteller in that show is so fun. Like you, you never leave the stage, so it's kind of like a very much so a marathon of a show and we're helping um, just like drive the story along. It's very physical, like a lot of times where are the trees or where the the birds or the frogs? Yeah, it was really. It was really cool.
Speaker 1So we were backstage like maybe twice to like change, but we were so not, no, no so, note to self, do not be a storyteller no, be a storyteller no, and again, I think that that's something you do so well is, uh, tell a story, right?
Speaker 1I think? Even in the times that I've heard you sing, the times that I've heard you sing, the times that I've heard you on or seen you on stage, you do a really good job of like connecting with the audience, and that's why I enjoy it so much. Speaking of connecting with the audience, we're about to scoot over. So I have not seen Once on this Island, just like I have never seen this next show that we're going to have you sing from, but we're going to have you sing from, but we're going to scoot over into you doing some singing for the guests. How do you feel about that?
Speaker 2I'm excited. I'm ready to sing. I love to sing. Music is my first love.
Speaker 1Can you imagine I had you on the show? She hates singing actually.
Speaker 2I guess I'm singing these little songs.
Beautiful - Marie Christine
Speaker 1Little songs. Wait until you hear these songs. No, I'm going to be sweating in just a minute. Y'all just look at my look for my face. Sweating everything off, I probably lose three pounds before the next segment, don't worry. Yeah, just wait for it. All right, so let's get over to the piano and let's sing some songs. See you in a bit. I'm excited that they finally get to hear you sing.
Speaker 2Yes, I'm so excited.
Speaker 1Wonderful. I had never even heard of this musical before. Is it a musical? Is it an opera?
Speaker 2Yeah, it's a musical. It's one of Audra's earlier roles, new works I can't remember if she was nominated for a Tony for this.
Speaker 1We all love Audra. Yes, Queen, Audra Queen honestly, yes, she is like. I feel like she's the Patti LuPone of our time.
Speaker 2Sometimes, she has just come back and will do every single role.
Speaker 1Awesome. Okay, so this is from.
Speaker 2This is from Beautiful or, excuse me, it's from Marie Christine, and it's called Beautiful. And Marie Christine is seeing her lover for the first time and she is just taken and smitten by his presence and it kind of even foreshadows that it's not going to be good for her in the long end. But she's just kind of soaking in this moment and indulging how fine this man is all right.
Speaker 1Well, let's give him some beautiful.
Speaker 3He was a stranger, he was lost up in Pontchartrain, said he was looking for a pretty smile. Did I oblige? I oblige? A little voice said danger. But it was Sunday in Pontchartrain, I was fitting myself down in Blue Rose Park. He comes by, wrinkled shirt, piece of work, eye of light, unified Eye of light, beautiful. I've never seen such beautiful. I've never seen such arrogance, I've never seen such loneliness. He comes around so powerful. I've never felt so powerless, I've never seen such beautiful. And then I'm looking at him.
Segment 2
Speaker 1Just to have our Vonda mentioned for this episode. I know I couldn't play that last song, Vonda, I get it. It was bad.
Speaker 3I know Don't be nodding your head, I'm sorry, like no tea no shade but this is good practice for you.
Speaker 2I told you that I love you, though I'm sorry.
Speaker 1This is good practice I don't play piano yes, you do I fake my way through it, but daniel dan plays piano. That's my next podcast.
Speaker 3Daniel doesn't play piano.
Speaker 1All I do is just randomly play things. Okay, that song, oh my god. Speaking of beautiful, we talked about Audra is a queen. I love her in everything that she does and I love that she's really because she is classically trained. So, and I love as a classically and I love that she's really cause she is classically trained, yeah, so, and I love as a classically trained person, I love being able to and I mean and I think you also have- a very classical sounding voice at times you have that.
Speaker 2Don't get me wrong, because I did choir in high school and I very much so have like an appreciation like for that style of singing. I wish I was able to sing in it more like I wish the NW did more shows. It's there, yeah, no, no, yeah.
Speaker 1I wish, yeah, definitely that opera style yeah, that legit yeah, you, you have some of that presence in your voice that like I'm like, oh, but no, you can also, girl can belt. Do you know how I know you can belt. When I saw you in the color purple, would you believe and I don't think I was ready. I really don't think I was ready Because, like I said, all I had the other thing I'd seen you in and like singing you know another song here or there. You were very like light and like reserved in your voice even, but you were able to let loose with Nettie a little bit, yeah, and it the way that it sat in your voice. Beautiful you, thank you, belted like some of those notes out that were like b's and C's.
Speaker 2Aw, thank you.
Speaker 1And I was just like Jesus, mary and Joseph, like I. I like that whole production was beautiful, but you stole a lot of the moments for me.
Speaker 2Thank you, I really loved getting to play Nettie and like originally when I went in for the comic book I wasn't going in for Nettie because, I don't know, I just I don't. I didn't initially see myself as an Nettie like more of like a Shug or like maybe even Sophia. So in my audition they were like what do you know about Nettie? And I was like I don't really know much about her, but I just know a little bit of her song and like I sing our program auditions and next thing, you know I got the offer email, um.
Speaker 2But I loved getting to play Nettie and I feel like people kind of look at her, as you know, being the, the sweet, the, the pretty sister, um, but there is a strength about her. She just kind of expresses it. You know um in a different way and you know Celie has her journey, um, but you don't really get to see much of Nettie's until like act two when she talks about her journey, and so you know she had. She had a hard time too. You know she was separated from her sister as well and went through trauma of you know, having a shitty Can I cuss yeah, I'm sorry Having a, you know, a shitty ass, stepdad and stuff as well.
Speaker 1So you know, I never really thought about that and I would love to see, you know, really another take on that, really her story as well.
Speaker 2Wow, that opened up. I wish there was. I wish there was more because there's more of her journey in the book. I wish there was more because there's more of her journey in the book.
Speaker 3Oh, but in the musical.
Speaker 2They kind of consolidated her act two down to like eight minutes. Yeah, just to really think of.
Speaker 1I mean her moving all the way to Africa, right Just to, and then having to figure out that culture and life Right. And I mean what her, her house was burned like. Their whole village was yeah stuff like that.
Speaker 1Yeah, that really wow. Yeah, to think and I love that you really thought about that and now that I think about it, you, you showed that journey and that maturity really in your acting and singing, right from the moment that you were that pretty girl. You know, at the very beginning of the show, all the way to this is me now, you know, uh, wow, yeah, no, I I love when we really delve into a character and we try to embody it as much as we can and, like I said, I think you did that well thank you uh, so, uh, that is one of my favorite and I think would you say that's one of your favorite roles that you've played so far.
Speaker 2I think so far, like I. I remember when I finished a show, like my mom and I were talking and I was like I just feel like I'm not done with Maddie. So hopefully one day I'll get to revisit that role and like just to just go even deeper and, you know, expand even more, like with her, with her sound as well. Cause, how old are you now? I'm 27. I just turned 27 on valentine's day.
Speaker 1Oh, yeah, you were still young. Yeah, you could definitely play that role. Yeah, again in the future. Uh, speaking of roles and regardless of age, honestly, when you played Marley, at. Dtc. I let me tell you I didn't know how to feel at the beginning, because I was like, really yeah, this is the take that we're doing on it.
Speaker 2That's how.
Speaker 1I was too, because I wasn't called back initially for Marley.
Speaker 2I was called back. I think for for Belle, for, like the Lucy. Bell track so like, and I didn't, I didn't read for Marley or Mondress, like once. So I got the offering email and I was like oh, I was like wait a minute. I was like Marley, jacob Marley. I was like okay, I mean it's DTC, so yes, so I loved it, just the way that I mean it's DTC.
Speaker 1So, yes, I loved it just the way that I mean, and getting to work with again don't make me say it, sally freaking Sally Vale.
Speaker 2She's incredible. So there was like a little bit of that pressure to like playing her like the younger version of Marley, but I was just so taken by her performance every single night backstage changing, and then just also like listening to her and it was so nuanced as well, every night as well.
Speaker 1She, just she's incredible yeah, no, and I again. I love that we're able to learn yeah from people like her and really you were able probably to capture some character from her as well. So tell me about your DTC experience. How did it feel to do a big girl show as?
Speaker 2I say like it felt I thought. I have always known that like I was going to work there. It's always been a dream and a goal of mine. I just didn't anticipate it happening. When it did, it just kind of I don't know. It just kind of like happened and just not not that it fell into my lap because I've been, you know, working hard, but they just I don't know I it just kind of like happened and just not not that it fell into my lap because I've been, you know, working hard, but they just I don't know.
Speaker 2I just feel like there's like an ebb and flow in life and like just kind of how there was an ease, in a sense, to the process. But working at DTC, seeing all the work there, is another like formative experience for me in terms of like why I wanted to do theater. I think my first show of seeing, or seeing my, my first show that I saw there was Joseph and I was like whoa, like this is the level of theater that we're doing here in Dallas, like sign me up, um, but it was just incredible getting to work there and, um, I actually so that was back in 2022. And also got to do it again in 2023. We did a remount of Christmas Carol, so and hopefully we might.
Speaker 1Maybe I don't know wouldn't that be great, maybe we'll see, stop tea anyway, some good wine. Um. So, speaking of um big girl shows the was the experience I really did um and that was.
Speaker 2I feel like I've done a lot of shows twice, but I did. I played audrey in high school, my senior year, so it was really cool getting to um return to the show and and like in a professional setting. And it was just that music is so fun to sing, like when you're an urchin, when you're ronette crystal or chiffon, I mean you are just falls to the walls belting your face off. So it was a challenge as well, um, like having that control and like being able to like sound like a unit with like two um other girls. But it was really fun getting to do that, yeah the harmonies are tight on some of those.
Speaker 1Yeah, which one were you? I was crystal. Okay, I'm trying to think which solo crystal has so originally.
Speaker 2Crystal has a yes but they kind of just switched it around, just um, just to showcase us differently. So my I? Um opened up the show with a shing-a-ling what a creepy thing, and then the ending, the subsequent to the end, which is one of my favorite parts in the show.
Speaker 1I don't know my favorite part I always wanted to be Chiffon. Sit down, chiffon, go and sing for you Right. All the world used to screw him Big wham pal.
Speaker 3Always wanted to be Chiffon.
Speaker 1I also like, like dessert, so maybe that's. That was something, yeah um so but, uh, I feel like you've had so many great experiences, made so many good friends, uh, through all those shows, um, you know, do you feel that you're really making good connections and I really do, um, and that's something that I strive to do, like even outside of theater, like my friends.
Speaker 1My friendships are really, really important to me and just keeping a really healthy core and circle of people that I just know without, without a doubt, that are for me and are in my corner, and then someone I can be that to them as well, you know the reason I wanted to mention that and touch on that a little bit was just because I know that someone from the company the color purple recently passed away and it made me just really want to make us realize and come back around that you know we really are a family. It hurt us right right as a community altogether from the death of Jason Hallman and I don't know how close y'all were.
Speaker 2So we I got the opportunity to perform with him during AIDA and then during the Color Purple, so you know we always kind of kept in touch and he was always. He was such a dreamer and he had so many ideas as he was in the process of being able to do some really cool things, even in his last moments that he was still talking about, like with the little breath that he had left, talking about all the plans that he, that he had and that he had set out to do, and it's just, it's really inspiring. I hate that he wasn't, is not able to be here physically to see those things come into fruition, but I know that as a community and as friends that will carry on his legacy, um, and carry on that, that vigor and fight.
Speaker 1Good yeah. I really hope y'all do, cause he, he really was a force within the community and just so kind. Yeah, really.
Speaker 2Honestly, just always I mean sometimes to a fault, but put himself, others, or put himself or put others before himself.
Speaker 1No, I had only met him twice, and one time it was at this random karaoke night.
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 1And I sing. And he just came up to me and goes you can sing. I was like, oh, thank you.
Speaker 2But like it was the grab and it was like the sincere very genuine yes.
Speaker 1And the next time I saw him, which was after the color purple remembered my name like came up to me goes, hi Daniel like was able to talk with me, so just a very genuine person.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1Did you come opening night of that? Yeah, I remember what he had on too.
Speaker 1Yes, yes, yes, yes, he was not, he looked good, was not afraid of what anybody would say, and that's what I love about him as well, um, but yeah, just stay very sincere. I mean just that conversation I remember and him telling me about some of the plans that uh, he had in store, but it was just I think his death was kind of a wake-up call to me that sometimes when we do shows, we end those shows and we forget and we're like, oh, we're a community, we'll see them at the next show or whatever.
Speaker 2But you really do take for granted the connections that you and theater is like such a special thing, like I don't know. It's like you're making friends and making connections, but you're also like doing it through art, which is already like another level of vulnerability and openness that you have to have. So I feel like it really makes way for you to make those connections. But you know, life gets busy and sometimes you just it's a lot to keep up with. But we do kind of take for granted like being in proximity with each other while we're under like or in a contract.
Speaker 2So it just makes you think like yeah, just to really cherish those that are near and dear to you no, because literally they're every single day right and I.
Speaker 1What I like to say is, when we're doing a show, we see our castmates more than we see our family yeah right, just because that's what it's. So they become our family in a sense.
Speaker 1I mean most of the people in this room they're helping me with this project are people that I've met in shows or through shows. Um, you know, most of the people that are following me with this project are people that I've met in shows or through shows. Most of the people that are following me on social media are because of shows or other shows. So appreciative of that and want to make sure that we continue that.
Lying There - Edges
Speaker 1Speaking of continuing things, I want us to also continue hearing you sing. So we're going to move on to really one of my favorite songs, and so we'll talk about it. A to really one of my favorite songs, and so we'll talk about it a little bit here. In a little bit let's get over to the piano. I just want you to know that if there was like a cult for this show or a song cycle or something like I would follow it to the ends of the earth. I love Edges.
Speaker 2Yeah.
Speaker 1So, and I don't think people know enough about it.
Speaker 2You know I, honestly speaking, I don't even people know enough about it. You know I, honestly speaking, I don't even know that much about it. Um, I was like I think in high school, or maybe fresh out of um, fresh after high school, I was like looking for just for audition music and I stumbled across this song and it just like, yeah, it just struck yeah, the whole.
Speaker 1I mean the fact that it's only four people, right and just. I wish that people would do it here more in the area. It's something that I really. It's on my to-do list of like that's something I want to do, but I think this song is beautiful and I heard you sing this Goodness.
Speaker 2That's when we first met, and I sang this yeah.
Speaker 1So I. As soon as it was on your list, I was like you have to do it.
Speaker 2So tell the people what you're doing and what it's from. So this is lying there from edges and, like I said, I don't know too much about the show um, I've just only heard certain songs. But, um, this is just full of honesty and it's just laying it all out on a platter. So this is lying there from edges she's gonna serve you that platter.
Segment 3
Speaker 3You have blue eyes and I love blue eyes. I love how you're six feet tall. I love how we wish God's really there and how we hate Christmas time at the mall and on the paper we're great and our stars are in light and it looks like it was all meant to be. But night after night I keep shutting my eyes and I try, but I find I can't sleep. I look at you and I'm there sleeping without me. I bet you never guessed how my restlessness just grows and how I want to shut my eyes and know the things you know. I can't sleep, I don't breathe, I don't know how. I wish I could wake you, I wish I could jolt you, I wish I could love you. But wishing I could love you Isn't really loving, I suppose. Look at you lying there. That was horrible.
Speaker 2Oh, I was in it with you. I was trying to keep it going, could you lie there.
Speaker 1That sounds so creepy. Now Look at you lie.
Speaker 3I know sounds so creepy.
Speaker 2Now I look at you I know it is coming to me she's passed out the drool, just right just all right beautiful so that was your mini audition.
Speaker 1Cut um, right. We just did a couple little bars for you. There's a whole song of that y'all, but we just did a couple bars. Have you actually ever used that in an audition?
Speaker 2Yeah, I did, Did you? I actually sang that I had to sing two songs for Maida and that was one of the songs I sang.
Speaker 1Wow, before we continue, let me backtrack a little bit. The time I heard natasja sing that song, we did something for uh, arlington isd um that we were called in for theater arlington. And when I tell you, I y'all I was singing stupid songs, like a hamilton song, and maddie sang like her own, like uh original song.
Speaker 1Natasja comes in and starts to track. I look at you like, and all the kids are like she's just singing her soul out and I'm like this girl can sing. So, yes, that that's what I was like. That's why I knew you had to sing it, like I said in this as well. But OK, so auditions. So you said that you've used this in auditions. Um, tell me, have you ever completely just bombed?
Speaker 2you know what I've bombed? Some dance calls and like I'm a, I'm a strong like, I'm a strong mover, like. I'm pretty aware of like, but baby, my one of my um college auditions at pace in new york, like it was just I think I was just overwhelmed like I'm pretty good at like picking up choreography. I didn't know that shit. When it came time to like, oh my gosh, it was. I just thinking back. I'm like getting like no, I it was to footloose and like like every single beat, every single, every single beat.
Speaker 2Had like a dance. I've seen you in the back of the room, jazz square, and I just remember like I just like, oh my gosh doing it, I couldn't keep up, I could not keep up. And I remember him having a pile of our audition or of our headshots and him going looking up and he saw me. He said okay, I was like okay, well, I will not be going to Pace University.
Speaker 1No, that was me at this last audition that we were both at and I knew. I knew in that moment that I bombed my dance call Cause.
Speaker 2I was like first of all, I thought I thought everybody did really well For real, Like that is. So sweet of you.
Speaker 3Thank you, I'm sorry. I remember watching you remind me I'm like okay, let's play the video.
Speaker 1There's no video, y'all.
Speaker 3Can you imagine if somebody had recorded that?
Speaker 1oh, my god, please do not send in a video. If you have that recorded, donovan, because I saw you recording at one point. Do not. Um no, I, I know that I bombed that dance call because there was nothing in the thing. Like ladies at least had a pre-recorded yeah and then then there was a smaller dance call right the guys.
Speaker 3It was like all right, now that you're done singing, you're gonna go, and step into the large room and there's gonna be a dance call and all of us were like what all of us like holding each other um.
Speaker 1But there's been big discussion about this. That now that I know that somebody else also doesn't like dance calls, but you did really, really well. There's been a discussion back and forth. Like you get the cold readings before you get the um scripts before the music before.
Speaker 2Why doesn't everybody send out a? Video of the dance. I think it's. I think it's because it's like what are y'all trying to test?
Speaker 1how well I retain, well, and here's the thing don't, and I'm coming for you choreographers right now, and it's not because we want to see how fast someone learns, because most productions you still have three or four weeks to learn it and I can study more time to learn and so, and I get cold reading sometimes, yeah you know all right, but you still have a couple minutes to like go through which process?
Speaker 1I guess that's the same as a dance call, but whatever right I they still give you script, they still give you music, but they don't give you a dance call video. So that's the same as a dance call, but whatever right, they still give you script, they still give you music, but they don't give you a dance call video. So that's one thing that I will, till the day I die, say give me a dance call video.
Speaker 2Maybe they do that to just make it easier to cut, because I mean, think about it okay.
Speaker 1But then you have great dancers, but are they good singers and actors?
Speaker 3that's true, that's true, and I'm not saying that's okay but that's, that's the thing.
Speaker 1Um. So, speaking of bad at things, um, I know that you had a bad little situation, oh my gosh, that I want to bring up because, let me tell you, when I asked tosia, can you spill some tea, she's like not on camera I don't do that, so this is the most tea I could get out of her. I'm going to take a big sip.
Speaker 2Okay. So Christmas Carol this past holiday season I don't know what was happening on that damn stage. What kind of juju, what kind of? I just feel like there were so many random moments and like mishaps that were happening with all of us but really with me. Like opening night I fell. I had never fallen before. I was like ebony's, your scrooge and it was like it was an exit into the audience fell.
Speaker 1I was like shit, what is that? That tiktok and then my head literally just happened.
Speaker 2Oh, I'm trying to think um the fezzy wick sequence, which is, like, I think, 13 minutes long, and that's like the main part where young marley is. She did like we don't leave the stage. So there's this part where, um esteban, where esteban I know I feel like every time something happens on stage with me, esteban is there, but Esteban is supposed to push me back because I'm trying to hook him up with what's her name? Belle, yeah, belle. And he pushes me back. He steps on my skirt and it like it rips and exposes my petticoat and I didn't notice because it's kind of like a chaotic moment and like so it rips. I hear a tear and I look down and I was like I'll be right back and then he was like where's she going?
Speaker 2I ran back stage and I was like, help, help, can somebody help me? And so like, and literally in a matter of seconds, because I had to go back on stage and like see, they like pinned it, pin, pin, pin, pin. And I was like our steward have provided this in honor of the king. It was insane, do?
Speaker 1you know why. Gay, was it customers? Or who was it backstage?
Speaker 2Yeah, it was our dressers and they were kind of looking at me like what's happening? Like why is she backstage? And I was like help help.
Speaker 2And then Haley shout out to Haley, I love Haley. Shout out to hayley, I love hayley. She was like on it and I went back on stage and I finished, oh my god, yeah, but honestly, like in theory, like ripping a costume is well, no, for me it was because, like what I had to do, my blocking, like I needed the skirt, was already really long and so it being ripped kind of extended it more, so I needed it to be up higher and I couldn't. My hands were full with what I had to do, so I like I needed my but, yeah, on the dance call.
Speaker 1I don't have a ripped skirt story, um, have you ripped that I can share, girl we ain't gonna talk about? I've lost buttons on pants. Oh my gosh, I'm surprised this button is staying on today. Stop, no right. The next thing that I just kind of wanted to get into as well while we have the last couple minutes together, are just some of your passions and passion projects that I specifically one that a lot of people have viewed and we're going to share. So hold on, look at this one insert and this one, but you know which one? My favorite is this one. Oh, because all these photos from natasya's birthday that not only did you, uh, so I saw boy howdy helped you with yes, correct which shout out to danny.
Speaker 1Shout out to danny and jaco from episode one boy howdy helped you out, but you like created this whole idea. You built all by yourself all these set pieces, right that, uh like one was a big cloud, so beautiful, um, and then you had like bubbles or what was it. It was like a water I had two concepts.
Speaker 2So I'm an aquarius, um, and so I wanted two different concepts to capture um, but like the different essence of being an aquarius and I'm also a baby, so I wanted to like insert, like the love. So an aquarius is where the water bears were air but we're also air sign, so like being a cloud floating. Onarius is where the water bears were air but were also air signs. So like being a cloud floating on air, and then the underwater one, the water bearer of love, kind of like a Venus, aphrodite kind of moment. Um, but yeah, it was, it was really fun, um, you gave love, thank you, and I loved every single one of them.
Speaker 1So, yeah, great work with that. I think that that was just something that, like, nobody does here in the area, right? So just your own mind creating that and putting that out. There is something that, uh, I really, really loved, and the fact that you were able to partner with boy howdy yes, uh was just amazing, and shout out to my mom, shout out to sinclair um, and shout out to my brother.
Speaker 2They also helped me um with the shoot. But yeah, that's like. A passion of mine is modeling and creative directing and coming up with different concepts, not only for myself but for other people.
Speaker 1So I'd love to like lean more into that this year and going forward yeah, well, and I would say just on your Instagram as well, you're constantly reposting like fashion and stuff.
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 1I know that that's a passion.
Speaker 2Yes, it's a huge passion of mine. I would love to delve more into that by collaborating with like different like brands and like like major fashion houses and maybe like some ambassadorships as well, or and maybe like even collaborating on releasing some collections. So I'm like throwing that out put it into the universe. I never do this like publicly. I do it with, like my, like my family, but it's it's kind of nice to just to speak it out and make it known, you know you might as well, right?
Speaker 1um, and then I know that, uh, you're even interested in like directing yeah.
Speaker 2Yeah, I think I naturally have a little bit of like some director qualities. I feel like I have like vision, being able to see entire pictures, but also like honing in on moments as well. So I would love I love acting I would also love to just grow, continue growing in my acting and like grow into um being a director one day as well. Maybe not anytime soon, but eventually or whenever, whenever the time is right now, you said you love acting.
Speaker 1Tell me, uh, just in our last minute, that we have here.
Speaker 2Tell me what your dream role is so my dream role is to originate a role and have that role become like a dream role for other people Like I would love for it to impact people in that way and give people something to look forward to and aspire to, to work towards as well, like an Elphaba or like a Jenna or like a Christine diet kind of moment. Yeah.
Speaker 1I love that. It's not only the I want to see my name in a script, but it's also a I want it to continue for other people as well, and I think that that's so important in depending on the story that you share with it. Right, I think that's wonderful and that's a great idea. We're going to close out here with your last song and we'll come back for a couple more moments. See you in a bit.
Magic To Do - Pippin
Speaker 2You had to do this one this is like my dream role really when people like ask me what my dream role is, apart from originating a role, it's leading player. It's a good one, like. I used to be obsessed with watching oh my gosh and patina miller in high school. Just like up late at night on my little phone just watching them and she killed it I know, and they both wanted tony for this role.
Speaker 2I think that they made history because, like it was two, like different categories and they've won and like the highest that you could like, win love it, love it, love it, love it.
Speaker 1Yes, all right. Well, tell them what you're going to do.
Speaker 2So this is Magic to Do from Pippin, and I love a show opener. So this is what this is Wonderful.
Speaker 1All right, let's get it.
Ending
Speaker 3Join us, leave your pits to flower. Join us, leave your cheeks to sour. Join us, come and waste an hour or two. Did I lead you through a journey? Journey to a anecdotic review. We've got magic to do just for you. We've got miracle plays to play. We've got parts to perform, parts to war, kings and dames to take by storm as we go along our way. We've got magic to do. Just fine, we've got miracle plays to play. We've got paths to perform, paths to walk, things that need to take my start as we go along the way, what an amazing way to end the episode with that last song.
Speaker 1I love that so much.
Speaker 3Oh, thank you. It's such a good song for you as well.
Speaker 2Yes, that's another dream role of mine leading player.
Speaker 1Do it. Yes, yeah, I really haven't seen any professional productions really here in the area with theaters, not recently yeah, I mean, I think firehouse did it firehouse did it.
Speaker 2Nt ntpa did it um I think, a junior version, um somebody else do it.
Speaker 1Put it out there um, I want to thank you for coming on the show today. Thank you so much for also being open and honest with us and just putting it all out there, even though I know you said some things you only tell your family. So thank you for doing that today and just taking the time to sit with me. Oh, thank you. If you want people to follow you, where can they find you?
Speaker 2So you can follow me at Natassia Dominique. Insert spelling here or here wherever yeah, so Natassia Dominique on Instagram. And why was I looking at the mic? Okay, so, natassia Dominique, and you can find me on Instagram and TikTok as well.
Speaker 1Nice, wonderful. And then don't forget that you want to follow us as well. If you're watching today, you're probably already watching it on YouTube, but you can find us at youtubecom slash at DanielDoesDFW, or you can find us on the TikTok Instagram, also at DanielDoesDFW, and we also have a Facebook page, so make sure. And if you are listening today thank you for listening you can find us on any podcast platforms. That includes Apple podcast, spotify, google podcast, everything in your mama right, shout out. I didn't shout out to my mom today.
Speaker 1Hey, mom honestly thanks, adela so make sure you do all of that I didn't shout out to my mom today, hey mom Love you girl Honestly.
Speaker 3Thanks, adela.
Speaker 1Adela. I like that, so make sure you do all of that. Again, thank you for watching and we hope to catch you in the next episode. Bye y'all, Bye.
