Anna Cafagna

Previous unpaid speaking roles

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• English

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• USA California
• USA Southern
• Italian
• Russian

• Spanish

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I was thrilled to play "Alice Beinike" and the "Ballerina Ancestor" in the Wharton Centers production of the musical "The Addams Family", I even danced as "The Moon" on Pointe during Uncle Festers number where he serenades the moon, that was very fun! I participated in the Michigan States Community Music School and studied Musical theater acting and singing, and in 2015 when the program put on a huge medley of "Les Miserables", I was honored when I got to play the role of "Cosette". Lastly, I played a Tall Soldier in the BalletMets professional production of "The Nutcracker" for three consecutive seasons, and for my last season in 2017, I also performed as the "Lead Angel"; These are of course mainly classical ballet roles, but acing was of course involved. Thank you!

Beginner, starting out

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I auditioned to be in the National American Miss Pageant for the state of Michigan and got in, I took several classes on pageantry and my mother bought me the most gorgeous dress; I entered in the talent portion where I tap danced while singing and was awarded a spot in the top five talent performances. I was awarded a photogenic award, and an award for public speaking. I was honored to be a top ten finalist of the whole pageant for my state, National American Miss was such an amazing experience. I was also a dance model at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for the visual art students, they had me do three different poses in a simple black leotard and pink tights and I had to hold those poses with composure as they were painting portraits of my body, which took a long time. Their work was beautiful, they were very talented artists! I have taken several modeling and carriage classes from The Studios of Michigan, a program that I was very grateful to get into (the audition process was extensive, and my younger sister got in as well). As you can see I have limited experience in modeling, but I have been told I should model, I find the idea very interesting, and after my pageant experience, I feel as though I could do very well; I'm hungry to learn the art form and eager to work as one.I would greatly appreciate any opportunity given to me!

Classically trained

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Soprano

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• Pop
• Rock
• Classical
• Opera

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• Pop
• Rock
• Indie
• Jazz

• Classical

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Influences: Julie Andrews, Elton John, Andy Williams, Queen, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Demi Lovato, The Hunts

As the child of a professional jazz musician, I grew up in a house filled with song; I practiced singing with my father for years but because of the lack of school choirs in my district, I did not join a real choir until eighth grade. After that I joined the established Athens Concert Chorale and became lead soprano as a freshman, I performed in it for all four years of high school as section leader and our teachers assistant. At my final performance, I was awarded the most valuable musician award and scholarship by our director. Through working with this choir I got the opportunity to be a back-up singer for Ethan Bortnicks 2018 concert in Detroit, and attended several audition-only musical programs and conventions. I auditioned for a spot in the elite vocalists group for the Wharton Centers summer music program, and was then lucky enough to be in their summer production of "The Addams Family" as both "Alice Beinike" and the "Ballerina Ancestor". For three consecutive summers I attended the Michigan State University Community Music Schools summer program, and during my last summer of that I played the part of "Cosette" in the schools medley of "Les Miserables". I was the designated "National Anthem girl", for my junior and senior years at high school, I sang this before every football and basketball game, and I tried to find ways to make the piece sound different from the last. The summer before my junior year, I started private vocal lessons with an acclaimed singer in just about every style, Trish Shandor, and after two months she deemed me ready to be in the MSVMA'S. I hadn't had any proper classical and opera training before the age of 16, but starting then it consumed my hours I wasn't at school or in the dance studio. I worked tirelessly on my own, and with her, and combined with my drive, choir experience and natural ability, I wound up with a perfect score in the highest division of the districts competition, which qualified me for the states competition the next year. I attended that after extensive training, got ranked in the highest division again and was three points away from a perfect score for the state of Michigan's competition. I did this same process the next year too, ranking in the highest division both times. I am still receiving vocal lessons from her, and will soon work with a new woman I was referred to, Kate Hart. Dancing is what I've always done the most, but I've come to realize I love singing just as much and crave a professional career where I get to use the vocal chords I was gifted with at birth. I am so excited for the potential opportunities, and want to assure you I am up for every challenge in this art and promise to rise to any occasion. Thank you!

The only experience I've had personally with television work was I can be seen in two PBS specials; One is a recording of the dress rehearsal for Ethan Bortnicks concert, and the other appearance being the actual recording of his concert in Detroit. Both could be seen on the television channel. I have however taken many classes on commercial acting and acting for a television series with The Studios of Michigan, and feel confident in my abilities. I would be so thrilled if given the chance to audition to appear on the screen!

Intermediate

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• Ballet
• Ballroom
• Contemporary
• Disco

• Jazz
• Rock & Roll
• Salsa
• Swing

• Tango
• Tap
• Hip Hop

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I have been lucky to receive ten years of all-style dance training from Juliart Dance Studio, and five years of all-style dance training from Gotta Dance Dance Studios. Nine of these fifteen years were spent on the respective studios most advanced competition team and I have participated in over thirty dance competitions. During my junior year of high school I became a teacher at my own studio Gotta Dance, teaching ballet and tap to children from ages three to five, a regularly asked substitute teacher for all dance classes, and the choreographers assistant to several of my teachers. I am thankful to have been a part of the national award winning dance "I won't give up", choreographed by Laura Standlick. I was gifted the chance to attend Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp on full scholarship for three summers as a dance major, and was invited to join the Blue Lake Fine Arts International Ensemble and I was in the 2016 season. I became the dance captain of the Athens Redhawks dance team in my second month of being on the team. I am a freshman student in the dance major at Western Michigan University and have danced in The university's Fall Showcase and The Winter Gala, and as a dance major there I currently study Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Modern and Tap, as well as Bartenieff Fundamentals, Laban Fundamentals, Choreography, Roots of Jazz, Music composition, Lighting, Staging, Costuming and Ballet history. I had the honor of being a guest ballerina in the BalletMets hit production of "The Nutcracker" that takes place every November at the Detroit Opera House for three seasons, all of which I performed in as a tall soldier in the Battalion, however in my last season of "The Nutcracker" before I turned 18, I played the "Lead Angel" for the whole of Act 2; To this day, this is still my most favorite piece I have danced and I am unbelievably grateful for my first real role in a professional ballet. For the Wharton Centers summer production, I played the "Ballerina Ancestor" in the musical "The Addams Family" and danced in pointe shoes for the whole show, while singing and acting of course. I am Miss Teen Rapture for 2015, I won the scholarship and title when I attended the three day convention and attended their invitation-only training program called "The Verve". I auditioned for Broadway Dance Centers summer program, got in and went to New York for the summer of 2018, and performed in their end-of-program-performance. I was a background dancer and extra in Isabella J's latest Music video "100". I performed with my dance studios (Gotta Dance) senior company for an autism awareness event, and performed with my Athens Redhawks dance team for an anti-sex trafficking event, I was thrilled to get to do my part for two incredibly important causes. I am honored to have had these opportunities, and am working hard to be worthy of many more! Thank you!