places for us to fit in and practice those things we loved.” Becky took full advantage of the many different options joining in dance classes, school theatre programs, community theatre, and speech. Each opportunity provided not only great experiences but also fantastic mentors who took the time to help guide and nurture her skills. When she was in the 4th grade, Becky got her first big break when she was cast in the lead role for the Red River Dance and Performing Company’s production of “Annie.” Eddie and Kathy Gasper, who have performed on Broadway and beyond, were mentors to Becky from that time forward. Kathy recalls Becky as “A natural talent. Even as a young girl, she was gifted with a wonderful vocal quality and an innate skill in line delivery and timing, but,” Gasper added “in addition to that, she was also incredibly receptive to training and coaching.” With her positive attitude and natural talent, Becky continued to receive opportunities to shine. Photography by Xanthe Elbrick
HOMETOWN GIRL– Broa dway Star Becky Gulsvig shines in her many roles By C arolyn Lillehaugen
Interviewing Broadway actress Becky Gulsvig is much like visiting with the proverbial girl next door. Even though she has had tremendous success in her 14 years as an actress in New York City, she still maintains that Midwest sensibility she developed growing up in Moorhead, Minnesota. In describing her early years, Becky fondly remembers living a regular life doing all the things kids did like school, sports, and
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summer weekends with extended family at the lake cabin. On top of that, she really liked to sing. As Becky’s mother Patty recalls, even as a toddler, she’d entertain, or possibly disturb the whole grocery store from her perch in the cart with a rather loud chorus of “Jesus Loves Me.” Becky also loved watching and singing along with favorite musicals such as The Sound of Music, Little Mermaid, or Beauty and the Beast imagining herself as Maria, Ariel or Belle. She eagerly sang solos at church, letting her joyful spirit flow with the sound of her tender soprano voice. As Becky reflects, she appreciates both the normalcy and the uniqueness of her childhood. “Most theatre people I have met through the years admit that they didn’t fit in where they grew up. But the environment in Fargo Moorhead is very different. It is a rich and nurturing place, with many excellent opportunities for every child. There were lots of kids interested in music and theatre and other kinds of arts, and there were lots of
As a freshman at Moorhead High, Becky auditioned for Little Shop of Horrors. Director Rebecca Meyer Larson had been told to look for a talented freshman girl, but that was something she had heard before about many fine students. As Meyer Larson describes it, “I will never forget that first audition, I was amazed at her voice and stage presence and so was everyone in the theatre that day.” For three years, Gulsvig and Meyer Larson had the privilege to work together in both theatre and speech. Meyer Larson explains, “As a high school sophomore Becky took the competitive speech circuit by storm.” Moorhead High had never had anyone advance at nationals and that year Becky placed 13th in the nation with her humorous interpretation of Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man. During the summers of her high school years, Becky became involved at Trollwood Performing Arts School with roles as Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Lola in Damn Yankees. Becky describes those summers as “an incredible opportunity. Working with a creative team from New York and beyond while still in high