Full name: Dana Dawson Nicknames: ghetto-bourgeois! / slim! Date of birth: August 7th Place of birth: Queens, New York Where did you grow up? Jamaica Queens, New York How old were you when you decided to pursue performing? 7 years old What was your first experience performing? Singing in children's Saturday morning showcases in New York What shows have you been in? Annie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Gypsy, The Me Knowbody Knows, Second Hurricane What are your dream roles? Nala in The Lion King What got you interested in the entertainment field at such a young age? Seeing the Broadway cast of Annie at the age of 6. Was your family very supportive? Yes. They knew how much I loved performing. Were you always interested in a music AND acting career? if not, what got you interested in the other field? I always knew that this would end up being my career choice. I've always loved musical theatre as well as writing my own music and recording. Have you had any jobs outside of showbiz? if so, what were they? I worked for 6 months in retail at a store in New York called Barneys New York. What kind of career/job (besides those you're already involved in) most interests you? do you think you'd ever pursue it? Law is very intriguing to me as well as being a stylist in the fashion industry. Who do you admire? who inspires you (personally and/or professionally)? Madonna is one of my favorite pop icons as well as an incredible busines woman. I admire how she has overcome public ridicule as well as how she's achieved success in music and in film. What are three adjectives that best describe you? charismatic, loyal, sassy! Do you play any instruments? speak any foreign languages? I speak French. What was your audition for "RENT" like? did you go to an open call? what song did you sing? did you think you'd gotten the job? how many callbacks did you have? when did you find out that you got the part? I auditioned through my agent. In total I had 8 auditions over a year and 1/2. I was asked to prepare the "Seasons of Love" solo and "Take Me Or Leave Me." Then was asked to learn "We're O.K." and all of the Mimi material ie: "Out Tonight", "Without You" Where and when did you see your first performance of RENT? Was it before or after you joined the cast? What did you think of it? I first saw "Rent" in New York on B'way in 1998. I actually didn't like the show very much. I had really bad seats and I thought that it was "so damn loud." Then after listening to the cast album and learning the material for my auditions I really loved the music and the story on a whole. What's your favorite character and songs/scenes in RENT? I can't say that I have one favorite because each of the characters in Rent represent something unique and individual to the show and to life. What role in RENT do you most like playing? why? Joanne is lots of fun. I love her strong-will and intelligence and how she puts up with someone like Maureen who's so opposite to herself. I can relate to that aspect of my own life with the typs of boyfriends I've had or men I'm attracted to. Which character do you most relate to (male or female)? Do you relate to the characters you play? The dimensions of Mimi always amaze me. I can relate to her desire to live each day to the fullest. Not to live with fear or with regret. Because life is too short. For Mimi a character searching for greater mearning in her life while messing it up at the same time is what's so deep about her. As a swing, when you don't go on, how do you spend your time backstage? Usually I read, listen to music and gossip! What's next for you after the "RENT" tour? Returning back to New York will be great because I do miss home. I'll get back into the grind of auditioning again and hopefully book the role of Nala in Lion King! Are you recording a new single or album? I do have a dance-pop single being released in Europe late summer called "Nice Life" on Universal Records. I'll be back in the studio writing and working on my 3rd album as well. Do you have a message to visitors of the website?