Interview with ATG covergirl Sabrina Sloan (part two) by A.L. Harper
You probably know Sabrina Sloan best as an American Idol contestant from A.I. season six, but you should know her for a lot more. This talented 28 year old from Southern California has been performing for friends and family from a tender age, she moved on in high school to musicals and from there Sabrina attended Northwestern University where she majored in Theatre & Voice, and Communications. While in University Sabrina was part of NW’s premiere a capella group Melodious Thunk, she also sang with the gospel choir. She trained her voice and her body, and it paid off.
After graduation Sabrina cast in the road company for the Broadway hit Hairspray in 2002. After years on the road she decided to settle down in Hollywood, California from there she would eventually audition for American Idol. Her talent, training and drive would get her into the Hollywood round of A.I. to eventually make it into the top 16. Sabrina’s shock exit left many, including the judges, scratching their heads. The sometimes overly-critical judge Randy Jackson said “Sabrina should be in that top 12, dawg, America got that one wrong.” But America had spoken and Sabrina had to move on.
Now Sabrina is back on track. Recently she signed a contract with Universal Records Motown and recorded an album of duets with fellow A.I. contestant Sundance Head, with a solo album to follow sometime next year. But the biggest news for Sabrina is that she has been cast to play Margie Hendricks in the musical Ray Charles Live!. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and directed by Sheldon Epps the show will feature a diverse ensemble of Broadway talent, and an exciting selection of Ray Charles’ songs including “Georgia On My Mind,” “Hit The Road Jack,” and “I Got A Woman”. Previews of Ray Charles Live! begin October 31, 2007, and the show officially opens on November 9th and runs through December 23rd.
With things going so well I was thrilled to get a chance to talk to this intelligent, funny open woman about all the exciting stuff she has going on. Down-to-earth and witty she was a lot of fun to talk with and before our chat degenerated into girl talk we talked about her time on A.I., her new album Head and her future career. In this the second part of ATG’s interview with Sabrina she talks about Ray Charles Live!, her busy schedule and her future.
You have recently been cast in the new musical Ray Charles Live!. Can you tell us more about the play?
Yes! I am starring in the new musical Ray Charles Live! at The Pasadena Playhouse in Los Angeles. I will be playing Margie Hendricks, the role played by Regina King in the film Ray. I am thrilled because the show features an incredible ensemble of Broadway talent with the selection of Ray Charles’ songs. And it’s amazing how well his own music and lyrics help to tell that story. The play is very powerful, it will make you laugh and make you cry. The story of ray’s life is one that inspires people of all ages and walks of life.
This (starring in the musical) is important to me because along with working on my upcoming debut album, I’m staying true to my theatre roots and getting back on the stage. I love to perform live.
“I just love singing, anything I do that involves music and acting will make me happy!”
Your schedule must be very tight right now. When do you find time for family and friends?
It’s been so hard to make time for anything personal. I’ve been doing a lot! I’ve had many great opportunities to give back, by singing and performing at several events for various charity organizations, like Operation Smile, New Orleans, Hot in Hollywood benefiting Aids research. So my friends and family don’t resent that I cant see them as much as I used to. I definitely make time though. Family and friends are where my heart lies… but I have to work — my fans are important too.
What do foresee for your future right now Sabrina? Where do you want to be in 5 years time?
I would love to be touring after a second or even third solo album… perhaps working on Broadway or starring in a musical film like Dreamgirls. I just love singing, anything I do that involves music and acting will make me happy!
If you would like more information about Ray Charles Live! you can visit The Pasadena Playhouse website or you can visit Sabrina Sloan’s MySpace space.
A.L. Harper is a freelance writer and motorbike fanatic originally from Salt Lake City, Utah but now living in Scotland. In edition to being the Managing Editor for All Things Girl, A.L. is the Assistant Music Editor for Blogcritics.org and a freelance writer for hire.
