Roswell Community Little Theatre Spotlight: Gina Montague

Gina Montague grew up in Tucumcari, New Mexico and moved to Roswell while in high school. She is Louise Montague’s daughter, (read RCLT Spotlight on Louise Montague here.) During Gina’s college years, her mother kept trying to get Gina to audition for Roswell Community Little Theatre (RCLT) but Gina refused.

Gina has a beautiful voice. She sang with a group of women from the Ladies Aide organization. She loves to sing four-part harmony and misses singing with the women of the Ladies Aide.

In January 2012, Gina’s mother finally convinced Gina to try out for the first play presented in the new RCLT building. The play was the musical, Small Talk. Gina won a role and found out she was a natural for both dramatic parts and musical roles.

Gina works for Senior Olympics with Roswell and must budget her time with RCLT. She has made time not only for performances but followed in her mother’s footsteps to direct plays as well. Gina loves to perform and is fabulous to work with. She is a perfectionist for her own personal methods. Gina will ask fellow cast members to work with her on blocking and choreography of scenes until she has it right. She is easy to work with and creative in her roles. In Dearly Beloved, Gina stole the show by climbing onto the table and stabbing the “turkey” while wearing her slip and high heels. The audience roared in laughter at this scene and some still speak of it as a great moment for live theater.

Gina says that directing as opposed to performing is like giving birth. It is a lot of heartache but so gratifying when the show comes together. She enjoys boosting an actors confidence until it shows up in an excellent live performance. She recalls directing the play, Unnecessary Farce, which only came together the night before it went live. It was a great play but nerve-racking until the opening night.

Gina delights in the impromptu and improv of live acting. She was in the scene with Alethea Hartwell mentioned in another spotlight. The bench that was only supposed to “partially” break, dumped both Gina and Alethea. They recovered adeptly. Improvising and delighting in each other’s fast thinking.

Gina admits to worrying about the what-ifs before a performance whether she is directing or starring. She has learned to not let the what-ifs get in the way. Cast members and those working with Gina when she directs a play speak of her professionalism and delight. She is great to work with and a true asset to RCLT.

Come see Gina in Four Old Broads, which is in its second week of performances. Friday March 4 and Saturday March 5 at 7:30 p.m. The final performance will take place next Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in Roswell Community Little Theatre.For more information go to: