Jaley Hoyt

By far my biggest and most controversial role yet was when I was cast as Willy himself (a genderbent version; so with female pronouns) in the Pittsburg Community Theater show over the summer of 2017. When auditioning, I fully did not expect the director to consider me for it. After all, Willy is traditionally a man. Yet in the audition process, the director singled out me and 6 other men of varying ages to sing and act out the iconic song, "Pure Imagination". I got the role and had to confront several issues, mostly a bit of sexism as retaliation from the community. Several people came up to me and told me their opinions. Following are quotes that various people of different ages and gender said to my face. Positive or negative, they all acted as motivation.

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"Willy Wonka should be a man."

     

     "You are an inspiration to my daughter. She wants to dress as you for           Halloween."

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"No offense, but I just don't like it. It ruins the classic story. I probably won't go."

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     "Wow! I thought you were better than the movies!"

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"It's an insult to Gene Wilder."

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     "I didn't know girls could do that too. I wanna be just like you! Do you         think I could sing 'Pure Imagination' at the talent show?

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"I came here thinking that a girl Willy Wonka was ridiculous, but you did okay I guess."

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This posed a challenge. I was happy to be in musical theatre again, especially with more songs to sing, but I had to keep in mind that Wonka is a classic character that many people love. I did not want to betray that, and because I am an unorthodox Wonka, I wanted to do it well.

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I did my own makeup for the show, and also had to improvise several ticket drawing videos for Andra Stefanoni, the head of Public Relations for Memorial Auditorium. I also was in several interviews, with television, radio, and paper. This was a massive role for my professional career that put me a bit more into the public eye and I wish I could do it over again.

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