Carlita Victoria Returns To The Stage In Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” At N.C. Theatre
RALEIGH, NC – North Carolina Theatre (NCT), the region’s premier nonprofit professional regional theatre, will present 9 to 5 with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, its second show of the season. Directed by NCT’s Producing Artistic Director, Eric Woodall, performances will run from October 12 – October 17 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.
“This is such a beloved, fun, women-powered show! Dolly Parton has always wowed us with her legendary positivity and moxie – this musical version of the iconic 9 to 5 film absolutely sparkles with Dolly magic!,” said NCT’s President & CEO, Elizabeth Doran.
Bringing her magic to the cast of 9 to 5, in a role not traditionally played by an African American, is Carlita Victoria. A Raleigh, North Carolina native, currently based in NYC, she attended The University of NC at Greensboro (BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography, K-12 Dance Education). Her extensive list of credits includes but is not limited to national tours with Chuck Davis & The African American Dance Ensemble and the Glee Project Promo featuring Darren Criss. (Lead Singer). Regionally she has starred or performed in The Color Purple (Nettie), Dreamgirls (Lorrell Robinson), Hairspray (Little Inez/Dynamite), Rock of Ages (Justice), Disney’s Aladdin (Regional Premiere), Shani Collins/Eternal Works (Soloist), and Urban Bush Women (Apprentice).
Carlita Victoria has performed internationally with the Gyeonggi Village Theatre Company, PAS Jazz Dance Co. of Seoul, DzaNonmo Dance Co. of Ghana, a singer at Circus Conelli of Switzerland.
She has danced with the American Dance Festival (NC), Dance Africa (TX), Jacob’s Pillow (MA), Dance Theatre Workshop (NY), Ailey Citigroup Theatre (NY), and Alliance Francais (Accra, Ghana). The choreography was presented in NC, NYC, and Seoul, South Korea.
Carlita Victoria will play the role of “Nurse” in the upcoming production of 9 to 5 at the North Carolina Theatre. Spectacular Magazine had the opportunity to find out more about Carlita Victoria.
SPECTACULAR MAGAZINE (SM): North Carolina Theatre’s production of “9 to 5” opens this week. Is this your first time returning to the stage since the shutdown? If so, how does it feel?
CARLITA VICTORIA (CV): I’m excited to return to the stage for the first time since the shutdown! I was actually at NCT rehearsing for MEMPHIS when the shutdown happened. It feels like a full-circle moment that I’m back for my first show since then. I’m always grateful to perform in my hometown, and 9 to 5 is such a fun show to come back to!
“9 to 5” isn’t the “norm” anymore. Does your approach to telling this story change because of it? What themes do you feel you relate to the most as a Black Woman?
Many of the themes in 9 to 5 reveal a lot about how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go in terms of establishing equitable working situations. As a Black woman, the discrimination we face in the workplace is not only in pay discrepancies and sexual harassment, but also includes prejudices toward our hair, and what is often perceived as “an attitude.” The way I approach telling this story is rooted in my experience and understanding that Black women are rarely free to be themselves, in this workplace and in the world.
You are not just an actress, you also own your own non-profit, tell us about it?
I created Darkness RISING because of my own mental health experiences as a Black woman. Darkness RISING Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides direct mental health resources and helps those in the Black community have conversations about their mental health and emotional well-being. We accomplish this by partnering with mental health providers, mental health educators, and Black performers from the Broadway community to create events, seminars, and direct resources where the intersection between mental health education and the arts collide. More information is available via @darknessrisingproject and darknessrisingproject.org.
(Spectacular Magazine has also learned via her website that Carlita Victoria is also an ISSA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, currently offering personal training, duets, and group fitness classes. She also offers meal plans to combine nutrition and practical work/life balance solutions.)
Why do you think people should come to see “9 to 5”?
9 to 5 is an exciting show about breaking the glass ceiling. The music is amazing, the costumes are so much fun, and our cast is out of this world! NC Theatre always produces beautiful shows and the first show back energy will be high!
Catch Carlita Victoria in 9 to 5 opening Tuesday, October 12, and running through Sunday, October 17 in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Single tickets are on sale at nctheatre.com.