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Caroline Stanley-Smith
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Caroline Stanley-Smith

2 Years In CODA (at time of writing)!

Caroline joined CODA a couple of years ago and is based in Oxford.

Why did I join CODA?

“I had just graduated from Drama school and was looking for a musical theatre society to join to cement my drama skills. As I was living in Croydon it made sense to join CODA and also heard that CODA had an excellent reputation. 

My first ever CODA show was Pirates of Penzance. I love Gilbert and Sullivan for a start and Pirates is one of very few G&S productions I had not performed. The atmosphere of being in the park was amazing, and dancing around the bandstand in the pouring rain singing ‘How Beautifully Blue the Sky’ just added to the comedy. I played Kate, one of Major General Stanley’s daughters. The whole show was a lot of fun, and both cast and audience thoroughly enjoyed themselves.”

A real passion for performance.

“There has always been music in my life from a very early age. I grew up dancing (learnt ballet) around the house, putting on concerts for my parents and singing in church. I was very involved in choirs at school and ended up doing A-levels in music. My high school singing teacher was a member of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of South Australia and she encouraged me to audition for them. From there I really grew as a performer to a point where I knew this was what I wanted to do.”

There is inspiration everywhere!

“My all-time favourite musical is Wicked. I think because it was the first (and only) musical I have seen on Broadway. The staging is very cleverly done and the songs are all very catchy.

My favourite actor is Hugh Jackman, because he is such a brilliant all-round performer, able to sing/dance, and also to take dramatic roles. He also sounds a very genuine down to earth person. The first musical I ever saw him in was Oklahoma, as Curley and I absolutely loved it.”

Caroline is also a member of Inter Church Productions and the G&S Society of South Australia. Outside of performing she also enjoys playing the flute, and loves cooking, especially experimenting with new recipes. She is a Children’s nurse.”

What do I love about CODA?

“The quality of the shows, and the calibre of the actors are excellent. Every show I have done has been of an extremely high standard to the level I would expect of a professional production. Everyone is also very friendly and welcoming and there is no shortage of social actives in which to be involved.”