Dal Theatre Society’s cast of Chicago is ‘All That Jazz’

During auditions, everyone in the rehearsal room cheered for Maya Serbu as she sang the last note in “All that Jazz.” 

After roughly 80 students auditioned, Serbu, a medical office administration student at Nova Scotia Community College, earned the role of Velma Kelly in the Dalhousie Theatre Society’s production of Chicago. 

“I love auditioning, I think it’s really fun,” she says. “Getting the email after the callback saying that they wanted me to be Velma was very rewarding.”

Ella Ripley, a second-year acting student at Dalhousie University, earned the role of Roxie Hart. She says playing the character is “fun and almost therapeutic.” 

“I think Roxy is the alter ego I didn’t know I had. My personality is a little bubbly, ditzy, outgoing and extroverted already. Roxy’s just that, but like, really mean.”

After just two weeks of rehearsal, the two already have electric chemistry on stage and have built a community off stage. 

“It’s really fun to work together to make something beautiful,” says Serbu. “You don’t know these people, and all of a sudden, I’m staring them in their eyes, and we’re connecting. [It’s] an extremely vulnerable thing to do.”

Ripley also participated in the Dal Theatre Society’s production of Shrek the Musical as part of the ensemble. She originally auditioned for the role of Velma, and the role of Roxy wasn’t even on their radar at first. 

“I just didn’t think I would be able to do it,” Ripley says. “We both got callbacks for Velma. They kept me after and were like, ‘Would you want to be Roxy?’” 

Serbu has been acting since she was seven years old. Chicago has helped her step out of her comfort zone. 

“I was really nervous because I’m not a dancer, at least I wouldn’t call myself a dancer,” she said. “[But] I work with great people who are very encouraging and very much like, ‘You can do this, we believe in you.’ I actually found a new love for dance.”

For the two leads, the show’s message is personal. 

“[Chicago] has a lot to do with what women go through in society,” says Ripley. “It’s a whole bit about how all of these women have to lie, and they have to murder just to get an ounce of attention.”

The women-led plot is also a highlight for Serbu. 

“It’s all about the women, and I think that’s really special,” says Serbu. “It’s fun to see that dynamic.” 

Ripley and Serbu, and the cast of Chicago hit the stage at the end of March. Tickets will be available for purchase on the Dal Theatre Society’s Instagram.