In The Haus: Erika Naddei
Erika Naddei’s dynamic career in the arts began with a childhood passion for performing, nurtured through private speech and drama lessons. After graduating from the Australian Dance Performance Institute, she quickly made a name for herself, most recently swinging to stardom in Kate Miller-Heidke’s Bananaland.
Theatre Haus spoke with Erika about her journey, inspirations, and advice for aspiring performers. Reflecting on her early influences, such as her love for Julie Andrews and iconic power ballad singers, Erika shares how these inspirations shaped her career. She also discusses significant milestones and offers insights into her current projects, like her starring role in THAT Production Company and Mira Ball Production’s ‘Head Over Heels’ performing at Ipswich Civic Centre later this month. Erika’s story is a testament to the hard work and passion required to succeed in the world of performing arts.
We’d love to know more about the beginning of your career – where and how did you get your start?
I had always been that annoying child, wanting everyone to listen to me sing and taking any opportunity to get onstage, so my mum very astutely put me into private speech and drama lessons at school. I think it was mostly to expend some of my energy/give her some peace and quiet at home. I’m not sure if that worked or not, but I loved it and my whole life I’ve never wanted a career in anything but the performing arts.
As cliché as it is, my school musical was pivotal for me. We did Les Miserables (I was young Cosette) and I screeched out ‘Castle on a Cloud’ whilst doing, what I thought was the most inspired scared-sweeping acting anyone has ever seen, my love of music theatre hit its peak. After school, I went straight into a theatre internship, then onto a diploma in commercial dance and music theatre and here I am, 13 years
on and still kicking.
What or who were some of your early influences or inspirations that shaped your career?
There were so many, but I think Julie Andrews was my first true love. As a kid, I would watch The Sound of Music on video, rewind it, and watch it over and over again, while my family begged me to please put on anything else. We also listened to a LOT of Mariah Carey, Tina Arena and Celine Dion at home and that’s where my love of the power ballad was born. I have always wanted to emulate not only their vocal prowess but the way they could tell a story through song and hit me in the feels so easily.
What are some of the most defining moments or milestones in your career so far?
I think the biggest milestone for me was just last year! I was cast as the female standby in Bananaland (written by Kate-Miller Heidke & Keir Nuttal and directed by Simon Phillips) and it was my very first time working professionally as a cover. I was absolutely sh***** bricks because 1) the calibre of the creative team/cast was ridiculous, and 2) I had no idea if I was even up to the task of learning 3 such different tracks. Anywho, during the opening weekend I got the call that I would be going on for Ruby (the lead), having never done a cover rehearsal. I had only a few hours to tech the costume changes and transitions and hope for the best. It was simultaneously the most terrifying and thrilling thing I’ve ever done. I walked off that stage the proudest I have ever been of myself. I had worked so hard learning that show and I actually did the thing! The thing I didn’t know I was even capable of and, better yet, I didn’t let my nerves get the best of me. It honestly felt like skydiving without the plane!
What is a quirky fact about you, or something people wouldn’t expect about your story?
I can’t say it’s an unknown fact (because I tell everyone constantly) but I’m half Italian, and about 8 years ago I spent my life savings to fly to Italy and enrol in an immersion language course. The goal was to learn enough of the lingo to communicate with my relatives still living there. It was bloody hard and I spent months feeling overwhelmed but eventually, I did it and now I can understand my family! I don’t really get to practice it as much as I would like, but I did teach my dog her commands in Italian. I thought it was hilarious at the time. It’s not; people at the dog park just look at me weird.
What are you currently working on and how has that creative process been?
I’m currently rehearsing Head Over Heels with THAT Production Company and Mira Ball Productions. The Elizabethan text in the show is such a fun challenge to tackle and I play Pamela, who is a slightly unhinged character, so I’m having the best time tapping into that side of myself. I’ve also been wanting to work with Timothy Wynn for years and I could not think of a better director to tackle this joyous, silly show.
What’s in your rehearsal bag that you can’t go without?
My rehearsal bag is ever changing but my non-negotiables are coloured sticky tabs, hydrolyte and the SOVT straw!
Do you have a reading, teaching/advice, institution or resource that changed your life/perspective, which you’d recommend to others?
I’m currently doing a short online course with VHE in Vocal Health First Aid (that was recommended to me by the incredible Michael Mandalios) and though it’s early days, I am loving what I’m learning about vocal health and all that goes along with it. Highly recommend!
What advice would you give to a young person today aspiring to walk in your shoes?
Ooft. I think the advice that I needed earlier in life (and that I am still trying to implement) is learning to back yourself more and make peace with feeling uncomfortable. I’ve let countless opportunities slip by since I started out because I lacked self-confidence or was scared to look a fool or even just to ask for help. I’ve found my biggest growth has only come from the times I felt I was crossing into unknown territory. It’s the most classic trope, but don’t let that fear of failure keep you from trying.
One of the experiences that I think really helped me let go a little was actually the 24-Hour Musical Project. Having to get on stage after 24 hours of rehearsal, no sleep and a completely overwhelmed brain and perform felt formative. It really helped me to trust myself and my instincts and let go of that want for perfection that can be so stifling. So thank you 24-Hour Musical Project, you really prepared me for the swing life!
What are your future aspirations or projects that you’re excited about?
Oooh I got to play Veronica Sawyer recently and that was a huge dream role of mine for years but, now that I’ve hit my 30s, I think my new dream is to play Bobby in the gender-flipped version of Company. I have also really enjoyed my experiences being a part of new Australian works, so I would love to get the chance to originate a character and take it from page to stage!
Theatre Haus is the ‘home of theatre’, where, what or who do you call home?
I’ve been living a bit of a gypsy life the last few years moving around a lot (and currently in the middle of moving again) so it’s been a real comfort to be back in a rehearsal room. As cheesy as it is, the creative process is a home for me. And in the physical sense, wherever my partner and my doggo are, that’s where I’m happiest.
Erika Naddei performs as Pamela in the Queensland premiere of ‘Head Over Heels’, performing for a limited season from 31 May – 1 June at Ipswich Civic Centre. For tickets, visit Ipswich Civic Centre’s website.
Alternatively, you can catch up on all her musical theatre adventures via Erika’s Instagram page.
Want to feature in our In The Haus series? Email [email protected].
