Interview: Offstage Swing Jessica Daugirda on joining cast of THE HUNGER GAMES: ON STAGE
The Hunger Games: On Stage is entering its second year at London’s Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, and it's ready to welcome a fresh company of performers into the arena. We spoke to Offstage Swing Jessica Daugirda to find out more about her new role in this electrifying production.
How does it feel to be joining the cast of The Hunger Games: On Stage?
It’s so exciting to be a part of a franchise that so many people love! It’s such a spectacle; we get to fight, fly, there are illusions; the list is endless! I’ve never been a part of a production of this scale; it’s amazing!
Can you tell us how the rehearsal process works for an offstage swing?
The process is slightly different for an offstage swing as you don’t have your own track that you are learning; for example, I cover 8 tracks in the show. It’s a lot of working at the side of the rehearsal room, making notes and your own swing maps so you are ready to jump up in the room if you are needed. It’s all about being proactive; super challenging but so rewarding.
What are the most exciting and most challenging parts of being a swing?
Being a swing means you never really know who you’re going to be playing each day, which I find really exciting. It keeps the show feeling really fresh, and being able to step into different characters and make them your own is so much fun. Our show has a lot of very intricate fight sequences, so you are constantly fighting different people, which can be quite challenging, but it’s so rewarding and always keeps you on your toes.
Were you a fan of The Hunger Games books and movies before you joined the cast?
Absolutely! Who isn’t a fan of The Hunger Games?
What do you think is the standout moment of the show?
For me, it’s the opening of Act 2 at the Cornucopia, where the games begin. It’s a massive fight sequence; there are also dance elements involved and lots of blood! It encapsulates exactly what The Hunger Games is and is such a spectacle; it's like nothing else I’ve seen onstage before!
