Just chatting with… Nyassa Alberta

As if we are in a 2020 version of Sleeping Beauty, corona has put almost everything on pause. So has TINA the musical, which had just started off so excitingly and successfully. May is texting with lead actress Nyassa Alberta because they both really hope that soon the play button can be pressed again and we can all enjoy this musical.

May:
Nyassa, hi, how are you? What a contrast for you from a steaming and exuberant Beatrix Theater to home quarantine.

Nyassa:
Hi, yes, I'm good. Slowly but surely I'm getting used to life without theater. Unfortunately, we still have to wait until we are allowed to open. Small theaters can open from June 1 with 30 people including staff, so that doesn't make sense for us. We are already backstage with more than 30 people.

Large events may be allowed from September 1 or even when a vaccine is found. Although we are officially not classified as large events, I wouldn't be surprised if we are treated as such. Still, I hope that we can get back to work by September 1 at the latest.

May:
Intense, right? And you had just started so well. You must have been so disappointed when you had to stop. What do your days look like now?

Nyassa:
I found it especially surreal. Maybe I was a bit naive, I had heard about the virus, but thought: that's a far-off issue. So when I heard that we had to close immediately (I happened to be at the headquarters of Stage Entertainment), I was really shocked.

At first, I had to get used to doing nothing. I had just started to find my rhythm for the show, so that completely disappeared from one day to the next. On the other hand, I really needed some rest. I had just come from Hamburg to start rehearsals for TINA Netherlands two days later. Such a rehearsal process is always heavier than you think, long days and even when I'm off, I'm busy processing everything I need to learn. The premiere is also very intense, so my body was worn out. In that respect, this rest came at the right time, but as I said, I had to get used to it. In the meantime, I'm enjoying getting up without the pressure of doing a show in the evening. I'm usually busy with that all day. So I cook a lot and I try to exercise a bit every day and read, and I sing at home every day.

May:
Oh, how I would love to be your neighbor. Just listening to your voice all day. I heard that you guys are also doing some kind of online workout with the cast of TINA. Is that true? Or do you do other things to stay fit?

Nyassa:
Hahaha, luckily I haven't had any complaints from the neighbors, they enjoy it ?.

I found it difficult to motivate myself to stay fit during this period when I can't work. When I told a few colleagues about it, they said they had the same problem. So we decided to work out together via Skype. So we do that at least four times a week now. Usually around eleven o'clock, that gives rhythm to my day. One of us starts a workout and does it for the rest.

Actually, we all shout every morning: ‘I don't feel like it’ and then we start the workout. We are usually six of us, and I must say that without them I would have done nothing much more often! This is really nice, plus: I enjoy speaking to them every day and seeing how everyone is doing.

May:
Oh, what a good idea. And I assume your average screen time on your phone has also gone up significantly. What is your average now?

Nyassa:
Oh lord! Hahaha, I don't even want to know, I see almost every day on Instagram that I was on it for an hour and of course also occasionally Netflix etc.! I would like to spend less time on social media and take more time for other things. In any case, a detox, this is of course the time to do that.

May:
And when it comes to WhatsApp, are you the type that writes or do you prefer to send a voice message? I always like to do that myself. Saves so much time.

Nyassa:
I also like those voice messages. They go quickly.

May:
And what are your favorite emoticons?

Nyassa:

May:
Are there emoticons that should be banned?

Nyassa:
All those unicorns, hahaha.

May:
Haha, my daughters think differently about that. Just something else: after a long period in Germany, you suddenly had a lot of time to take in the Netherlands. What stands out to you?

Nyassa:
Germans are much more punctual. If we started rehearsing there at 9:00 AM, everyone would start right away. Here someone announces that we will start soon and then everyone calmly finishes their coffee and chat. It goes much smoother. Also regarding corona, I see that the Netherlands handles it differently than Germany. In the performance, there is also laughter about other pieces, which is interesting to see.

May:
Which song helps you through this period?

Nyassa:
From the song ‘We don't need another Hero’, which is called ‘Everyone needs heroes’ in the performance, we made an adapted version that we recently sang with the whole cast from our homes. The song perfectly captures the feeling of this time, because everyone is a hero in their own way and we all need them. We have received so many lovely responses from people about this performance.

May:
And which song are you looking forward to?

Nyassa:
In the performance, ‘You're simply the best’ is really the climax, the release after a tough life when the tide suddenly turns and life smiles at Tina. That's such a wonderful moment. I think it's one of the best songs in the performance anyway, but the moment I get to sing it in the performance and feel the release from the audience is amazing. I really can't wait to shine for all of you and give my best.

TINA, the musical hopefully will be back on stage at the Beatrix Theater as soon as possible. Musical fans can meanwhile enjoy Stage Memories.

Image credits: Roy Beusker and Manuel Harlan