Medfield Resident to Make Professional Theatre Debut on Home Stage

Nearly five years since her last theatre performance in the auditorium, Medfield resident Michelle Jaques is returning to her "home" stage with the Woodland Theatre Company for this weekend’s production of Guys and Dolls.

“I’m excited to be back on any stage since I graduated college but to be back on my home stage has been really fun,” Jaques said.

Jaques, a graduate of the Medfield High School (Class of 2007), graduated from Stonehill College in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is currently working at UMass Medical Center in Worcester doing research.

“My ultimate goal is to become a clinical childhood psychologist,” Jaques said. “Right now I’m building my resume, getting some more research experience and hopefully going off to school for five more years.”

And in her spare time, continuing her love for theatre.

“Since I’m here, I’m home trying to save up some money, I figure why not do something fun on the side,” Jaques said.

It also helps Jaques cope with the commute to and from Worcester.

“I absolutely love it,” Jaques said. “It’s great to have something fun to do when I get home from work. … I get to go sing and dance.”

Jaques' return to the stage and involvement with the Woodland Theatre Company actually came at her younger sister's suggestion.

“My younger sister is a senior at [Medfield High School] right now and had helped out with [the Woodland Theatre Company’s] last show, and said ‘Oh my gosh Michelle, the show was so great’ and said the next show they do I should audition. … So I said 'why not.' I live across the street so it was a pretty convenient walk over for me and figured I’d try and get back into it. I was very excited when I found out I got in.”

Jaques will be playing “Ferguson,” a Hot Box Doll in the Woodland Theatre Company’s production of “Guys and Dolls” this weekend (May 11-13).

“So basically, [I'm in] a lot of skimpy outfits and dancing around on the stage,” Jaques said with a laugh. “We actually take off our dresses on stage in one of the scenes. … I’ve never done the show, that’s one of the reasons I wanted to do this.”

Jaques said she shares her parents’ passion for music and dance and that inspired her to get involved in high school and college theatre.

“I’ve been watching musicals since I was really little,” Jaques said. “Guys and Dolls was probably one of the musicals I wasn’t as familiar with ... it wasn’t one of the ones I used to watch but of course, I knew some of the bigger songs.”

Jaques never thought she would be performing with a professional theatre company after college – especially in Medfield – but is excited and grateful for the opportunity.

“This is such an extra step up from [high school and college theatre],” she said of working with the Woodland Theatre Company. “You came into this [production of Guys and Dolls] and you already had to know your music and learn your dance for the next rehearsal. There’s no reviewing. It’s so much fun having that sense of professional theatre, which is so different.”

It is also challenging, which is something Jaques relishes.

“It’s a drastic change, which is challenging but exciting,” Jaques said. “Being apart of something so professional; I’m very fortunate to be working with such an amazing cast. They’re really a great group of people and so talented.”

Performing in her hometown has also relieved some of Jaques’ usual stage nerves.

“Even in the moment we auditioned, I remembered getting up on stage and I was having a ball with just being on [the MHS] stage,” she said … "I got this excited feeling. I usually feel nervous for auditions but I actually wasn’t when I got up on [the MHS] stage because it felt like home for me. … It was great.”

In addition to returning home and performing professionally in her high school’s auditorium, Jaques is excited to be working with the Woodland Theatre Company’s talented cast and believes the Medfield community and surrounding area alike won’t want to miss this weekend’s shows.

“[The cast is] phenomenal, it’s so exciting to be working with them,” Jaques said. “It’s so much fun … we did the sing through [a couple of weeks ago] and I was just standing there thinking this was awesome, we sound so good.”

As for when the curtains draw open on opening night Friday, May 11 ... Jaques is certain to experience déjà vu.

“It’s going to be so strange,” Jaques said. “I’m sure it will feel like I'm in high school again, but I’m looking forward to being back on stage and I’m excited.”

Woodland  Theatre Company Presents “Guys and Dolls”

When: Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12 at 8 p.m., Sunday, May 13 (Mother’s Day) at 2 p.m.

Where: Lowell Mason Auditorium, Medfield High School, 88R South St., Medfield

Why go: Come see Jaques and members of the Woodland Theatre Company in a professional production of “Guys and Dolls, a fable about what happens to gambling men and the women who long to tame them,” according to the Woodland Theatre Company’s website. “Set in the colorful world of New York City in the mid 20th century, this romantic and funny musical is populated with gangsters and gamblers, missionary dolls and scantily clad showgirls. Considered by many to be among the greatest of all Broadway musicals, Guys and Dolls contains one the best musical scores in the history of American theatre. Winner of eight Tony Award.” Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, directed by Doug Hodge and music direction by Chris Holownia.

How much: Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at or online at the Woodland Theatre Company’s website by clicking here.