Francesca Giordano
What companies/classes are you currently in?
I am currently in Sr Cats, Tap Cats, and George’s select tap company, Hoofers.
When did you start at Center Stage?
I started at Centerstage at the age of 3.
Do you remember your first dance routine?
Of course! It was a tap and ballet combo class with Mrs. Pam, who is someone that I consider a very good friend and mentor! My first dance was “Much More Friendly With Pooh”.
What was your Center Stage journey?
My Centerstage Journey has been a long one, to say the least. I took tap combo classes from age 3-5, from a young age it was very evident that I had a passion for the arts. At age 6 I convinced my mom to let me try jazz, I immediately fell in love with it. At 7 I began competing as a Cub and a Jr Tap Kid. At 9 I started Jr Cats which I did for three years. At the age of 10, I auditioned to be in Mickey’s senior production and I got in! My Jr Cat 3 year, I auditioned for and got my first ever lead role in our production, Poltergeist. I played the protective older sister of Carolaine which is funny because I was the youngest in my company. At 11, I started Tap Cats….. yes I’ve been in Tap Cats for 7 years! At the age of 12 I made it into the Senior Cat Company. I was so happy and excited to begin my time in such a high and well respected company here at CS. At 13 I was Clara in the Nutcracker, this is when I realized that I loved ballet. I also was the lead of Mickey’s Senior Cat production that year. At 15, I was selected to be in George’s Hoofers company. That year I won first place at several competitions and the highest scoring routine of the week for my solo “Human” choreographed by my favorite person ever, Tori Moots. At 16 I was Snow Queen in our Nutcracker. Performing a principal role and being able to partner with a professional dancer was an experience I am very grateful for. My Junior year my solo “La VieEn Rose” choreographed by Tori Moots won first place and Senior Miss Edge. My long anticipated Senior year I perform the lead role of my company dance “Tree of Souls”. From a young age I respected and admired all of my CS teachers, and made it my goal to work hard so that my talent and energy was recognized. It is such a full circle moment getting to be the lead of a piece my senior year.
How did acting and singing fit into your program, and how did they affect your Center Stage experience?
Acting and singing was something I started with later on into my CS career. I started my first acting class with Stephen when I was a Jr Cat 2, at the age of 10. That first year, I was cast into 2 scenes. I was a little stressed when it came to memorizing two different sets of lines and two different parts but I managed it pretty well for never taking acting before. The following year Stephen put me into a specialized and more focused acting class. which we called the PPP (Pre-Pre-Professional) As a sophomore I became a member of his Pre Professional acting class. I enjoyed all the unique and different roles I’ve played in Stephen’s class: cheerleader, a sister who’s in love with her sister’s husband, and a British man living in Colonial Africa. I started taking voice when I started the main stage shows, which I’ll get into soon!
When did you start auditioning for mainstage shows, and which was your favorite role?
Auditioned for my first main stage role when I was 10 and I was casted as Sally in our little kid show. The following year I was in an ensemble song. In 7th grade I was in the main cast of the middle show. In 8th grade I had my first ever featured singing role in the middle show; this experience is what led me to sort of throne into singing. Being a part of the show made me realize that I wanted to start taking singing lessons to become a “triple threat”. The following year I signed up for private voice lessons at CS. Taking voice lessons helped me earn a lead in the main stage gala and a solo song my freshman and sophomore year. My senior year, I had a very featured role in the mainstage show. This past year I grew so much playing “Joan” and it has definitely been my favorite role thus far.
Why has it been worth all of the energy you’ve put into it and the sacrifices you’ve made?
Being in every company possible at CS I have had to make many sacrifices. I missed out on a lot of “normal'' high school experiences, but the memories I made at CS are unique and worth it. All the hours I have spent training, assisting, working at summer camps, and subbing classes has given me a strong foundation in responsibility, team work, leadership, and determination.
Do you do other outside of school activities?
Outside of CS I am involved in a variety of other activities. I attend Howell High School and am in the FPAC program where I major in dance. Through this program we have an entire dance curriculum and put on performances. I have also been on my high school’s varsity dance team for four years and this year I am the captain. We perform during halftime at my school’s varsity basketball and football games which is something I love doing. Aside from dance I am a member of the national honor society at school. I am involved in several school clubs: I volunteer at Friendship Circle with young adults with disabilities, I tutor elementary and middle school students, and I babysit A LOT. Yes, my schedule is very packed. Although my schedule at CS is very rigorous, if you’re ambitious, like me, you will certainly find time to do it all.
If you could donate a million dollars to any charity, what cause would you choose?
If I could donate 1 million to any charity I would definitely split it up between Friendship Circle, National Breast Cancer Foundation, and Dementia Society of America.
If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?
Easy question! Italy! I am 100% Italian and I have never been to Italy! I would love to visit and meet my relatives and learn more about my roots! And of course go sight-seeing!
What would your superpower be and why?
If I could have any superpower, I wish I would have an invisible mental switch that allowed me to “turn on” self-confidence. Being confident in myself is the hardest thing for me and something that I am VERY good at hiding. There were many times in life where I wished I could have just been more confident and having this superpower would allow me to stop holding myself back and live more boldly and freely!
If you were independently wealthy and never had to get a job, what would you do with your time?
If I was wealthy and never needed to work a day in my life I would definitely still keep a packed schedule. Since I want to have a career in the medical field I would want to do all of my future procedures and surgeries pro bono, I would also like to travel everywhere and anywhere.
If you could live in another time, what time (decade?, century?) would you choose?
I do not think I would rather live in another decade. I truly believe there is no time greater than the present! However, I would like a time machine to visit some of my ancestors I’ve never met and just see what life used to be like before technology and social media took over.
If you started a late night talk show, who would you have on as your first guest?
My first guest on my talk show would be someone who is no longer alive. But since this is an imaginary talk show, Anne Reinking because she is my dance role model and I would love to meet her.
What’s next?
What’s next? Good Question because I am still unsure! Here is what I know, I will be attending Rutgers in the fall for two semesters. Then in fall 2022 I will be attending Boston University as a biochem major with a pre med focus. Maybe I’ll go to a few auditions this year! I do not know what I will do with dance, but I am not ready to stop doing it just yet.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I see myself as a dermatologist with a focus in cosmetic procedures like botox and fillers.
Will you come back to visit Center Stage, or are you gone for good when you’re out the door?
After coming to the studio almost every day for the past 15 years there is no way I’d never come back! I’ll definitely visit my CS fam!