On with the Show: Tuned In

Three local women are taking Wilmington’s theater scene to new heights with their work both on stage and behind the scenes.

Professional performer and dancer CARSON HOBBS has garnered acclaim for her exciting choreography and directing. BETH STOVALL is a soprano who enchants both opera and musical theater fans. And MYRA GRAHAM QUINCE is a singer and actor who mesmerizes audiences with her bold voice and vivid character portrayals.

By passionately pursuing their dreams, each of these women has overcome whatever obstacles lay in their way to make it on the big stage.

For some, dreams really do come true. Such is the case for MYRA GRAHAM QUINCE.

Though Quince had long been known for her work as a gospel singer, acting was something of a fantasy. Then a friend cast her as one of the church ladies in Techmoja’s staging of The Color Purple in 2012, and Quince took up acting, too.

Since Quince’s fortuitous debut, she has lit up Wilmington’s stages with her unique, full-bodied voice and heartfelt acting. In addition to performing in Effie in Dreamgirls in 2013 and 2020, Quince again played a church lady in Techmoja’s recent reprised production of The Color Purple at Thalian Hall.

“I’ve always loved singing, and I always wanted to sing, and I never thought I would get into acting like this,” Quince says.  “I did a favor for a friend, and another director saw me and thought I could do Effie in Dreamgirls.”

Though Quince’s foray into acting was successful, it wasn’t without risk. Quince had been singing since she was two years old, but her work had always been church related. Furthermore, Quince had no formal training in voice or acting. In fact, diving into acting was downright scary for the singer.

“It was terrifying but also an amazing experience – terrifying and thrilling,” she says.

Quince also found that auditioning for roles presented a different set of challenges. She had to find a way to bolster her courage when directors were looking for an actor with another body type.

“There are times when I was overlooked because of the look they wanted, but I’ve always had the voice,” Quince says. “If at some point I’m insecure about how I look because I’m a big girl, when I get the opportunity to sing, I think, ‘I’ve got this.’”

To further prove she has what it takes for a role, Quince prepares extensively. She studies the parts; pulls from her own experiences to relate to the character; and, when possible, gets tips from actors who have played the role before.

While Quince has been trodding the boards, she has also continued her work as a gospel singer. She has released several singles and plans to release another this summer.

Quince’s journey as a singer and actress has been exciting and fulfilling. It has also led her to value her special gifts.

“I have learned to appreciate the uniqueness of my voice,” Quince says. “I don’t sing like anyone else. I have a big, bold voice, and it’s my own sound. That alone makes me stand out.”

I have learned to appreciate the uniqueness of my voice. I don’t sing like anyone else. I have a big, bold voice, and it’s my own sound. That alone makes me stand out. – Myra Graham Quince

To view more of photographer Daria Amato’s work, go to dariaphoto.com

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