Emelie Faith Thompson, has been eyeing the role of Jenna in Virginia Rep’s production of Waitress, opening June 20, ever since the project was in development.
“I love the story, and I love the movie from 2007. I’ve loved the music of [Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles] since college,” says Thompson, noting Bareilles wrote the music for Waitress. “I also love the whole exploration of motherhood and Jenna questioning her identity. There is not a ton of theatre that explores motherhood. It’s so universal.”
Thompson, who grew up in Culpepper, Va., has always known that motherhood would be part of her life. She is married to Nathan Whitmer, a fellow actor. The two met at Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Va. in 2009 and now have three children under the age of eight.
“I am balancing family life,” she says of motherhood and acting.
In playing Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, Thompson’s character finds herself unexpectedly pregnant and stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. A baking contest offers her the chance for a new beginning.
“It’s an exploration of can she follow her dreams and relationships along the way,” she says. “Is she brave enough? Her friends believe in her, but she has to learn to believe in herself.”
Thompson found her own voice in church. “We had an amazing music ministry,” she says. “We put on plays twice a year. It was the best part of my life.”
But, the acting bug didn’t bite until seventh grade when she played Sandy in Grease. “That is when I knew what I wanted to do with my life,” she says.
During her career, Thompson has worked in two national tours — A Christmas Carol and Miracle on 34th Street, — Off-Broadway, and regionally, appearing in everything from Ragtime and Anything Goes to My Fair Lady and Annie Get Your Gun. She also starred in Virginia Rep’s production of MAMMA MIA! as Donna.
Thompson loves musical theatre because “it’s a living, breathing collaborative art form,” she says. “It is the most human version of storytelling we have, and it’s the best way to connect people.”
When it comes to Waitress, she feels that she and Jenna are alike in several ways.
“We are creative, both mothers and both pretty determined to make the best out of the circumstances we have,” she says.
They are also different in many ways. “Jenna doesn’t have support, and I am fortunate to have a wonderful marriage and family support,” she says. “I do, however, identify with her in moments where she questions herself and works to overcome her setbacks.”
While she may not be an expert in the kitchen, Thompson does love to bake but finds little free time to do so.
“My husband’s favorite dessert is key lime pie, and I make it for him on his birthday,” she says, adding that even though there is no oven on stage (the fire department thanks you), Jenna does work with real ingredients and dough on stage.
Thompson enjoys the entire show but she does have two moments on stage that stand out, she says.
In Act One, Jenna makes a pie with the two other waitresses and sings “Soft Place to Land.” “I have been singing that to my children as a lullaby,” Thompson says.
“You Matter to Me,” a song in Act Two is also a favorite, she says.
When audiences leave Waitress, Thompson wants them to feel hopeful about their own life.
“Even when people feel circumstances are not ideal, life can surprise us in amazing ways,” she says. “I hope they come away from the show remembering the music because it’s so so beautiful. This is such a heartwarming, human story. We are so excited to share it.”
Waitress plays at Virginia Rep in the November Theatre from June 20 through August 3. For tickets, visit https://va-rep.org/events/waitress. *Content Warning: Contains mature language and themes, including domestic violence. Recommended for adult audiences.
