Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, Gail grew up watching her father rehearse community theatre from the hayloft of a barn converted to a performance space. She would observe while sitting on old set pieces, enjoying a snack and often knew the lines to the entire show before her father could recite his own. Her first role was as Tom the Turkey in her First Grade Thanksgiving play in which her best friend cooked her for dinner.
After singing in church from early childhood, she began voice lessons at the age of 12 and received a first place ranking at the State Solo/Ensemble competition in the 8th grade. She danced and performed in theatre actively throughout her formative years and was also a self-proclaimed “jock.” She played Basketball, Soccer, Softball, and Tennis and ran Cross-Country.
Eventually, performing took more of her focus as she began working with the professional Madison Opera, toured with the show choir Kids from Wisconsin and Took 2nd Place in the NATS singing Competition.
It was a production of West Side Story in her junior year of high school (which rehearsed in that very same barn) that solidified her decision to make performing her career. She attended the University of Miami in their BFA Musical theatre Conservatory program before going to Germany to train with Music Theatre Bavaria. She transferred to Brigham Young University and received a BFA in Music/Dance/Theatre.
During a summer contract at Tuacahn Amphitheatre immediately following her schooling, She auditioned
for Mel Brooks’ The Producers at the Paris Las Vegas on the strip and won the featured role of Usherette/Lick-me Bite-me. She moved with her new husband Actor Aaron DeJesus to start their married life in the desert. Their careers blossomed and took them both all over the world.
Some career highlights include:
-Mary Poppins First National Tour in which Gail performed the title role over 100 times.
-Eliza Doolittle in Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of My Fair Lady opposite Tony winner Jefferson Mays, John Schuck, Tim Jerome, and Nancy Dussault
-Maria in The Sound of Music opposite Rex Smith
-Janet Van der Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone with Sally Struthers
-Marian Paroo in The Music Man opposite Davis Gaines
-Being nominated opposite Chita Rivera and Laura Michelle Kelly in the Best Actress category of the IRNE Awards for her portrayal of Mary Poppins at the Ogunquit Playhouse
and many others (see her resume)
She always says that her favorite roles are wife and mother (to an adorable little cherub). She appears daily in these roles.
She will be re-locating to NYC in summer of 2016. Check out Aaron's website at: aarondejesusonline.com
