Portraying Sister Mary Hubert in the comedic spoof "Nunsense" isn't the first time Northeast Ohio actress Colleen Longshaw Jackson has played a nun at Porthouse Theatre , the beautiful outdoor summer theater run by Kent State University in Cuyahoga Falls.
The Cleveland Heights actress starred as Deloris, a lounge singer who hid out in a convent disguised as a nun, in the 2016 production of "Sister Act."
Now, the actress, who received a 2001 BFA and a 2015 MFA in acting at Kent State University, is excited for her Porthouse homecoming, with "Nunsense" opening this weekend.
"Nunsense" chronicles the misadventures of five nuns running a talent show fundraiser to bury sisters who've died from botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared by Sister Julia Child of God. Along the way, they sing tunes including "Nunsense Is Habit-Forming" and "Just a Coupla Sisters."
Porthouse is where Producing Artistic Director Terri Kent gave Longshaw Jackson her Actors Equity union card in the 2004 musical "Godspell" early in her career, after she returned from the national tour of "Kiss Me Kate."
Longshaw Jackson has played roles throughout Northeast Ohio, including at Cleveland Play House , Great Lakes Theater , Ohio Shakespeare Festival , Cain Park , Dobama Theatre , Karamu House , Beck Center for the Arts and Mercury Theatre Company.
Here's a Q&A with the actress — who's also the chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for Shaker Heights as well as a minister in real life — to help folks learn what makes this performer tick. (Some answers were edited for brevity.)
Q: What drew you back to Porthouse Theatre to perform in "Nunsense?"
A: I lost my mom (Dorothy Longshaw) a year ago, and I haven't done a show since last June, and I knew I needed to do something to get back, and I wanted something that would just bring me joy and be an uplift. I haven't been at Porthouse in a long time, and I didn't audition initially. I got a call about it, and I thought, "No, I'm not ready." And then Eric van Baars, who is directing it, asked me specifically if I would do it. And I thought, "What better way to come back than to come back to a place I consider home and do a show that is silly enough not to hurt in any way, only to bring joy, and get to work with the people that I grew up with?"
Q. Do you consider comedy harder to do than tragedy?
A: To me, it's harder. But you know, I do DEI work as a job, and that's very ... emotionally exhausting work to do. It's just hard work, and I like to have balance; I need balance. I think in order to do that well, you have to have joy that comes from all directions. That's why I prioritize performing in my life, and I'll use my vacation time and make myself exhausted to do it because it is just the thing that keeps me going. And when I get to do a comedy, it's worth it.
I love to just make people laugh. ... Anytime I can just get on stage and be ridiculous, I'm gonna take it.
Q: What are the main differences between Deloris and Sister Mary Hubert in "Sister Act" and "Nunsense"?
A: So Dolores was using the nun habit as a disguise. And I think my character now, Sister Hubert, they wear their nun habit, but the things that make them special aren't hidden. And so to me, it's a reverse, right? In this ("Nunsense"), you get to see what makes them special and unique, as opposed to trying to hide that. And I think that's what's so funny about the show. You see nuns and you kind of assume they all took the same vows, but they all came there for different reasons. And even though it's not that deep, you don't know much about her story, their personalities come out.
It's just very silly, so it's almost farcical. ... It's good old-fashioned campy musical theater.
Q: Did your undergraduate studies in theater at Kent State University prepare you well for your work as a professional actress?
A: I think one of the reasons why I'm good in musical theater is because I'm an actor. ... I'm an actor first. The storytelling is what's important for me, and my foundation, my acting foundation that was laid at Kent State, was very strong. And I do attribute that training to the success I've had in any way I've used my skills.
Q: As a classically trained actress, how did you get involved in musical theater?
A: I transitioned to musical theater because when I went out to New York, I was trying to pursue Shakespeare, and it just was not very open for women of color. I was constantly getting seen and called in just for slaves and servants. And I could sing, so I started auditioning for musicals, and that's when I booked the ("Kiss Me, Kate") tour, because I just kind of got discouraged.
Q: What has your favorite role been at Porthouse so far?
A: I loved playing Motormouth (Maybelle) in "Hairspray" and I loved playing Osaka in "Once on this Island." And Deloris (in "Sister Act.") They're kind of a tie.
Q: What has been your favorite role ever?
A: I don't have a favorite. Some of the ones that I love the most is when I got to play Oda Mae Brown in "Ghost" (at Beck Center for the Arts last year); I loved playing Mrs. Hardcastle in "She Stoops to Conquer." That was grad school but I had a ball doing that. I just played Nell in "Ain't Misbehavin' " (at Great Lakes Theater in 2023). That was amazing.
Q: What dream role would you like to do?
A: Caroline in "Caroline, or Change." I've done "Caroline, or Change" three times but I haven't been Caroline. And Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney Todd."
Q: What advice would you give young actors trying to break into the business?
A: In a field where we're constantly compared to each other, resist the temptation to compare yourself to anyone else. I think the moments when I was the least confident was when I did the most comparing, and so I was not focusing on the thing that made me special. (Focus) on what that thing is about you that makes you unique and special, because that's the thing you're gonna to have to hold on to.
Q: Why do audiences need to make sure they see "Nunsense"?
A: Because laughing is good for the soul. If you're a person who likes ridiculous things to laugh at, I think you need to see it. ... To be in a space with people who are just laughing, that energy is contagious. I think there's healing in it. I know it's been healing for me in this time of grief, and I think that we underestimate the power of theater to just make us feel good.
Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.
Details
Musical: "Nunsense"
When: Preview 8 p.m. Friday, opening 8 p.m. Saturday, continuing through July 13; 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Porthouse Theatre, 3143 O'Neil Road, Cuyahoga Falls
Cost: Preview $30-$35; regular tickets $34-$48; children $15-$45; young professionals $25-$45
Tickets: Call 330-672-3884 or see www.porhousetheatre.com for single tickets or subscriptions
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 'Laughing is good for the soul': Colleen Longshaw of 'Nunsense' talks acting through grief
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