Walt Disney’s famous pride of lions has grown to include a former University student. University alumna Maurica Roland will perform as part of Disney’s “The Lion King” on Broadway, which opens Wednesday in New Orleans at the Mahalia Jackson Theater and runs through April 15. Roland studied musical education at the University and was involved in multiple performances, singing as the soloist for many musical ensembles. She was also involved with the dance-theatre company Of Moving Colors Productions. “Both [singing and dancing] have given me the opportunity to really be myself and to express myself,” Roland said. Roland is contracted as a singer for “The Lion King” and performs regularly as a member of the ensemble. She is also the understudy for several parts that require dancing, including the female lead of Nala. She said the role requires lots of simultaneous physical movement and full-out singing. To prepare for a performance, Roland does vocal warm-ups, stretching and yoga backstage. Another preparation tactic Roland uses is visualization, as performing multiple roles is mentally taxing. “I visualize myself doing the entire show, and that pretty much preps me for having to go into those roles,” Roland said. After a six months performing on Celebrity Cruises, Roland moved to Orlando to work at Disney World. She said she was finally making enough money to begin flying to New York to be cast in larger shows. “You just kind of audition and cross your fingers,” she said. She auditioned three times for “The Lion King” before earning a spot in the production. In her sixth year on Broadway, Roland is well past stage fright. “To do a show is almost like breathing,” Roland said, “It’s a part of my life. It’s what I do every night.” She said she enjoys evoking an emotional reaction and hearing the crowd’s excitement. Roland, a former music teacher, said one particular performance of “The Lion King” in Jacksonville to a theater full of children reminded her of the students she taught in Pensacola. She said the show reminded her of her decision to leave the school to perform professionally full-time. She said she intends to return to teaching, and when she does she wants her students to know it’s possible for each of them to be part of a major production. “I’m not any more special than any of my students that I’ve ever taught or any students that come to see the show,” Roland said. “What I’m doing right now is the result of hard work, focus, dedication and faith. I want my students to see that.” Roland described hearing the cheering audience of children as a “full-circle moment,” knowing the cast had the opportunity to inspire kids. Roland laughed and recalled crying through the first act before pulling herself together. Roland said a quick turnaround makes the nearly nightly performances difficult. She said the cast often works 12-hour days and doesn’t have time between locations to recuperate or adjust to the environment. Roland said a typical example would be wrapping up a production on Sunday night and opening in another city on Tuesday. At the bare minimum each person has two 50-pound suitcases, a carry-on and a backpack, she said. The travel adds to the stress of the work, which is already physically demanding. Roland said the performers have to take care of themselves obsessively with daily vitamins and exercise. Roland said she couldn’t be more excited to be performing in New Orleans, as her friends and family will be able to attend. She is eager to show the people that have encouraged her, including University professors, where their prayers and support have gotten her. Roland is currently teaching piano lessons to the children of performers traveling with the cast. She said she’ll always teach, but she doesn’t have a set plan for the future. “Every time I’ve tried to plan something, God has had other plans. So I’m just going with the flow,” Roland said.
 
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