A Marion native who once sang her heart out as Annie at the Marion Palace Theatre eventually soared across the stage as Elphaba in Wicked. Actress and singer Carly Augenstein has carried her Marion roots with her every step of the way.
“I loved growing up in Marion! I think of Marion as a ‘big small town;’ big enough that there’s always something fun to do and explore and small enough that you can really know the town,” said Augenstein, now age 36.
Carly’s Memories of Growing Up in Marion
As a child, Carly was bursting with creativity.
“I was a little weirdo with a huge imagination! I loved writing sketches and skits and was constantly trying to rope my friends into performing them,” Carly said. “I grew up right on the edge of town without any kid neighbors, so my backyard was everything to me.”
Some of Carly’s favorite childhood memories include roller skating with her mom every Saturday, swimming at Brookside Pool, grabbing ice cream at the Jer-zee, and spending time with friends at the Harding Memorial.
Marion Palace Theatres Opens Doors
The Marion Palace Theatre shaped her future.
“The Palace opened up a whole world to me. It was like I stumbled on this secret universe that had been hiding in my town all along,” Carly said. “It taught me theater etiquette, how to be a good ensemble member, how much fun the process of putting up a show could be, and it gave me an army of lifelong friends.”
Carly’s big break came when she was cast as Annie at the Palace in the summer of 2000. The 11-year-old wasn’t intimidated by the challenge.
“Oddly, I wasn’t nervous at all. I don’t think I knew any better. I was just a ball of excited energy,” Carly recalled.
From River Valley High School to the Big Apple
At River Valley High School, she immersed herself in the arts: musicals, fall plays, show choir, marching band, orchestra, and more.
“I couldn’t get enough of the arts. This is why I didn’t take any math or science my senior year, much to the dismay of our guidance counselor. Oops!” Carly said with a laugh.
The actress credits her teachers and mentors, including choir director Teri Turner and Palace legend Clare Cooke, for shaping her. Did Carly feel her hometown supported her?
“Always,” Carly said. I’m so proud to be from a town that cares so much about the arts,” she said.
Carly earned her bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theatre at Syracuse University. After graduation, she moved to New York City where she performed off-Broadway and toured the United States.
Wrapping Up Wicked
The actress just finished performing as the Elphaba standby on the Broadway North American Tour of Wicked. Carly relished the chance to bring the iconic character to life.
“It feels amazing to slip into a character who is so determined, so passionate, and such an activist,” Carly said. “It’s also an incredible feeling getting to fly during ‘Defying Gravity.’ It never gets old.”
Carly Comes Home
While Augenstein and her husband, Eric, now live in Los Angeles, she is coming home to Marion this week. She will tread the boards at the Palace Theatre on Friday, Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in a show called, “Isn’t She From Here: An Evening with Carly Augenstein.”
Advice for Other Local Actors
Carly has advice for those who danced across the Palace stage for Annie this past summer: “Congrats! I hope you had the best time ever!! Isn’t theater awesome? Even if you don’t decide to pursue a career in this, theater will always be there for you. Keep supporting the arts and stay curious.”
Up in the balcony of the Palace, a seat bears her name — a fitting tribute to the girl who once snuck upstairs to watch rehearsals, dreaming of the stage.
For more info:
Carly Augenstein’s professional website: Carly Augenstein – Actor, Singer, VO, Musician
Palace Theatre show info: Isn’t She From Here | Palace
Related Articles:
The Palace Lights Up Downtown Marion for 95 Years | MarionMade
Jen Bender’s Love of Musical Theatre | MarionMade
Christmas at the Palace | MarionMade
Community Collaborates to Perform Handel’s Messiah | MarionMade
Punchline Spreads Popcorn Flavors and Supports Local Arts | MarionMade
Marionaires Make Sweet Music in Harmony | MarionMade
MarionMade! is a program of Marion Technical College.
