This actress performs two opposite roles in ‘Hamilton.’ Here’s how she does it

First, she’s a sister. Then she’s a seductress.

Olivia Puckett gets the best of both worlds, playing two roles that couldn’t be more different in the musical “Hamilton,” now on tour in Miami.

Puckett is no stranger to Tony award-winning musicals. The actress previously starred in “Dear Evan Hansen” on Broadway.

You can see Puckett as Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds in “Hamilton”at the Arsht Center though Sunday, March 15.

We chatted with Puckett about her dual roles and what life is like on tour as she prepared for her Miami run.

Q: How do you get into character for your two very contrasting roles in Hamilton?

A: Peggy is the youngest sister, and I think something that’s very helpful is just hanging out with my other two sisters in the dressing room before the show. It’s that simple. I’ve gotten pretty lucky to work with the greatest actresses of the land, so we just have a lot of fun getting ready and putting our makeup on. That’s honestly all I need to get ready for that character. And then for Maria, I just take a few seconds backstage before “Say No to This,” which is the song she sings with Hamilton, just to switch gears and get into more of a sultry mode.

Q: What’s the best part about playing two totally different roles in the same show?

A: It’s really an actor’s dream to play two roles in one show because you get to be both sides of the coin. I get to be funny little sister and then I get to switch over to the pretend damsel in distress who ends up taking all [Hamilton’s] money. You don’t ever really get bored.

Q: Do you feel like you’re held to a higher standard as an actor performing in such a highly acclaimed show?

A: I put pressure on myself in every show I do, so it just is more of an honor to be in “Hamilton” because it is so popular and so exciting. And I think it adds a little fuel because people really save up to come see this show. It’s more of a positive type of pressure.

Q: How did touring change your day-to-day life?

A: I have to stay a bit more organized, just because we pick up and move cities pretty often. I also have my dog on tour, so she keeps me pretty routine as far as getting up in the morning and starting my day pretty early.

Q: What has been your favorite stop so far?

A: I really loved Louisville, Kentucky. My dad’s from right outside Louisville so for some reason I really had fun there. And I loved Philadelphia. We were there for 3 months, so I was able to have a lot of friends and family come see the show and stay with me and I could go home to New York whenever I wanted, so that was really fun. And Florida has been great just because we’re kind of bypassing winter. We’re all pretty happy that we don’t have to be in the snow.

Q: Have you been going to the beach a lot?

A: I haven’t gone to the beach as much on the east coast of Florida. When we were over in Naples I went to the beach quite a few times. Here, just because I’ve had a pool and a really big backyard at our Airbnb I’ve just been staying around kind of locally. I should go to the beach, though. I grew up in San Diego and I was always at the beach.

Q: When did you move to New York?

A: I moved to New York in 2009 for school. I went to school at Wagner College on Staten Island, and I just sort of stayed there. I’ve been there for about 10 years.

Q: How do you keep your stamina up?

A: I think over time you build up stamina. Especially in this show. Its like being shot out of a rocket, or out of a cannon. You have to sing every day, so I try to warm up every single day and sing during the day as much as I can.I walk her two hours a day. Even if I don’t have time to work out, I’m moving in some way. The show honestly just kicks your butt into gear. You’re going to build up stamina whether you like it or not.

Q: What’s your favorite number to perform in the show?

A: I love “Schuyler Sisters” just because I really love the girls who I play sisters with. We have so much fun. It’s always so giggly and silly.

TICKET AND SHOW INFORMATION

What: Hamilton

Where: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami

When: Through Sunday, March 15

Tickets: Starting at $59, available at arshtcenter.org

This story was originally published March 1, 2020 at 11:35 AM.