Cara Ricketts
Catch the talented stunner Cara Ricketts starring on Broadway as Hermione in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child . She is so compelling, cool and up for adventure with a unique sweet star quality all her own. We had a blast as she styled herself up at one of our favorite designers spots Batsheva’s in NYC. Thanks to Cara’s super talent love Tom Pecinka (a Bare feature you can check out here) we were able to connect. Scroll on down and peruse our photo diary and Cara’s words on all things from the world of Harry Potter, embracing her natural curls, skincare/makeup favorites to the those essential Bare Essentials.
The Bare Magazine: You've been starring in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway for a few months now. What are you still loving about your character, Hermione, and the story?
Cara Ricketts: Hi! Thanks for having me in your mag! What I love about my character... Hermione is so iconic. There are so many little girls that come to the show ready to see Hermione, even dressed up as her. There are also older audience members who come to cheer her on in her new life as a mother, a wfie to Ron and a boss - The Minister of Magic herself. Every night backstage my cast members will come by and greet me with a little bow and say "Minister" and I bow back wishing them a good show. Hermione feels like one of the touchstones in this play, based on a book that so many have read. They come to the show to see her and the Hogwarts crew and remember the lives we read about before and watch how she deals with the drama of the play in the now. I think I love that the most, that there is a kind of memory, a history that the audience shares with the show and heightens what she goes through. We get cheers some nights when Ron and I kiss and I can help but giggle knowing people have been waiting for that to happen from the moment they enter the theater. She's also is a great balance of bookworm and curiosity and adventurer, which I love.
Bare: How do you keep it as fresh as possible?
CR: I always come from where I am, The show will be fresh if I don't try to recreate what I did on opening night. If I'm excited on Tuesday, so Is Hermione and I let the show take me where it needs to go. I really got to test that out by only doing one show eight times a week for one year. It's been really interesting to experience adapting to that kind of life, saying the same words over and over, and how to also keep myself in check and make sure I'm not running on autopilot. I'm also enjoying testing the boundaries of my ability, now that I know the piece so well, what tiny things can I discover by being as in the moment as possible.
Bare: We had the pleasure of shooting and chatting with your very talented partner and star of Stereophonic, Tom Pecinka! You are both performing on stage — can you describe the highs and lows of that routine?
CR: My Love! Tom is the best and I feel like it's been such a blessing to be sharing a Broadway experience with him. The highs are: getting to drive home together with our dog Molly because we're both in three hour plus shows. Getting to discuss the work and dreams with someone who completely understands because we do the same thing and share a vibe, finding time and ways to unwind and respect that, this business can be so overwhelming that taking real time for selfcare can be hard but with a partner it's nice to have someone hold me accountable and also turn selfcare into a date.
The lows: not having a lot of time to be all the way present. Today is our day off and we just slept in for most of it and had to talk through feeling guilty about it, I took Molly for a walk today and she wanted to do the long walk that we did more often last year, I look forward to that more once my contract is done. I think more than anything the low is time and energy. I would like to have more time and I'd like to get my knees back, I've overworked them in the show so some rest will be good. I swear I had Megan's knees before I started Hogwarts.
Bare: We had so much fun playing at one of our favorite designers stores BATSHEVA! you thought the HAG t-shirt felt rather fitting for Hermione! what were some favorite moments from our shoot? and you came away with embracing your curly hair texture then cutting it!
CR: I'm wearing my hair curly right now! I'm trying to accept my curls more and I've had the chance to grow my hair out under my Hermionie wig. Before that I dyed it blonde (at home) and was straightening it every chance I had. I was nervous shooting with you because I didn't have time to straighten my hair and I was kinda worried about it but Tom was so sweet and told how he liked my curly hair so I decided to just go with it. At the shoot Tina was so amazing and made me feel comfortable with my natural hair, she even gave me a little makeshift trim with nail scissors lol. I later went to @rezosalon and got a professional curly cut by Eladi Y Lebron.
My fav moments of the shoot, there were so many! I like how we just went with a flow. The hag shirt was more for my Hermione, it's definitely the shirt she wears at home after coming down from a long day. I really enjoyed putting on my big wig and playing in Hag energy, I also loved that sequined capelet, the Synergy Cape in Pink and Rose Gold Sequin that Taylor showed me and being cheeky by wearing it alone with the Etta Skirt in Shell Pink - that skirt is so pretty! I love the way the sequins reflected off my skin. oh and shooting upside down in Cera Skirt in Cream & Black Moiré... love love loved it!
Bare: You seem really into makeup and skincare. Your eyebrows are insane! what are some of your recent go-to products ...including for the stage? and your after show cleansing process...you have such gorgeous skin!
CR: Bless! I like to switch it up to keep my skin happy. right now my cleanser is Dermalogica oil to foam cleanser - it's so great for that heavy theater makeup and I don't have to do an oil cleanse before my regular cleanser because it's two in one. It's also not harsh on my skin at all but a great deep clean, I highly recommend it. Then I follow up with some witch hazel for a toner and at night time I'll give my skin some extra love with SK-II PITERA™ Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, I always feel extra fancy putting it on, I tap it into my skin (my mom told me to do this) but Tom sees me lightly slapping my face and he'll jokingly say "Oh, you putting on your serums and creams" then I threaten to rub lotion on him.
Molly gets it too, I'll rub some coconut oil on her paws every once in a while. For Serums I like The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is I'm breaking out. Lately I've been using good old Aloe Vera since I wanted to give my skin a break.Then I follow up with lotion, i'll use natural Shea butter on my no makeup days and black girl sunscreen on workdays. I always use a Primer I like the feeling of a barrier between my skin and makeup. My makeup faves are Tom Ford’s Traceless Soft Matte Foundation in 7.2 sepia - that color works for my undertone and that foundation is so breathable and buildable. I'm also a really big fan of Dior's ROSY GLOW in 012 Rosewood, it looks like a really natural blush.
Bare: You mentioned creating a few products yourself - are you trying some DIY?
CR: I like to DIY, yes my last project was making a lotion, I had to keep it in the fridge because it had no preservatives but it came out pretty good. I've made deodorant too and laundry soap. I like knowing what is in my intimate products. I'd like to make it more often.
Bare: Who are some of your stage and screen idols and inspirations? also are there some that are big style influences ?
CR: Eartha Kitt, Tom Ford, Maggie Smith, Grace Jones, Denzel Washington, Hedy Lamarr, Fredi Washington, Kevin Germanier, Miquela.
Bare: What do you and Tom like to do to really recharge and decompress? Also, we love your pup Molly we hear you may adopt another soon?!
CR: We got so... so close to adopting another dog after we went to Broadway Barks. I really want a small dog and I think Tom is interested, but we're trying to be smart about it. If we have to travel or leave town that's two dogs that we have to figure out traveling with or needing to board. I think the plan for now is getting a feel of what life post broadway will be like and how we can make it possible - Tom thinks it'll be good for Molly to have another dog in the house. Recharge and decompress? Right now, sleep feels like a win. After a show we like to come home and watch love island and cuddle.
Bare: Please list your top 5 Bare Essentials.
CR:
Top 5? hmm...
1. Family - nothing beats having the love and support of family.
2. Skipping Rope - great way to exercise especially when travelling.
3. YouTube - you can learn anything on that platform. I've been to youtube university many many times
4. Eyeliner
5. A dress that fits you just right.