Akina Edmonds, Hamilton star, 37: ‘Women during that era had to find creative ways to influence bigger decisions’

The hit musical Hamilton has attracted criticism for taking artistic licence with history. But one star of the local production is having none of it.

Akina Edmonds, centre, as Angelica in Hamilton. Picture: Daniel Boud

Musical theatre performers tend to be known as a “triple threat” – actor, singer, and dancer. Which is the most challenging for you? I would never insult dancers by calling myself a technical dancer. It definitely takes me a minute to pick up choreography. Executing the dancing – from brain to body – has been an interesting journey.

What led you to a career on the stage? I grew up in Napier in New Zealand and started my career auditioning for a Buddy Holly musical in Auckland which then turned into bookings that sent me over to Australia. Every job that followed – and I’ve been in Australia for 15 years – came through other musicals. Doing musical theatre for so long is partly why I auditioned for The Voice.

Akina Edmonds

What did you learn from being part of The Voice? I had some experience because I originally auditioned for New Zealand Idol, largely because Mum was pretty keen to see me on there. I wanted to understand how I’d get marketed as an artist outside of theatre. With The Voice, I realised I needed my essence to infiltrate every song.

Did that help you prepare for your role as Angelica Schuyler in the musical Hamilton? Yes it did. You know, I’m never going to perform Angelica like Renée [Goldsberry from the original production of Hamilton]. I spent so long trying to fit so many moulds of the kind of performer I should be. Hamilton has been the perfect example of not having to fit into one box.

Angelica is one of the breakout characters in the musical. Why do you think she resonates with so many people? It’s been written that she and [Alexander] Hamilton share the same plane of intelligence – and that’s the reason why she’s the only female who raps in the show. She captivates the rebel in everyone. It’s known she was a socialite; she’d had intimate chats with Thomas Jefferson. Angelica’s a vehicle for people to realise that women during that era had to find creative ways to influence bigger decisions.

Akina Edmonds as Angelica

The musical has attracted controversy for straying from historical facts. What do you think this unconventional approach adds to the storytelling? If you really want historical facts then write your own show and see how that’s received. [Show creator] Lin [Manuel Miranda] and the team have focused on the idea that the people making history were flawed humans. Once you watch the show you let go of the complaint because you get so lost in the relationships, the failures, the successes of humans.

Angelica and Hamilton’s relationship has translated into real-life love for you and Trey Curtis, who plays the title character on Broadway. How did you meet? Hamilton brought us together when Trey came to Australia during our Melbourne season. [The show] is very good like that. It’s public knowledge that there have been more than a few couples who have met on Hamilton.

What’s the secret to success in a long-distance relationship? Communication is key. One of the coolest things about both of us being in the show is we understand and support each other as performers. But we’re also very good at keeping our work and relationship separate.

Hamilton is playing at Sydney Lyric Theatre until January 5.