"Meet the Cast of Les Miserables" blog series #8: Meet Cosette!

Chantal Desjardins, our Cosette

Chantal is from Haverhill, MA. Last May, she graduated from UMass–Lowell with degree in Communications with a focus in Philosophy and recently became an executive assistant for a company that ships high-valued products all across the country. Part-time, she works at a shoe store to feed her extreme addiction to shoes! Chantal has been in love with theatre since she first went on a stage at 6 years old. She has performed with the North Shore Music Theatre, Emerson Umbrella, Pentucket Players, Colonial Chorus Players, and Anna Smulowitz Productions; this is her first show with ACT Andover. Some of her favorite roles include Peter (Jesus Christ Superstar), Cinderella (Into the Woods), Isabelle (Scrooge), and a Delta Nu (Legally Blonde). When she is not working or on stage, she loves playing with her three-year-old Shih Tzu, Darla (like the Little Rascals character).

What was your first experience with Les Misérables?

After my mom and grandmother went to see a production of Les Mis in Boston, they both fell in love with the show. I was too young to see the show at the time, but one day my mom recorded (on a VHS not DVR!) the PBS showing of the Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Dream Cast. She played the song “Castle on a Cloud” for me over and over. Already knowing I could sing, I think she did this as a way to get me singing something besides the Annie selections she was all too familiar with. As I grew up, I learned to love the entire show, and saw my first live production at Andover High School (coincidentally, the same as Cara Kennedy, who plays Madame Thénardier!).

What has it been like to prepare for your role?

Besides having a minor panic attack that my Mezzo singing voice would have to sing very high Soprano notes, I was very interested in the development of my character. I don’t think audience members get much about who Cosette is, based on what she sings. Spoiler alert?... She lives a very privileged life, falls in love at first sight, and then is one of the only characters in the show to have a “happy ending,.” Unfortunately, that’s about it. I want to make sure I could convey her emotions more deeply, and show some kind of underlying message that you don’t hear, but rather see. I want to make sure I can create a realistic person out of the typical “sheltered, love-struck” woman everyone is used to seeing.  

What about this production excites you the most?

I feel so incredibly lucky to be a part of one of the first companies in the area to perform the full show. I also get to share the stage with some of the most talented people I have worked with before. I think I will be most excited when I see the real barricade for the first time. My favorite scenes are the ones that take place on the barricade, and I think it creates one of the most iconic images in theatre. 

How has local theatre and performing enriched your life?

Musical theatre has helped me feel confident enough to pursue a career in communications. I have been able to develop great speaking skills, as well as being able to interact with the public comfortably. What I love most about being in musicals, however is being able to transform into a totally different person. It’s also great when I get to sing about stuff without being looked at strangely!