Big Hair - Big Dreams: Meet Lisa Autry as Prudy Pingleton (and others)

Photo by Jordan Spears

In 1960s Baltimore, Tracy Turnblad is ready to dance her way into the spotlight—and into everyone’s hearts. This toe-tapping comedy brings a whirlwind of rhythm, laughter, and the unstoppable beat of change.

Winner of three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the toe-tapping, heartwarming, feel good musical HAIRSPRAY ends its smash-hit run on September 20th.

Three characters, three transformations, one talented actor: Lisa Autry is diving headfirst into Hairspray.

Autry, who works in Radiology Admissions at Iredell Memorial Hospital, takes on three distinct characters in Hairspray: Prudy, the Gym Teacher, and the Matron. “They’re all very different, and that will be a lot of fun,” she says. A lifelong theatre lover, Lisa first performed in Anything Goes and Grease back in the 1980s, and more recently in Plaza Suite and Spoon River at Roxboro Little Theater.

After losing her husband Michael earlier this year, Lisa felt drawn back to the community theatre world where the two of them first met. She lives in Hickory with her two sons, Ethan and Cody, and enjoys singing, painting, and ceramics. On stage, she admits she’s most likely to “trip and fall on the set” — but she’s sure to land in style.

Hairspray is suitable for ages 10 and up. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for students/youth 18 & under, available at hickorytheatre.org or 828-328-2283. Hairspray is produced in association with MoreRon Productions.

Hickory Community Theatre is a Funded Affiliate of Arts Culture Catawba and receives sustaining support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The 77th season is supported by The City of Hickory, A Cleaner World, Shurtape Technologies, Acuna & Acuna Dentistry and BelleAge.