Wherever the Wind Takes Her: Meredith Fox’s Journey on and off the Sta

Life as a performing artist is always moving, new cities, new stages, new challenges. For Meredith Fox, that’s all part of the journey. Currently starring as Kathy Selden in Singing in the Rain, she’s built her career by following her passion and going wherever opportunities take her. 

From rehearsing in unpredictable environments to performing through long, physically demanding days, staying prepared is essential. Over time, Meredith has developed small routines that travel with her, helping her feel ready, grounded, and at her best wherever her next role takes her.

In this Q&A, she shares her journey into performing, the realities of life on the road, and the simple tools that help her stay warm, focused, and ready to step on stage.

Q&A with Meredith Fox

Q: Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your journey as a performing artist?

I’m Meredith Fox. I started as a musical theater performer, and I began by dancing. I started dancing when I was three years old, and I just kept with it. I started with ballet, and then I slowly began adding different styles of dance. When I got to high school, I didn’t really realize that this was an actual job I could do. I just thought that people on Broadway had 9 to 5 jobs and then would go and do the show.

So it wasn’t until high school that I realized this was something I could go to school for and pursue as what I wanted to do. I ended up going to Elon University, where I earned a BFA in Music Theater, and I graduated in 2021. Ever since, I’ve been working job to job, contract to contract. I was in New York for a bit, and now I just go wherever the wind takes me. I’m kind of going all over, doing the thing, but it’s been a lot of fun. It’s been great.

Q: Have you had to do anything on the side, or are you fully focused on performing?

When I was in New York, I was doing what we call the survival gigs. But ever since, when I’m not in New York, I get pulled out of the city to perform. So I’ve been very fortunate that I’ve been going contract to contract primarily, and then when I am in New York, I know the people I can reach out to for work whenever I’m there. It’s been great.

Q: What are you currently working on?

I'm currently in Singing in the Rain. I'm playing Kathy Selden (the Debbie Reynolds character of the movie). There's a lot of tap dancing! Tap is one of my favorites, so it's fun to be able to do that too.

Q: When did you know performing was your path?

It's hard to pinpoint a specific time, but I've been really fortunate my whole life. My parents and my family are just so supportive, and there was never any questioning of me pursuing it. They did everything they could to support me and let that happen. 

So I think it was just a gradual acceptance, and there was just a want within me of, like, I just I want to do this, and I just felt this pull to do it, and my parents never told me no, which I'm really grateful for.

Q: Do performers usually have side jobs?

The contract I’m doing now is kind of unique; we have a pretty even split between those of us who were brought in and those who are local. It seems like for the local performers, it’s a lot easier to manage other jobs because this is their home, so they have a more consistent routine.

Part of what’s great (but also challenging) about working contract to contract is that you get to see all of these different places. But it can also be hard to find a steady routine you can carry with you, regardless of where you are geographically.

Q: What type of performances do you specialize in?

Any musical theater that I can get, I will take.

Q: Do you create as well, or mostly perform?

I primarily perform, but when I'm on contract, I’m always meeting new friends and new people. And what's always so fascinating to me is learning from each other, since we all come from different places. Everyone's experience is always fun to learn from and keep up with.

Q: How do you build your characters?

I really rely on the script, and what material is given to me, but recently I've been getting into making playlists for a specific character.. And then think like… What music would they listen to? 

I try as much as possible to keep the character only when I'm at work. I don't want it to leak too much into my everyday life, so I try to just trust myself that I'll do the work that day, and all will be good.

Q: What’s been your most meaningful or memorable moment so far?

I would say graduating college was something that I've been the most proud of. That's just something that I think I kind of took for granted, but I'm so grateful to have had that time. Um, for the training, but also to meet some of my best friends that I know I'll have for life.

Also, last year, I did a production of Into the Woods at a theater in Virginia called Virginia Theater Festival, and that was just the most incredible experience from the creative team to the community there in Virginia, to the cast and crew, like everyone involved, it really could not have been a better experience.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a performer?

Since we're going contract to contract, it's hard to predict the environment that you're going to be in. That environment is always changing, at least if you are doing the regional theater jobs. So, for me, I feel like I've accumulated my little tricks of what works for my body and my voice. That kind of gives me that stability from job to job, my ororo vest included. I love it. It's been the greatest addition. 

But it's kind of hard to predict the environment that you'll be in and you need to make sure that you are taking care of your body in a way that allows you to still effectively do your job.

Q: Do you often perform or rehearse in cold environments?

Yeah, where we are now… We were rehearsing, and it was still very much like a cold winter. Luckily, we were inside, but even then, it’s hard to predict. Is it going to be warm inside that day? Or, is it going to be cold? As a performer, of course, you want to make sure. 

My body is my tool for what I do. So anything I can do to protect it and make sure I’m taking care of it in order to do my job is really the priority for me.

Q: How does the cold impact your body and performance?

I really feel it in my muscles. So when it's cold, I'll have to do a longer warm up just to make sure that I don't sprain anything or injure anything. I give myself the proper warm up.

Q: How did you stay warm before heated gear?

Layers. I would layer. I had no idea that hated apparel existed, and now that I do, I am so glad! It really, really, has made such a difference! I love it. I really think it's great.

Q: How did you first hear about ororo?

I actually had a friend on a previous contract that had one. And I was like, "Is that a heated vest?" So then I got one, and that was back in 2023. So it's been about three years, and ever since, I've taken it on every contract that I've had all these years.

Q: What was your first impression?

Game changing. Like, as if all of my worries and my problems have been solved.

Q: When do you typically use it?

When I’m performing I'm sweating too much, so I don't need it then. But primarily, before, and and afterwards. If I am going outside in between shows, I'll throw it on just to keep my body warm. If it's a two show day, I'll warm myself back up. So it's primarily before and then sometimes after as well.

Q: How does it fit into your routine?

Using it beforehand, I've just felt a big difference when I'm doing a physical warm up. It really helps. I'll put it on before I do the warm up so that it kind of gives my body a warm up before the warm up. And then I feel better going into the actual physical getting ready.

Q: Do you have a favorite feature?

It’s been really helpful. I was also wearing my heated vest during rehearsals, and something that’s been especially helpful is the temperature control. I like to start it on the high setting just to feel it, and then being able to turn it down while still having it on has been really great.

Q: How has it changed your experience?

It's honestly given me some routine. I know, “Okay, I'm gonna put on my vest, and then I'm gonna do my warm up.” And it's like, I'm able to have a list, which is good. I love lists. My type A brain likes to have my routine, which is then reassuring to be able to apply it wherever I go, regardless of physical location.

Q: Have you noticed physical benefits?

It hasn't made me more flexible, but I feel more ready, which has been really nice. And I think it's kind of like a domino effect of wearing it has allowed my muscles to be more ready for what I do. So then, I am naturally going to feel better and stronger going into a performance.

Q: Does it help your confidence or focus?

Yeah. It's reassuring to know that I have that tool with me to help me get ready, 'cause sometimes when you're working long weeks, your body does take a toll. So knowing that I have my vest available as a resource for that has been really great.

Q: Do you use it outside of performing?

I do. One thing that I love to do when I'm on contracts is find local hiking trails. So if I am, if it is cold outside, I love being able to use it for that too, in order to stay warm.

Q: What does staying warm mean to you?

For me, it's being ready. I think it's mentally getting myself to a place of being ready for my work. But also staying warm is finding the things that are fulfilling for me and allow me to continue to do what I do, whether that's as a performer or as a person, just hanging out with my friends and family and feeling warm on the inside.

Q: How do you take care of your body as a performer?

I have like a bin of all of these things. So it's different things, like rubs for my body, things for my voice. And it's really just making sure that I'm staying healthy and continuing to monitor my body. It is my tool for what I do, so I just have to make sure that I'm taking care of it because if I don't, then I'm not able to do my job. I feel very lucky that I love what I do, and I want to do that as long as I can.

Q: Do you have any pre-performance rituals?

Yeah, so I start with my vest, of course. Then I do my makeup and my body routine, but something I also love to do, something that I haven't mentioned, is that at the theater I have this little box. They're called Angel cards, and each one has one word on it. 

Before every show, I’ll pull a card. The other day, it was “groundedness” or something like that. So I try to channel that word into my performance that day, or just use it as a reminder that every show is different, to keep things a little fresh.

Q: Favorite drink? (Coffee, tea, or chocolate?)

I think I have to go with coffee just because I have it the most, but I love tea, like, for a show. If it's Christmas time, I want hot chocolate. It's all dependent on what else is going on, but I'll go with coffee.

Q: Where can people follow your work?

I’m primarily on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merclaireredhair. I also have a website: https://www.meredithfox.com/. And I keep both of those as updated as possible.

Q: Any final thoughts?

Stay warm and stay kind. 

I love my ororo. It's been wonderful, and I hope other people have a wonderful experience as well.

Staying Grounded On and Off the Stage

Meredith’s story is a reminder that behind every performance is preparation, discipline, and care. From adapting to new environments to building routines she can carry from place to place, she’s found ways to stay ready, both physically and mentally.

For her, staying warm is more than comfort; it’s part of that preparation. A small but meaningful way to take care of her body, stay consistent, and show up fully for every performance.

And as she puts it best: “Stay warm and stay kind.”