No tease: See ‘Hairspray’

When Orange County native Teanna Berry was young, she was inspired to be an actress by Camelia Martin, who originated the role of Peaches in the Broadway production of “Hairspray.”

Now Berry is touring the country in that role. She and “Hairspray” debut at the Orange County Performing Arts Center on April 6.

Berry hasn’t performed on the Arts Center stage since she attended the prestigious Orange County High School of the Arts, from where she graduated in 2003. Her heroine, Martin, also had attended the school before going on to the Great White Way.

“She was one of the reasons I went into theater. She inspired me; she was like my idol,” Berry said.

Berry said her experience at the high school was invaluable for her future career.

“There’s a lot of teaching that you don’t get in the real world, as well as lots of connections you make,” she said.

From there, Berry followed her dream all the way to New York City.

“I actually auditioned in New York,” Berry said. “I went to a conservatory in New York for a couple of years. I’ve wanted to audition [for “Hairspray”] for about three years, but I was working on other shows.”

Berry said her favorite role to date was as Velma in “Chicago,” which she performed in high school.

“It was a nice mixture of dance and music in one show,” she said. “But ‘Hairspray’ is really fun, too. I feel kind of like a ’60s showgirl. At that time, it wasn’t always so glamorous as an African American. I perform with two girls onstage, and we spend time together when we tour. We get to wear pretty red dresses, too.”

Berry described “Hairspray,” the tale of a plump girl trying to make it the 1960s world of Twiggy (and its concurrent message of integration and acceptance), as a high-energy laugh-fest.

“I have never laughed so much in a show,” she said. “And I’ve never heard other people laugh so much in a show.”

Berry said she looks forward to returning to Costa Mesa and gracing a stage she hasn’t been on since her high school senior showcase.

“It’s really fun to come back and do a show there,” she said. “It’s going to be really cool. I’m going to recognize the dressing rooms, and the mall across the street. A lot of people from my church are coming, and my friends and family are, too.”

Berry’s future plans are to continue her conquest of New York.

“I will be on Broadway one day, and I would like to sing backup for an R&B; singer. That would be my ultimate goal,” she said. “It’s my dream job because you get paid, you get to travel, you get to perform, but you also get your life. You get your privacy.”

If You Go

What: “Hairspray”

When: April 6 to 11

Where: Orange County Performing Arts Center

Cost: $20 and more

Information: ocpac.org