Hometown: Floral Park, NY
Education: BA Dramatic Art, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Select Credits: Anya in The Cherry Orchard, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Jenny in The Shape of Things, Mandy in Periwinkle Productions' tour of Halfway There, Swing in TEXAS! The Musical Drama. Founding member of Endangered Artists Sanctuary and Rhapsody Collective.
Why theater?: I've always loved that collective energy, the combined efforts of everyone involved, is needed to make a cohesive piece. When it works, it's electric. When it doesn't, it can be painful. There's something exciting about the risk involved.
Who do you play in A Life TBD?: Maggie
Tell us about A Life TBD: A Life TBD is a play about two former lovers at a crossroads. Through three acts, written in three different styles with three different directors, we meet and get to know Mark and Maggie. He's stuck in a bank robbery; she's lost in the middle of nowhere. It's about how our lives are shaped by our experiences, in both predictable and unpredictable ways.
What is it like being a part of A Life TBD?: It's been intense. Maggie is an emotionally demanding role, so being able to connect with her, develop intimacy with the actor playing Mark, and juggle the expectations of three different directors has taken a lot of focus and dedication.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: My first monologue ever was from Curse of the Starving Class by Sam Shepard. He's captivated me from an early age. He has an amazing use of imagery, which if not controlled can be boring, but if molded well can be completely mind-bending. I think there's a lot of truth (and maybe truth we don't want to hear) in his work. As far as other actors go, seeing Nina Arianda in Venus in Fur was one of the most jaw dropping, visceral experiences I've had in an audience. Her honesty in the moment and commitment to character is something I aspire to. Related to that, David Ives' work has just the most interesting rhythms in the dialogue; it really requires presence and I find it fascinating. I've caught Marin Ireland in several productions, most notably in Sara Kane's BLASTED at Soho Rep. Both of those women just grab these unique roles by the horns and own them.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Well, Vanda in Venus in Fur, although I don't think I have the chops for that yet. I'd like to play Jackie in Mauritius. Classically, I'd love to play Rosalind in As You Like It.
What’s your favorite showtune?: "Corner of the Sky" from Pippin. Cheesy, yes; but it has the potential to be absolutely showstopping.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I'd love to get to work on a Bekah Brunstetter play; we were at UNC at the same time but didn't know each other. I think she writes interesting, multi-dimensional roles for women.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Brie Larson would play me and it would have to be called "The Awkward Yogi".
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Shakespeare in the Park's production of Cymbeline. Way to take a weird, often disjointed Shakespeare and make it absolutely beautiful to experience. Kate Burton and Lily Rabe are just unstoppable.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: french fries. whiskey. ice cream.
What’s up next?: I'm heading out to Los Angeles for a few days to shoot a recurring role in the new webseries "L.A. Picker". Episodes will premiere this December!
For more on Julia, visit www.juliayarwood.com