Hometown: Stamford, CT
Education: BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, UCB Sketch & Improv
Select Credits: White People Christmas (Kikki, dir. Ernest Thompson/Cherry Lane Theater), Seeing Emma (Riley, film by Dina Graham), National Cuisinart Commercial, "Miss Sugar Tit" (CeeCee, film by Shannon Strong), The Serpent Woman (Farruscad, dir. Orlando Pabotoy), The American Clock (Rose Baum, dir. Kent Gash)
Why theater?: I mean it.
Who do you play in Holy Moly?: Tabatha
What is it like being a part of Holy Moly?: It is electrifying to originate this character, especially with the luxury of having the playwright in the room. I really love being involved in new works and having the opportunity to play.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Anything about mental illness, and a lot of dark DAAAARK comedy. I’m inspired most by those who make me laugh. Aaaand Jessica Lange, Cate Blanchett, Brie Larson, Annie Leibovitz, Lang Leav, and Robin Williams
Any roles you’re dying to play?: I’m just biding my time until I can play Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. I wouldn’t be upset if a remake of “Frances” or “Grey Gardens” pops up in the meantime.
What’s your favorite showtune?: Any Sondheim. But I can do a mean lip sync to “Satisfied” from Hamilton.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: You asked, so: Meryl Streep (who doesn’t?), Patricia Clarkson, Maxine Peake, Toni Collette, Julianne Moore, Kristen Wiig, Emma Thompson, Carrie Coon, Tracy Letts, Mark Rylance, Geneva Carr, Laura Linney, Tony Hale, Catherine O’Hara, Christopher Guest, Sarah Paulson, Tilda Swinton, Stanley Tucci, Tami Sagher
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Rooney Mara, “Carol”
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: This is going to get daaaaark BUT... my incredible clowning teacher, Orlando Pabotoy, told us once about a commedia piece in which Harlequin (the quintessential clown of commedia) committed suicide by tickling himself and laughed to death. Just the beauty of that image alone moves me deeply.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Hand to God. It has closed, and I am in deep denial.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: The Bachelorette and Vegan Divas chocolate donuts. I’m not vegan.
What’s up next?: Bachelor in Paradise. In the early stages of a sketch show for SPANK at UCB, creating a webseries with my roommate, collaborating on photography projects, auditioning (always), and I’d love to write a play.
For more on Jackie, www.jackiemabbott.com and www.jma-photography.com