Hometown: Sarasota, FL
Education: BFA, NYU/Tisch (Cap21), MA in Acting from Central School of Speech and Drama in London
Select Credits: Off-Broadway - Avenue Q (Kate Monster); New York Theater - Ragtime (Evelyn Nesbitt), Children of Eden (Yonah), Oliver! (Nancy); London theatre: The Dreamer Examines His Pillow (Donna); U.S. Equity Regional Theatre: My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle), Les Miserables (Fantine), Sense and Sensibility (Lucy Steele), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Last Five Years (Cathy), Promises, Promises (Fran), Sound of Music (Maria), The Apple Tree (Eve), NHTA Awards Best Actress 2008); National Tour: Barbie Live! In Fairytopia (Laverna)
Why theater?: I believe acting is kind of a super power. To have the ability to affect a complete stranger on an emotional level, to change their ideology, or to inspire them is a really extraordinary gift. On stage, you can feel the energy shift that occurs when that connection happens between actor and audience. It is truly like a drug. Life tends to feel like a constant swirl of chaos, but when the curtain goes up, that chaos dissipates and everyone is able to focus on a shared experience.
Who do you play in Ordinary Days?: Claire
Tell us about Ordinary Days and the Autism Theatre Initiative:Ordinary Days is actually about that individual chaos that can prevent us from truly making deep connections with other human beings. The drama of the piece stems from the characters' anxieties and struggles with their past or their future, preventing them from being in the present. September 11th was a big inspiration for the piece, and I think it is expressed beautifully. I was a sophomore at NYU when the attacks on the World Trade Center occurred. In the days following, one of the most remarkable things I experienced was that walking down the street in New York City, everyone looked each other in the eye. Race, gender, and social status didn't make a difference, everyone looked each other in the eye. It only lasted for about a week, but I'll never forget that. The show is kind of a journey for these characters to find their "looking in the eye" moment. It's the perfect play to raise money for the Autism Theatre Initiative (ATI) as well. Autism spectrum disorders often are accompanied by sensitivities to both light and sound, which make most live theatre overwhelming to this special population. ATI is a program that makes theater accessible to this community and allows them a chance to share in these experiences.
What is it like being a part of Ordinary Days to benefit the Autism Theatre Initiative?: It's very exciting to take part in such a beautiful show, and such an honor to do it for this wonderful cause.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I love a good story that makes me feel or think deeply. I'm a "less is more" kind of gal when it comes to theater, so fancy sets and projections don't impress me. Give me a good actor, a good script with just a chair and I will be captivated for hours. Everything and everyone!
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Every female role Tennessee Williams ever wrote.
What’s your favorite showtune?: I don't really have one, but right now my favorite song is "I'll Be Here" from Ordinary Days. It kills me.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Meryl Streep and Diane Paulus
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Emily Blunt and I guess I'll go with what was the name of my one woman show: "The Princess Fallacy"
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Right now, it would be Barbara Cook in The Music Man... Explained later
What show have you recommended to your friends?:The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Genius!
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Wine
What’s up next?: Marian in The Music Man at The Guthrie
Ordinary Days to benefit the Autism Theatre Initiative will be performed April 14 & 20 at 9:30pm at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Tickets and more information at www.ordinarydaysforati.com