Date & place of birth
Not in the '80s and not in CA
Lives now in
A place that I'd like to move away from. When am I gonna get outta here?!!
What made you want to become an actor?
Honestly...soap operas. No joke. When I was in the 6th grade that dormant-gene in me was awakened. I wanted t play a doctor on, "Days of Our Lives," then I switched to, "All My Children," and wanted to be Erica Kane's long-lost daughter. Seriously. As I matured (ha!), I found that the theatre was where I wanted to be. Now, it's really about expression and channeling my energy and creativity. It's about sharing and telling stories. Provoking thought and emotion. Having others understand that they are not alone. It's a way of expressing through another's point of view. Critics and other people's opinions aside, it's a way of exposing yourself without being judged. I'm telling you, acting is my skin and the theatre is my heart. I don't think I would have got into other things as well, such as poetry and painting, had it not been for acting. I also really learned who I was while taking classes and playing in shows. Of course, I'm still learning and growing. You gotta share your gifts, if not, they'll destroy you. I love to perform. I love to act. That's all.
What might you have done professionally if you hadn't become an actor?
I don't know. A doctor? When I think now, maybe a poet? Painter? A ballerina! Ha! Only in my dreams!
Career highlights to date
Rosalind (AS YOU LIKE IT); Henriette (THE LEARNED LADIES); Nena (THE CONDUCT OF LIFE); Cordelia / The Fool (KING LEAR); Caroline (CHAINED, an original one-act by a grad student)
Favourite playwrights
Shakespeare, Chekhov, Lorca, Mary Zimmerman, Nilo Cruz, Sarah Kane, Maria Irene Fornes, Tony Kushner, Douglas Carter Beane, Tom Stoppard
Favourite directors
Karen Hensel, Svetlana Efremova, Larry Biederman
Favourite co-stars
Frank Astran, Leona Britton, Kristin Gedney, Logan Sledge, Aimee Guichard, Kevin Beatty, Hattie Davis
What was the first thing you saw on stage that had a big impact on you? And the last?
The first that I can think of was, "The Nutcracker." I remember sitting in my seat, excited and anxious. I remember when the canon exploded. I got chills up my spine. I remember thinking, "I want to do that but I'm too scared and shy..." The last thing I saw that hit me was, "Bridge & Tunnel," Sarah Jones' one-woman show. I could have watched her embody all those characters she played all day. Oh! I have to add the Kirov ballet's ROMEO AND JULIET. Do you know how good it is to see a play through dance/movement? Things become so much clearer. Movement and music...you can usually find the answers in there if you're stuck with a role, I believe.
If you could swap places with one person (living or dead) for a day, who would it be?
Right now, at this very moment...Elena Bazhenova. She is a principal character artist in the Kirov Ballet. I want to be her on a performance day of ROMEO AND JULIET just so I could do the scene she does after Tybalt dies. My favorite part in the whole ballet.
Favourite holiday destinations
Sadly, contrary to what people may think...I haven't travelled much. So, I'm not sure about my favourite holiday destination. New York? The Philippines because of my family? I'd love to be able to say: London, France, Italy...
Favourite books
When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe; The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho; Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke; Letters to a Young Artist by Anna Deavere Smith; Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland; The Empty Space by Peter Brook
Favourite after-show haunts
I'm pretty boring, actually. I just go home. But if I get to hang out with a friend or two afterwards...Starbucks. I know, so uninventive. I'm a simple girl. Ha!
Do you prefer acting on stage or screen?
Well, I don't have experience on screen, yet. BUT, I did have an acting-for-the-camera class which I didn't really like. I don't know if my face is for the screen. The stage is where my heart is. But, I'd love to work in all mediums.
What would you advise the government to secure the future of American theatre?
I'm not an expert but I'm also not blind to say that the theatre needs money. I would rather put money into a show that ends up bombing than put money into making bombs that kill people in ailing countries. I'll put my money into seeing a bad show...any day.
Why did you want to accept the role of Germaine in PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE?
Well, so that I could keep on working and not be absent from the stage. It's a good role in a good play by Steve Martin. This will be my first time at playing a "woman." I'm usually playing the roles like Suzanne (the ingenue role in the play). It's nice to get this kind of meat. Don't get me wrong, though...I'm not as confident as I sound! I'm scared but I'm still gonna do it!
How did you research the role? Did you draw on any aspects of your own character or experiences?
I found out that Germaine was actually a real woman in Picasso's life. A femme fatale that broke the heart of one of Picasso's good friends. She also ended up marrying another one of Picasso's good friends. She is in that painting, "At the Lapin Agile." I'm gathering little things here and there about her. But, this role isn't exactly a biography on her because the bits I've discovered so far aren't really depicted in the play. We haven't started officially yet. We'll be starting next week. I think I'll have to draw on my maturity-level and "worldliness," for this role. She is much more experienced than I am, if you know what I mean...
I'm such a nerd. I do a lot of research that I sometimes get bombarded with how much there is. But, there is a point where you really need to throw the research away and the only time you go back to it is when you are stuck. You still have your imagination and creative-lifeblood. There is a balance that must be met. Do your homework, yes...but also bring yourself to the plate as well. It can't all be cerebal. Then, I'm afraid, it would just be boring and more about, "Ooooooooh, look at how smart I am." "Look at all the research I have done. Aren't you impressed?" It shouldn't be about that. Plus, no one cares how hard you work. They want it to look effortless up there. You've got to have fun. Don't get up there all torturous and jazz... I'm way off the subject now, aren't I? Yeah...
What are the biggest challenges of this production for you?
I think because I can seem to be so poised and polished...I'm going to have to rough her up a bit. Does that make sense? She is very intelligent and knows what she's talking about...but it's like street-sense. She's not a ballerina in the way she holds herself. Maybe she's more like Eliza Doolittle in the beginning of MY FAIR LADY, physically. She's not a "lady." She's a bar-maid! We'll see when I get into rehearsals. We've had a minor setback with actors' schedules and the like. We were supposed to open this month but things changed and now they have been cleared up and we're set for a January opening. Unfortunately, we only have 3 performances of the show. But at least we have them.
What roles would you most like to play still?
I'd like to tackle Rosalind (AS YOU LIKE IT) again and again and again. Nina from THE SEA GULL. Anyone from Chekhov, really. I'd actually want someone to adapt the film, "Amelie," into a play (not a musical) so that I could play Amelie. Desdemona, Cordelia and The Fool (KING LEAR) again, Opehlia. As with Chekhov…anyone in Shakespeare! Musically, Clara in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, Emmie in CAROLINE, OR CHANGE. There's just too many! Ha! I'd love to originate roles in plays and musicals, as well.
What are your future plans?
Well, right now, I'm waiting for PICASSO to start so that I can sink my teeth into it! I cannot wait. I'd like to start ballet lessons with a woman I just met, Galina Barinova, who was a dancer in the Bolshoi Ballet. She retired 10 years ago but she doesn't look like she's retired! I'd also like to take another class with my mentor, Karen Hensel. I'm looking at European classical acting programs. I'd also like to meet Judy Blazer and see if I could take voice lessons from her. Another one I'd like to meet is, Peter Brook. I'd like to work at the theatre he built in France, Bouffes du Nord. Also, if ever When the Elephants Dance was turned into a play or screenplay…I'd love to be involved in that project.
Currently listening to: Grey Gardens (2006 Off-Broadway Cast)
