I think I was inadvertently raised as an “actor” by my mom because as a kid I was home schooled with my 7 other siblings and we were only allowed to watch TV for an hour a day and then we had to find ways to entertain ourselves. So almost everyday for at least six hours we played make believe and came up with all these different circumstances like having superpowers or being homeless and that really expanded my imagination so much that when I did start going to public schools and performing in their plays, acting came really naturally to me. I love now that I’ve delved further into acting, I can look back on my childhood make believe games and say ‘wow, I had such strong character choices’ and I wasn’t afraid to take those and just go with them.
Did you study acting
I decided in high school that I wanted to be an actor. I really enjoy acting because I am so obsessed with learning about people and why they act the way they do. So I went to Lansing Community College and got my Associates in Theatre and I am currently at Oakland University in MI for a BFA in Acting. I coach with Mila Govich who was in Fault in Our Stars as well as many wonderful acting professors who juggle teaching and performing plays in the Michigan area.
What acting technique do you use
I think I use a mix of techniques. For voice and getting into my body I really enjoy Linklater because it puts me in a neutral state which makes it easy to put my soul into the character. I also love using Stanislavskis method because he was a genius at teaching actors to behave truthfully and focus on their objectives rather than “acting”.
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
I think that many actors are told that acting is difficult. In my opinion, acting isn’t that hard we do it everyday. Many people think that acting is hard because you are transforming into this character. I believe that the character is me and it is the circumstances around me that have changed which will cause me to behave in a way that I may not normally behave
Do you take courses to improve your craft
I am still at Oakland University so yes, I take voice, movement, singing, dancing, audition workshops, text analysis and a lot of other things. I audition a lot and am lucky to have pretty awesome teachers that I can go to for private coaching.
What acting books do you read
I am really obsessed with The Reel Life Actor by Jeff Seymour which is like an evolution of Stanislavski’s work. I enjoy how this book makes a point to tell actors that we’re probably overthinking and that we should just learn to trust ourselves because all we’re doing is being human. The Actor Prepares by Constintin Stanislavski is great because it’s fictional so not only does it give awesome advise but it’s pretty entertaining as well. I also like Michael Shurtleff’s Audition because it gives entertaining examples on what not to do in an audition..
How do you keep fit as an actor
I run at least a mile almost every day and I do strength training and watch what I eat. I also meditate 1-5 times a day and I believe meditating has helped me so much as an actor because I just get in touch with myself and my place in the universe and am able to let everything go. Meditating also helps me breath in the world and be in the moment so I can listen and be open to everyone in and out of rehearsal. So I would recommend every actor to meditate at least once a day.
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
I read the script a lot and then find someone to discuss how the script makes me feel and why this story is so important to me. I go into rehearsals with a deep understanding of myself/character but I don’t rehearse too much because I want to be open to all the possibilities.
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
I remember to breathe and listen to my partners. I think that it is important to do these two things. ‘Acting is all in the breathing’ my teacher, John Lepard would say over and over and it’s true. Breathing invites me to be in the moment so I don’t think about the next line instead I am open and available to listen to my partner and react in a natural way.
How do you stay fresh on set
I remember to have fun. No matter how serious the story is I know that I love acting because it is fun. So reminding myself to have fun allows me to relax and be ready to jump into the next take.
Describe a memorable character you played
I think Circé is by far my favorite character because she is a trickster but also caring and very sensual. It was the most love I have ever had for a character and it was the first time I ever felt one with a character. I played her in the Odyssey in 2013.
Explain one creative choice you took on set
I was in a production of The Odessey, an adaptation by Mary Zimmerman, and I played Circé My director always reminded me that I was different than Odysseus’ other lover Calypso because I helped him. So although I am a enchantress who created Scylla and turns men into pigs, I still help Odysseus. I decided that I/Circé was incredibly prideful and would help Odysseus but I couldn’t let him think I was helping him and so I toyed with him. My director after seeing the choice I made came up to me after one performance and told me that my portrayal of Circé was her favorite each and every night.
What do you want most from a director
I love when a director can balance staying true to the story and allowing the actor to make the character their own. Because sometimes as an actor I make wrong choices and I want the director to tell me it’s not believable. But I also want the director to trust me enough that they let me improvise instead of having a set way of saying or doing something.
What actors do you long to work with
Jennifer Lawrence
Why
Because she trusts her instincts and I find that to be very inspiring. She thinks outside the box, seems kind and down to earth and I think that actors with that level of talent and that much humility are the best kind of actor to work with.
What advice would you give to actors
Trust yourself and be kind. If you don’t then you will not make it in this industry. Confidence is key and if you are not kind to people then you are labeled as insecure with who you are.
Briefly write about your career
I am a student at Oakland University my past productions include A Doll’s House (Kristine Linde), Under Milkwood (Mrs Dai Bread Two), Titus Andronicus (Quintus), and The Odyssey (Circé). This summer I will be in Waterworks Shakepeare’s production of Alls’ Well that Ends Well in Royal Oak Michigan, and then Behind the Veil, a new play by Michelle Alford being produced in the Michigan Area. I am signed with Productions Plus Talent Agency.
