Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland
Education: The Juilliard School
Select Credits: The Illusion (Elicia /Lyse/Clarina, The Signature Theatre); The Seagull (Nina, Brian Mertes' Lake Lucille Chekhov); Macbeth (Lady M, The Juilliard School)
Why Theater: Why Theatre ... wow .... the dramatic answer is ... because i must - my heart and my body won't really allow me to do anything else. I also owe alot of it to Judy Garland actually. Cheesy , but true. I am (to quote Tribes actually) "A slut for words" - good writing makes me want to act and always has.
Tells us about Tribes: Tribes is a story about a highly over-functional and completely dysfunctional family who have alot of love for each other and also for themselves and what they feel they have to do in this world ... and they meet a young woman who stirs things up for them- alot (I am abbreviating intentionally). There are 3 kids and two parents.
What is it like to be a part of Tribes?: It is really really a gift - EVERYONE involved has become a part of this crazy , wild extended version of the family in the play - we hang out WAY too much on our free time and i wouldn't have it any other way. I am very lucky and i feel that every night doing this play with these incredible people.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Truthful theatre - I don't really have a genre / style / "type" of theatre that speaks to me- I really like to see people (and by people I don't just mean the actors - I mean designers, directors, stage management, producers)making the effort on to share the truth with us - what's really going on in this piece of writing... and whats happening in the moment. When its personal. The people and the work that inspires me most is just what I described and there are too many to mention - I have been very lucky to have found, worked with many people who tell ALOT of truth.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: I really want to play Masha in The Three Sisters at some point .. maybe soon ... maybe not soon. I also am kind of desperate to play Diane in the stage version of "Trainspotting" (which i hope they make into a play... hint hint anyone?)
There are many roles in Shakespeare i want to play too - I also love new plays ... but I don't know what the roles are yet .. cause I love them when they're really new.
What’s your favorite showtune?: I don't know if it counts as a "showtune" but I LOVE the duet from Once On This Island "Forever Yours." It's kind of amazing.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Wim Wenders (I just saw "Pina" - oh my !), The Cohen Brothers .. Lots of film people.
Who would play you in a movie and what would it be called?: God ....emmmmm who looks like me ? I have no idea ... it would be called "3268" .....its pretty deep. I'll explain it to you one day. I would have someone who had a really good scottish accent play me ... maybe Kelly MacDonald ?
What shows have you recommended to your friends?: The Big Meal By Dan Le Franc at Playwrights, 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog at Lincoln Center and I haven't seen it yet but Hurt Village By Katori Hall at The Signature ( But i just KNOW its amazing). I've not seen Death of a Salesman, but I have a couple of friends in it and I hear it's out of this world! so .. yeah .. lots to see.
What’s up next?: Next is ... Tribes ... hopefully for a wee while longer - and my parents come to visit !