Hometown: Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan, Canada
Education: University of Saskatchewan, Theatre, AMDA, Musical Theatre Conservatory
Select Credits: New York: From Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill (Theatre Ten Ten & Off-Broadway revival), The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks, ReWrite, The Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular (with the Iconis Family) The Three Penny Opera, Mother Courage and The Miser, with The Jean Cocteau Repertory Company. Regional: The Music Man (Riverside Theater) and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Arvada Center).
Why theater?: It’s the only thing I was ever really interested it, and the only thing I ever really considered.
Who do you play in Dragon’s Breath?: Justine Drake
Tell us about Dragon’s Breath: It’s about a woman, who lacks confidence, just trying to do her thing, and about all the bumps along the way, because of other people just searching for their path as well. It’s set against the backdrop of the E-publishing world, and all the interesting characters out there who want their stories heard!
What is it like being a part of Dragon’s Breath?: So far it’s been great! Everyone is very supportive and good at their job(s). Mikaela and Michael did an amazing job assembling this team of people, and I can’t wait until we open and we can all breath and we can maybe spend some time together socially!
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I tend to gravitate to new theatre and new voices, people out their scratching away to get their voices heard no matter what. I like independent theatre. I love new musical theatre. I’m inspired constantly by people who MUST do this, and find ways to put themselves and their work out there, even at the cost of living a less “traditional” lifestyle; people who make sacrifices for their art and the standards they set for themselves to achieve their goals, whether on a grand scale, or with the tiniest of budgets. I am inspired by people who use their imagination.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: I’ve been really lucky. I’ve played almost all of the parts I’ve truly wanted to play, so far, and I got to do them in NY. I’m heading (rapidly) towards my 50’s and I would love to take a crack at Mama Rose, or Dolly Levi, or Mrs. Lovett... all the things I’ve been drawn to and waiting to do are still ahead of me... but I am still the most interested in continuing to develop and work on new material, and original roles with friends and artists I love and that I have been working with, in some instances, for over a decade now. People like Joe Iconis, Michael Ogborn, Mike Pettry, Michael R. Jackson and so many other great and incredible writers who have asked me to sing a new song, or work on a piece with them over the years!
What’s your favorite showtune?: I really like "Windflowers" from The Golden Apple. It’s an elegant, beautiful song just made for acting. I also have always loved "Mr. Snow" and "I Cain’t Say No". The classics.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Alex Timbers and Robert Lepage.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Some spazzy, awkward girl from the prairies that hasn’t been discovered, or maybe even born yet. The movie would be called "The Tarnished Pomegranate".
What show have you recommended to your friends?: I haven’t had a chance yet to really explore what’s going on at the Fringe, but we saw some great teasers at an event last weekend and Fortuna Fantasia looked interesting, and the stage combat in The Call of the Siren really caught my eye! I hope I can go see those two, once we open and rehearsals are no longer the top priority, as I am sure they are for all involved.
What’s the most played song on your iTunes?: I looked it up, apparently it’s “Rose Garden”, the old Lynn Anderson tune!
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Getting a really good pedicure.
What’s up next?: I have my own duo show, with Ted Stafford, called The Ted & Lo Show. We write our own songs, and we do covers, arranging them to fit more of a “Coffee House” style. It’s just 2 voices, guitar and harmonica. It’s a labor of love and I spend a great deal of time with that, we start back at Don’t Tell Mama in October and we play there every month. I’m always auditioning, looking for the next theatrical gig. And I hope that my husband Kevin and I might buy an apartment this fall. Like grown-ups!