Hometown: Abilene, TX
Education: 2 year full time actor training program William Esper Studio, BFA in Musical Theatre from Sam Houston State University.
Select Credits: Film: "Fourth of July Movie", "I See Waldo" (short). Theatre: Act out Shakespeare: As You Like It, Classical Theatre Company: The Tempest, Main Street Theater: The Coast of Utopia, MTOH: Jesus Christ Superstar with tony award winner Ben Vereen. London,UK Hyde Park: A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Why theater?: I think it keeps your process strong, it's live, there are so many variables to contend with, there are no chances for another take or for problems to be fixed in the edit. It is a very athletic process for actors in honing their skills.
Who do you play in Becky Shaw?: Suzanna Slater.
Tell us about Becky Shaw: It's a dark comedy about love, money and how and when we choose to lie to ourselves in order to preserve our comfort and stability. It's a beautiful piece that keeps you laughing right till it hits you straight through the heart.
What is it like being a part of Becky Shaw?: Absolutely Fantastic. The Director, the Creative team, the other actors, everyone is inspiring me to go above and beyond what I thought I was capable of. The show has been open for an entire weekend now but the work is still going.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Anything that makes me empathize with the characters and their story or even better, helps me to see the world or the people and situations in it a little bit differently than I did before. As an artist, Great stories inspire me. Also, advances in science and technology. I'm very interested in how they will change and shape the human condition.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Of course. I want to be recurring role on anything that Shona Rhimes is writing or producing. I am always trolling for Shakespeare, Stoppard and Chekov roles and any role by Sarah Ruhl is a dream role.
What’s your favorite showtune?: Oh Wow. I'm not a favorites kind of gal but I love "Begin the Beguine" and "In the Still of the Night" by Cole Porter. Also, "Finishing the Hat" from Sunday in the Park with George sometimes feels like my life story.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Wes Anderson, David Fincher, Tim Burton, Shonda Rhimes, Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: It would be fun to be old and play my Grandmother, she's a truly lovely and important person in my life. I think I'd like a classic biopic title using my name, Jac.
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Definitely one of the performance where the great Eleonora Duse performed in America. Even though she acted entirely in Italian, they say that audience members wept and fainted from the magnitude of her performance.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Becky Shaw OF COURSE.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Bookstores and used book purchases. I'm a book reading fiend.
What’s up next?: A week of rest, then I'm shooting a web series and working on a short film. I'm also collaborating on a few scripts with some friends and colleagues and freelancing on film crews as often as my schedule permits.
