Hometown: Huntsville, TN
Education: Maryville College; B.A. in Theatre
Select Credits: As You Like It (Tennessee Stage Company), Online Fighting (The Brick), DreamVault Cycle (La Mama E.T.C.), The Killing of Sister George (Rising Action Theatre)
Why theater?: There's nothing more exciting than live theatre. I love the danger and unpredictability of it. The audience give you a certain energy, and then it's your job to take that energy and feed off of it. I really love film, but you don't have that there and it's definitely something I miss.
Who do you play in Scratching?: Brianna
Tell us about Scratching: It's a drug fueled love triangle in the dirty, gritty South. It's ultimately a play about dreams, missed opportunities, and moving on.
What is it like being a part of Scratching?: It's a wild ride -- kinda like the play. It's been really cool to create this world with such talented people -- all who bring their own unique voice to the story. There was a lot of trust between us early on, so that really makes for an awesome collaborative experience.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: What touches me most is when theatre reaches down into the ugliest and darkest parts of the human experience, and pulls it up and displays it for all to see. That's what I crave from art -- being able to see that there are beautiful moments and there are ugly moments, but we're all in it together. As far as inspiration goes, I feel like that changes weekly. The one constant inspiration, though, is music. It's a universal language that can stir up all your emotions. I love songwriters - like John Prine, Jason Isbell, Lucinda Williams, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, Townes Van Zandt - who can combine storytelling with music. I'm really inspired, also, by actors who are always striving to honor the art form. Obviously the great actors that we all know, but also actors around me in this city who aren't famous but value art over anything else. They constantly inspire me. I'm a Mountain girl, so after spending some time in the Mountains I always leave feeling inspired and rejuvenated. I'm very inspired by my Appalachian heritage. It's the root of all creativity that runs through me.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Blanche DuBois. And when I grow up - Mother Courage, Violet Weston from August: Osage County.
What’s your favorite showtune?: "The Music and the Mirror" from A Chorus Line stands out for me. It's a song about deep, yearning passion and it always hit me at my core. "Everything's Coming Up Roses" is a favorite. I was fortunate enough to see Bernadette Peters play Mama Rose when I was in high school, and it quite literally changed my life. The emotion she put into that song STILL brings tears to my eyes. I'll never be able to hear it the same way again.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Julie Taymor, Pam MacKinnon. Also, in film I would LOVE to work with Ray McKinnon. He tells Southern stories that I want to be a part of.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Hmmm...that's tough. I would hope I'll be played by an actress we don't yet know, because I'll be old and will have had a long life. But if I had to choose an actress I would be honored to play me, I think Kristin Wiig. The title of my movie?: "A Satisfied Mind".
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Does a concert count? Because if I could only pick one thing, it would be the Monterey Pops Festival in 1967, FOR SURE. Play, I'd love to see Meryl Streep as Mother Courage.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: I recommend a lot of tv shows more than anything. I've been recommending Rectify a lot lately. I also love recommending Avenue Q to out of towners, because I want them to be shocked, slightly uncomfortable, and also laugh their asses off. Laughter makes the world go round.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Ice Cream.....
What’s up next?: A film I star in, "HERE LIES JOE", will be having its NYC Premiere at the Chain NYC Film Festival as well as the Knoxville Film Festival (near my hometown!). I'll also be focusing pretty heavily on the group I run, NYC Lady Parts Film Club. We have screenings and workshops coming down the line very soon!
For more on Andi, visit www.andimorrow.com
