Hometown: Paramus, NJ
Education: Boston University, School of Theatre, BFA Acting
Select Credits: Mary Magdalene in The Mysteries (The Flea), Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (Actors' Shakespeare Project)
Why theater?: I think it comes down to how unapologetically present it is (if it's any good). It is humans coming together to watch other humans make sense of life. It's endless possibilities. How can we evoke a storm at sea with two spoons, a blanket, and a violin? It's very MacGyver and I think that's where the magic lies. We, a group of 50 or 500 people all just agreed that we are watching a storm at sea when it's really just two spoons. Especially in this day and age when we are constantly looking at screens, watching creativity, imagination, and people, IN REAL TIME, feels necessary. Theatre will get in your face (sometimes literally) and make you think, laugh, and cry ... the best theatre I've seen affects me that way.
Who do you play in Puffs, or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic & Magic?: Megan Jones
Tell us about Puffs: It's the 7 famous years at a certain school of magic and magic through the lens of the lesser known Puff house in 90ish minutes. It's laughter from beginning to end that will unexpectedly pull at your heartstrings. It's also more than a parody play, in my opinion. It genuinely tells a story that we don't often hear.
What is it like being a part of Puffs?: It's like I'm putting on a show with my friends ... which is really the best feeling. It's a process that is as enjoyable as the product. We are still laughing and breaking character at jokes we have been saying for 9 months. It's the little show that could ... we started out as this little rag-tag parody play at the PIT and now we are off-Broadway. It's also being the tiniest bit of a celebrity? We already have some serious fans out there!
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Two theatrical experiences come to mind for me -- seeing Eddie Redmayne do Shakespeare's Richard II in London and Charles Francis Chan Jr.'s Exotic Oriental Murder Mystery by Lloyd Suh. One is a classic that is performed again and again but it was the first time I really understood what the big deal with Shakespeare was about. It was drama with the added layer of poetry. It rocked my world and I remember feeling such sadness for this young man who became king far too soon. The second was a new work that addressed the Asian-American experience in the midst of a long history of stereotypes and prejudice. I'm half Irish, half Filipino and it was the first time I saw the main character of a story resemble my brother. I felt myself stop and think "wait - it's 2016 and THIS is the first time I see my brother on stage?" It was very upsetting but also made me feel so grateful for the piece. So all in all, I appreciate theater that can simply tell a story well and/or that starts or adds to a conversation. I appreciate beautiful language. Let me leave the theatre with a phrase I can't get out of my head. I had pulled out magazine pages of Jennifer Lawrence and Angelina Jolie on my wall at one point. I have a classic picture of Marilyn Monroe lifting weights on my wall. I am inspired by beautiful women that have a strength to them. Raw, natural beauty. I am inspired by artists who are kind, generous people. I am also simply inspired by my parents who have supported me to pursue this field. They keep me going. I hope one day I can stand up and really say "Thanks for all of your help -- look what I've done".
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Joan de Pucelle from Henry VI, Part 1 and Helen from Cripple of Inishmaan (I got tastes of them in college, would love to play them in full productions), Eponine, Rosalind from As You Like It, Vanda from Venus In Fur (so does everyone and their mom), Brooke from Other Desert Cities, I would love to try Rose from The Flick. Katniss Everdeen. I also died when I saw Rey from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" on the big screen, I was just like OMG THAT'S WHAT I WANNA DO.
What’s your favorite showtune?: Favorite?! Oof. Of recent taste, "She Used To Be Mine" from Waitress is a song that I think is staggeringly beautiful. I want to say "Rose's Turn" too because it just doesn't get bigger or more Broadway than that.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I would love to just watch Kate Winslet work. Just like bring her coffee and see what she does, how she prepares. Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Amy Schumer, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jennifer Lawrence, Eddie Redmayne, Reese Witherspoon.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: "Diaries of a Mixed Girl" starring an unknown young biracial actor :)
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Red by John Logan with Eddie Redmayne (if you can't tell, I'm a fan), a lot of musicals, I just missed Fun Home which I'm bummed about. So much more.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe at The Duke
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: "The Bachelor/Bachelorette" when I catch it on TV.
What’s up next?: Just focusing on the opening of PUFFS for now!
For more on Julie, visit julieannearls.com
