Name: Mary E. Hodges
Hometown: Middlesex County, VA
Education: BFA in Acting (Virginia Commonwealth Univ.), MFA in Acting (Univ. of Connecticut)
Select Credits: Law & Order: SVU #17-#18; Othello (Harlem Shakespeare Festival, All-Female Cast); The Best of Enemies (Florida Rep)
Why theater?: Because of process (rehearsal) is unique whether it’s 3 weeks or 4, you are stuck in a room with folks to achieve one goal and that is to tell a story in an engaging and theatrical way. And it is instant and alive each time you tell the story.
Who do you play in Great Again?: Ada in The Test by Crystal Skillman
Tell us about The Test: Now an English school teacher (failed as a writer), who is trying to reach her students and a select few in her class, ironically through writing. She realizes she’s been using her students and the classroom to hide from her mother’s struggles with Alzheimer and her true calling to be a writer
What is it like being a part of The Test?: It’s exhilarating and a lot of responsibility at the same time
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Stories that challenge the actor and the audience equally. My 7 year old son
Any roles you’re dying to play?: There are many, some not even written yet
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Too many to name but Lynn Nottage
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: “Meet Mary: An American Story”
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Our show Great Again duh
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Eating a bag of twizzlers
What’s up next?: I’m a part of the short play director’s lab for New Perspectives- 6 original short plays will have a rep run in August…I will be directing one of the shorts