As I’m doing more and more with Zoe Writes Theatre, my mother suggested I write a post about myself. I know not all of my readers know anything about me, and she thought it might be a good idea for that to change. I’ve been in theatre for close to thirty years now, so I definitely have a lot to say about myself and my history in theatre.
I figured the best way to do this was an interview…so I got my mom to write some interview questions for me. I want people to see what my background looks like, and some insight to this blog and my life in theatre. This is some truly special stuff, and I think my mom did a wonderful job trying to get answers to some of the questions.
I’m so honored to answer these questions, and hopefully give all of you guys some insight to what I’ve done with my life, and what I’m currently doing in the world of theatre. What theatre means to me, and what it’s gotten me through. I would be nothing without theatre, both literally and metaphorically. So here’s an interview of me.
When did you first discover your love for theatre?
I was signed up for my first acting class when I was six years old. I don’t remember it per se, but I do have some pictures floating around from then. I was in a small domed space with stairs that led up to a upper level. Me and another six year old girl stood on that upper level, while a six year old boy stood below…the Romeo to our Juliets. I look at those pictures, and I can see how serious I was at six, reciting Shakespeare. It wasn’t just a thing for me like it was for the other two kids…it was clearly something I loved. I do remember that feeling. I guess I should thank the Bard.
My mother has asked me to mention that I did the absolute best cold read of Shakespeare she’s ever heard…at the age of six. She brags about this to everyone, but she’s my mother. That being said, I still remember Hamlet’s most famous speech from learning it around then.
You pursued this love for most of your life, what, though, was the most gratifying for you? What was the most difficult?
I always thought I was going to act for the rest of my life. I think something that I always loved and was gratifying was getting to constantly be someone different. Embodying someone new was a challenge, and getting that character down was something so satisfying. I had very tumultuous teen years, which meant that getting to be someone else was even more needed. I relished every moment I didn’t have to be me.
I think the most difficult thing was actually realizing that I wasn’t going to be an actor. I didn’t get into the college I was so set on, and changed my major at another college during orientation. I was convinced I wasn’t good enough. Acting was my life, and giving it up hurt a lot. But I was in a bad head space. It was difficult as anything, but I think things worked out in the end.
Tell us about your total involvement in theatre. What have you done, and what would you still love to be able to do?
Oh boy.
I have been everywhere in theatre. I started on stage, which was where I spent most of my life. I acted from the age of six and a couple years into college.
I’ve spent a collective decade working front of house. I wrote a post about it! Ushering was a challenge, but really a pretty easy job. I met so many cool people through FoH. I also worked in box office a bit.
My junior year of high school, I wrote a one woman show, Else Speaks. Seventeen years later, I’m still proud of that thing. How many seventeen year old kids are writing one person shows? I also got to perform parts of it for my Summerstage group. One of my biggest teachers, mentors, and supporters worked with me on it. That piece got me through a lot. I’ve attempted to write other plays throughout the years, but have never had the success I had with Else Speaks.
Crazily enough, I’ve directed! My sophomore year of college, I directed and acted in a production of The Laramie Project. Directing definitely wasn’t for me, but it was an interesting experiment. I honestly don’t know how people direct and act in the same project. It was really difficult, but I’m glad I gave it a shot.
The last giant thing I’ve done is stage managing. This was one helluva thing, because it was when I learned that I enjoy stage managing (and am probably better at stage managing) more than acting. A family friend offered me a stage managing job in NYC, and it was absolutely incredible. It was a very strange thing to realize, because I had always thought of myself as an actor, even when I wasn’t actively acting, but stage managing felt more right than acting ever did. The same friend offered me another stage managing gig later on. I was pretty ecstatic that I had done well enough the first time that she asked me back!
I also stage managed for a youth ensemble. I had been super involved in the ensemble when I was in high school, and working with the kids was like giving back. That ensemble saved my life. And I like to think I did some good for those kids. It was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.
And finally, of course, I started Zoe Writes Theatre. I’m at a point in my life where I don’t have time to do as much theatre stuff as I used to be able to do, so this is how I keep up with theatre. I love what I’m doing with this blog. Between regular posts and all the cool interviews I’ve done, I’m just so glad I decided to do this.
Who were your biggest influences?
This is hard. I think, talking as an actor and a writer, some playwrights for sure. Joan MacLeod, who wrote my favorite one woman show Shape of a Girl will always be my biggest influence in that.
When it comes to who influenced me as a person in theatre, I have to say all the acting teachers I had over the years, especially two, Michael Cruz and Ceal Phelan. They showed me how much I can do, and how inspired I could be.
How have you evolved through your journey in theatre?
I’ve learned so much about myself in theatre. I went from being a kid who wanted to act, to a teen who wanted to act, to a young adult who wanted to act…and then learned that stage managing was more my place. I’ve evolved from someone who wasn’t sure about their place in theatre to knowing what’s right and what’s wrong for me. In my evolution, I’ve gained a confidence in everything I do…including this blog!
What is the single most important thing you have learned through your involvement in theatre, with the people who you surrounded yourself with, and the roles that they played in your development?
You have to trust everyone involved. You have to trust the director. The stage manager. Every single person on the crew. The actors. If you don’t trust, everything is going to fall apart.
What words would you like to share with someone new to theatre?
Try everything! Try acting, try costumes and props, try crew, try stage managing, try directing! I feel like if I had learned earlier on that I love stage managing, my direction would definitely have been different. Just try it all!
Why did you start writing ‘Zoe Writes Theatre’? What impact has it had on you?
I started writing Zoe Writes Theatre because I just didn’t have the time to be active in a show. I work full time now, which means I can’t be as involved. So this blog was my way to keep a thread connected with theatre. I love to write and I love theatre, so I combined the two because I love theatre.
Since I’ve started this dinky little blog, things have changed! I’m getting offers for interviews, I’m getting to see so many shows that I wouldn’t have without this blog. It’s a huge impact that has changed my life and how I see things. People like what I do here, and it’s so exciting that I’m getting these opportunities. The biggest impact it’s had on me is what it’s done to my confidence. I feel like I stand taller these days, knowing what I do here.
What words do you think are most important for your readers to hear?
Theatre is love and love is theatre. If you want to do it, just do it. I truly believe that there’s a space for everyone in theatre…you just have to find it. Don’t be afraid, because something is going to be right for you.
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As you can see, Zoe Writes Theatre has a very long history behind it. This blog has changed my life, and I think you can all really understand that now! Thank you all for what you’ve done for me. I hope I continue to grow, and that this blog continues to grow.
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