King Lear
nytheatre.com q&a preview by Kelly Zekas
September 25, 2012
What is your job on this show?
Actor - Cordelia.
What type of theater do you like most to work on?
Shakespeare makes up the majority of my resume. I attend a weekly Shakespeare workshop and could happily spend my life doing classical theater. No matter what the show is, I would always choose to work with artists who like to play.
What was the last show you saw that really excited you, and why?
Cock at The Duke. It was honest and sexy and brutal and one of the best pieces of theater I have ever seen. The relationships between the actors were paramount - no real set, no props, nothing to distract from the emotions and interactions onstage.
Why did you want to write/direct/produce/act in/work on this show?
It's King Lear - and produced by a company I have long wanted to work with. I am lucky enough to be part of a fantastic ensemble. Also, Cordelia has always fascinated me - she's a unique heroine and much stronger than may first appear. There's something special about a character who loves so absolutely and refuses to debase that love.
Which “S” word best describes your show: SMOOTH, SEXY, SMART, SURPRISING?
Smart. The play, of course, is brilliant. But the creativity and dedication in the rehearsal room are astounding and this production will make you think for hours after - no matter how familiar you may or may not be with the text.
If you had ten million dollars that you had to spend on theatrical endeavors, how would you use the money?
I'd put money towards some of the beautiful downtown theaters, pay a bunch of my fellow actors, create teaching artist grants, put on great shows with people I love to work with. I'd give wildly to innovative, small theater companies and to the The Stella Adler Studio, where I trained. Now, who wants to write the check?
