F. A. Q.

F. A. Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)

What was it like working with Kristine Sutherland on set of "The Perfect Wedding"?

Immediately, when I first met Kristine, she welcomed me with open arms. I embraced her as a fellow colleague that I could listen and learn from every day, and, wholeheartedly, as the mother she was for me in character! She is easy to love and genuinely heartwarming! She is, simultaneously, truly a leader and team player! She offered intrinsic, thoughtful and valuable input that added to the warmness and realness in each scene and added to the overall dynamic of the family. I can describe her as a FUN-loving matriarch. Believe it or not, we often talked about food. We couldn’t help it because we had some of the best food on set concocted by the awesome Mom-PA’s. We often talked about the difference between the experience of acting for TV, Film, and Theater and how differently relationships are crafted in each category. And of course, there were a couple “Buffy” discussions. One of the neat perks about being cast to play a daughter of Kristine Sutherland, is that now some of my friends who are huge fans of hers call me “Buffy’s sister”!

What was it like working with James (Jim) Rebhorn for "The Perfect Wedding"?

I have nothing but love for Jim! It’s always an HONOR to work with people whose career and work you admire and he’s always been on my list of such heroes within the industry. Jim is HILARIOUS! There was never a dull moment with him on set. He’s a very intelligent and thoughtful man, so I always looked forward to any input and/or influence he shared to strengthen a scene. He’s got a keen eye for making sure all the pieces within a scene fit and apply to the overall story and arc of the film. Jim often called me and the other actors on set his fellow Thespians. There was something magical about that and it established such camaraderie. So it is now a term that I use much more often prior to this production. Like Kristine, he welcomed me with open arms and was the best Dad in the world in character. You can tell just how much their kids mean to them both in real life! Watching the chemistry between Jim and Kristine was amazing to witness. It was a treasured and unforgettable learning experience to watch these two phenomenal veteran actors (as they were often referred to on set) play opposite each other. Each moment was seemingly effortless and beautiful.

How have you trained as an actress?

My formal training as an actress commences from the stage and film conservatory the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) and the Apprentice Program at The Barrow Group Theatre Company (TBG) in NYC. My craft today, more significantly, stems from the roots of momentous lessons inspired by talented fellow thespians. To name a few, they are: Lee Brock and Seth Barrish (Artistic Directors of TBG), Sheila Head, Kristine Sutherland, James Rebhorn, Joseph Cullinane (Choreographer and Actor), Ray Virta, and Denice Hicks (Artistic Director of The Nashville Shakespeare Festival). Experience working alongside dedicated actors is the best education and I apply distinct methods motivated by and defined for each specific role. My consistent tool is classic textual/script analysis. It’s my priority to research and pinpoint (especially for film when scenes are not shot in chronological order) the arc of the character in relation to the entire story. Then, for each scene I check in and ask myself, “Am I being true to the story?” TBG has helped me the most in this endeavor with an approach that “acting is easy”. Once you do all the work, let it all go and just BE; truly LIVE within the moment. My best acting bits are sparked by genuine surprise (in character) of my actions and the actions of the individuals I’m engaging with. Acting is a team sport and LISTENING is the key skill. Imperfect and unpredictable, in real life as human beings we cannot plan our physical or emotional immediate reactions towards people, opinions, and events. So why try to do that in a scene? However, what we can know is thyself!
Read full interview by Faith Flix Films

What was one of your favorite moments while filming "The Perfect Wedding"?

The preparation for the charades scene was by far one of my all-time favorite moments! As the crew was setting up the scene, in the adjacent dining room the entire core cast had collected and rehearsed this complex comedic concoction of overlapping lines. It was exciting for numerous reasons. It felt like we were rehearsing for a staged play. In the moment, the timing made me think of Noises Off by Neil Simon. Our rehearsal alone should have been filmed. We had to listen very carefully to one another in order not to miss our cue lines. We flopped often and started again and again until we got it right; before shooting. It was also the first time we felt like a family on set, off camera. It was a remarkable moment. We definitely transferred that energy to the screen once the director Scott Gabriel called action. Afterwards, some of us recalled and reflected on the positive and energizing rehearsal and wished that the charades scene was the first scene we shot at the beginning of production. It was truly phenomenal to have us all working as a team and for each one of us to equally and eagerly want this scene to be great, successful, and run smoothly. If any delay in shooting were to occur, it would not be on account of the actors. On top of that, while shooting, there was still an unlimited source and room for surprises, FUN, laughter, and improvisation. Our professionalism allowed us creative freedom. The hilarious ending lesson of the day was: just because we are actors, our talent does not make us good at playing charades! Best day ever!

Can you describe one of your favorite characters that you've portrayed on stage or screen?

I loved portraying the character of Lynn Cordero in the three-month Off-Broadway production of Looking For Billy Haines at Theatre Row. We had so much in common: (1) she enjoyed a lot of the same things I did like tap dancing; (2) the love, happiness, and supportive relationship with her close friends, her self-made family, meant the world to her; (3) and she worked a large assortment of various jobs to live and survive in NYC where there was a time when sleep was not an option. The character trait I loved about her the most is that she always put others before herself. When it came to the pivotal moment in her life when she would have to make THE decision that would change her whole world and major career plans, in the urgent final hour, she chose the love of her life. She was never more honest with herself than in that moment. I personally grew up as a daughter of a Major in the United States Airforce. I have so much love, respect, and admiration for our troops in every branch of our military! When Lynn learns that her best friend from home, a gentleman who for a long time proposed marriage, has been injured in Iraq, the light bulb goes off about what’s really important in this life-LOVE. I fell in love with Lynn for choosing him and, without hesitation, to embark on an unknown journey sharing a new life together. It genuinely warmed my heart every single night on stage!

When did you first discover acting?

I was nine years old. I attended my older sister’s high school production of The King and I and knew there and then I wanted to be an actress. The jovial music, colorful costumes, and acrobatic dancing invigorated and enlivened my soul with the spirit of revelation. My career goals became so clear to me at such a young age and God’s grace of such clarity continues to be a blessing!
Read full interview by Faith Flix Films

Do you have a favorite contemporary play that you've had the opportunity to be cast in?

One of my all-time favorite plays that I’ve seen staged is the Broadway production of “Metamorphosis” by Mary Zimmerman. Considering myself as an honorary student of Euripides and Aristotle, I continue to read, write, study, and/or produce works and literature involving ancient Greek mythology and history. Where the foundation of theater itself was born, those works written 3000 years ago still hold a relevant place in the lessens it teaches us in regards to our lives today. Its influence is limitless. For some reason, one character that always stood out to me was the tragic tale of Myrrha. I was blessed with the opportunity to be cast as Myrrha, and various other roles within the ensemble driven play, in the Boston professional premiere of the play at the Boston Center for the Arts. The company, Boston Actor’s Theater, was a phenomenal company to work for that played a monumental role in my growth as an actor. I learned so much from watching the work of the entire cast and the direction of Danielle Leeber. There was a certain freedom that was exhibited during every rehearsal and performance, and we all shared such love for one another and the overall success of the production. Metamorphosis was a dream play and that was one dream that came true!

Do you prefer acting in film or theater?

Both are very different forms of acting. I enjoy and embrace the muscles they both exercise as a performer. As long as you understand the arc each scene holds in the overall story of the play or screenplay, you’ll be able to connect with all the elements the character demands of you. I LOVE BOTH!

Who are your top five favorite playwrights (in no particular order)?

Euripides, Eugene Ionesco, Samuel Becket, Shakespeare, and Moliere

Off the top of your head, name 10 film Directors that you would be excited to work with!

Luc Besson (Angel-A)
Jodie Foster (The Beaver)
Quentin Tarantino (Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2)
Chris Weitz (About A Boy)
Kenneth Branagh (Thor)
Brian Helgeland (The Order)
Francis Lawrence (Constantine)
Jonathan English (Ironclad)
Alejandro Amenabar (Agora)
Joss Whedon (Buffy, Firefly, The Avengers)

Name five male actors whose work you're fond of (in no particular order).

Joseph Fiennes, James Purefoy, Karl Urban, Gabriel Byrne, and Samuel L. Jackson

Name five female performers whose work you admire (in no particular order).

Angela Basset, Lucy Lawless, Claire Danes, Charlize Theron, and Juliette Binoche