
Is this your first Sheherezade?
Yes!
Sheherezade is an ensemble piece, which means you are playing several roles between the plays. What are the roles you are playing this year?
I shall be playing Woman in 'Dissonance', Stacie, a barista in 'Brew, Drink, Repeat' and Margaret, a job-seeker in 'The Interview'.
Knowing that we all bring ourselves to the roles we play, is there a character or character's experience that you connect with in particular?
I absolutely connect with each of my characters for different reasons. The Barista's lot in 'Brew, Drink, Repeat' reminds me of life before I chose to do what I love. I think it's a hilarious and relate-able tale. In Dissonance, 'Woman' grapples with personal loss and her reality. They blur together while the rest of the world goes about it's business. To be hyper-aware while out of touch is familiar to my experience with grief. 'Margaret' is a middle-aged woman hustling for work - enough said!
An emerging theme between these plays that has really jumped out at us is reality and perception. Tell us about an experience that you thought had been one thing only to discover it was completely different.
A couple of years ago, I left my job and went to London to take a Shakespeare course at RADA. I fully ruptured my Achilles tendon on the second day and had to quit the program. I was angry and broken. I stayed in Wiltshire with my parents for a few months while I healed. It was such an amazing time, which included an incredible journey to Scotland. I was able to return the following year and take the course again. During my recovery, I was also able to focus on exactly what I wanted to do as soon as I could walk again. As soon as I could, I did, and here I am.
What do you hope audience members come away from the show with?
I hope they enjoy these small yet mighty pieces. There is humor, darkness, joy, desperation, love and hope throughout. I hope it will move them in all these ways.
What are you most excited about to share with the audience?
New work! It's always exciting to share fresh stories. I am thrilled to be working with this sharp ensemble, and twisting the audience's perception a bit...