FPCT Spotlight - February 22, 2012

Jill Vanderweit


How did you get involved with Coastal Disturbances?

Jill:  I did a show at Spotlighters about three years ago (with Brian, actually), and the Artistic Director passed my name on to Jay for a possible fit as MJ.

 

What makes Coastal Disturbances special?

Jill: I love Tina Howe’s writing – it’s musical, with rhythm and alliteration.  Even when the show is at its most absurd, the characters, and the words they say, still seem true to life.  

 

Why should people come see this play?

Jill:  It’s like a summer vacation at the beach, in the middle of February!

 

Are you anything like your character?

Jill:  Like MJ, I can be petty, bitchy, and romantic – all at the same time.

 

What has it been like working with the director, Jay?

Jill:  Jay is patient and fun to work with.  I really like the tools and exercises he used to help us function as an ensemble.

 

What do you think Coastal Disturbances says about our world today?

Jill:  MJ says:  Plus ca change, plus cest la meme chose.  (The more things change, the more they stay the same.)

 

When you aren't acting, what else do you do?

Jill:   Convention managing, proposal writing, public speaking, singing, travel.

 

What are the challenges of balancing acting with your regular life?

Jill:  I had to quit theatre entirely for a few years because my day job was so demanding.  This past fall, I turned the tables:  I quit the day job, and now I’m focusing on theatre!

 

What keeps you coming back to the stage?

Jill:  Acting is the one thing I do that I feel always provides a thrilling challenge.

 

What are your favorite past roles?

Jill:   I like characters who are just a little off-balance.  Some of my past favorites include Edwin Drood, Donna Luna Donna, Camilla Bowles, Brunhilde, and Mrs. Thurston Howell (Mystery of Edwin Drood, Yanks 3, Detroit 0, Top of the Seventh, Mistress, Ring Cycle, the Musical, and Gilligan’s Island, the Musical, respectively.) 

 

What is your dream role?

Jill:  There are many, but sometime I’d like to play Shakespeare’s Margaret of Anjou (from conniving young woman to bitter queen).

 

Who is your inspiration?

Jill:  I studied briefly with Franchelle Dorn, and I always find myself returning to the lessons I learned from her.

 

If you could be stuck on an island with one person, who would it be?

Jill: If stuck on an island with an actor, I’d prefer to hang out with an intelligent, nice guy like Tom Hanks.  (Plus, he already has useful experience with Castaway.)

 

What is the craziest thing you've ever had to do on stage?

Jill:   I used to do interactive murder mysteries on Amtrak between New York and Washington, DC.  As the murderer, I had a stage-style starter pistol hidden in my clothes that I pulled out in the final scene on the train.  The mystery detective also had a starter pistol, and wasn’t quite as good at hiding it.  He was arrested in New York’s Penn Station just before boarding the train, and the rest of us had to convince the police to let him go and let us do our show – without letting them know that I was “carrying” too.

 

What advice would you give aspiring actors?

Jill:  Study people and experience life.  You can only bring so much to a part if you haven’t reached the highs and lows yourself.

 

What is on the horizon?

Jill:  I’m going to the beach - for real!

 

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