First off, what have you been up to lately – any new projects or things you’d like to promote?
I’m in mommy-hood now! I did just work on a couple of movies that will hopefully come out soon – one with Catherine Hardwicke and another called “Wake” with Chris Parnell and Penelope Ann Miller.
I’m still acting and looking for that next gig. If I had my druthers I’d work for a show like “The Pitt” or “Succession” – a show that’s true to life, with complex characters and backstories. The kind that people get invested in.
The market has changed so much with the strike, Covid and streaming. You have to take what you can get.
How did you get started as an actress – was that always the goal going into CMU/College?
I grew up in Pittsburgh and that was always kind of the goal. When I was young I started off doing dance, singing and taking acting classes. I was in a troupe with the Civic Light Opera with Billy Porter and Zachary Quinto – from eight to about 16 years old. We sang and danced around Pittsburgh and were used at times on the main stage at the Benedum and Heinz Hall. Then I got to play Annie at the Civic Light Opera which was a big deal.
After that I started taking more acting classed and heard about CMU – so that’s where I got my sight set. When CMU opened its doors to me that was a done deal for me.
How did Night of the Living Dead happen for you?
There was a local casting director – Donna. She reached out to the Civic Light Opera’s mini-stars to have some of us audition for the movie. A few of us went and Tom Savini was there. He had us do some improv- I did that and I got booked soon after.
What was it like working on your first movie and for Tom?
I had never been on screen before. It was overwhelming. They all treated me like an adult who knew what she was doing but I was only 12. I didn’t have a voice then to be able to ask questions so I kept silent and just hoped I didn’t screw things up. They were all lovely but I was the only kid on set – to be honest I felt uncomfortable. The fellow who played my father – he just recently passed – he was like a big little kid. That made me feel more comfortable. He’d take me to “crafty” for a snack – the food services area on movie sets. I didn’t even know what “crafty” was then!
I remember laying down on a door panel as we were shooting and having to pee. We were in the middle of shooting – I was afraid to ask to go and pee. Luckily they took a break and I ran and found the bathroom. Now, I have found my voice and I’m unafraid. I’ve come a long way since I was 12! I am doing everything in my power now to ensure my son and daughter have voices of their own.
How hard is it juggling a family with acting?
Honestly, it’s not a 9-5 job so it’s not hard. There were moments when I was up late breastfeeding and had to get up at 2:30 am to be on set at 4:00 am. I had to figure out how to manage that. My eye started drifting – I thought I had a lazy eye. When I went to the doctor they told me “No – you’re exhausted!” I was fine – just the muscles in my eye were telling me I couldn’t do this!
But, it works out. I love auditioning at home now – since Covid we can do that. I love in-person auditions too, but it’s nice to be able to put your kid to bed and do readings.
Do you get back to Pittsburgh often?
My folks still live in Mt. Lebanon – we go there every Christmas. They come out here to L.A. as well to visit their grandkids!
You had a number of parts afterwards in movies like Over Her Dead Body, A Leading Man, and TV like CSI: NY, Criminal Minds, General; Hospital, Modern Family, Magnum P.I., The Lincoln Lawyer etc. How hard is it jumping from different parts/shows?
It’s not harder to do it – it’s fun to be able to dip into different characters and genres. I trained at CMU and got my Masters there to do this. It’s in my blood now.
It does feel like at some point you as an actor have an essence people see. I played a lot of lawyers and snotty women – elite, professional women who hold their own with dudes. I learned very quickly that they really do see an essence in you. Some are the girl next door, etc.
Have your kids expressed any interest in acting?
I don’t want them to! I shielded my son – I never told him what I did. He thought I was a yoga instructor until he was five. But that was my fear – he is not a front-and-center kid. That was just me being weird. I had to loosen my grip.
My girl suffered more from anxiety so it was never a concern really – she’s more comfortable now. Of course she likes to act like Taylor Swift and all – but all girls really do that.
How do you decide that to vie for in terms of roles/shows?
I wish I had those choices. I love that you asked me that! There are some auditions I pass on but you take what you can get. I’m just not at that level to be able to be that picky. Zachary Quinto can pick and choose – he does stage and screen when he wants. But I’ll take what comes. I will pass if it calls for crass nudity. I don’t have anything against it I just wouldn’t take it – I wouldn’t take a role that is poorly written.
Do you have a desire to direct?
To be frank – no! I know so many people who love doing so but I have zippo desire to. I don’t want that responsibility – I don’t want to be in charge of that whole kit and caboodle. I’m also a terrible writer. I can critique writing but I can’t write. I would never bridge over to that.
Is there a point in your career where you kind of find your niche, or are you constantly sort of adapting and finding new challenges?
I’d love to play a parent. I don’t think there’s been a great movie that shows the ins and outs of parenting in a real, dramatic way. It’s hard and I don’t think we see that – those complexities. Its the most important job we have – I hope to raise good humans. I’m a mom more than I am an actor, even though my passion is acting. But at the end of the day I’m a mom – and we don’t see enough of the real drama that goes into being a parent on screen.
Have you filmed in Pittsburgh?
I auditioned for a show there but I haven’t done anything since Night of the Living Dead. I auditioned for Watson – a show filmed in Pittsburgh – they wanted someone with a strong Pittsburgh accent and I thought “I got this!” But they went with someone else!
Maybe your accent got lost over your time in L.A.?!
Maybe yeah!
Any sports interests/memories living in such a sports-focused city like Pittsburgh?
I’m hook, line and sinker a performer – I wasn’t into sports. That and hanging out with my high school friends at Mt. Lebanon. It was classes and drills all day then running with my high school crew.
I have two brothers – I’d go with them and my father to Steelers, Penguins and Pirates games. I sang the Nation Anthem at a Steelers game when I was 13! So that counts! For some reason they had me pre-record it in a studio and lip-sync it. I don’t know why – I was a good singer then. I was this little kid and they walked me to the middle of the field past the players. I looked at the Steelers players and their thighs were as big as me!
When they walked me to the center the guy – I don’t remember his name – he said “They told you that they messed up the recording and you have to sing it live, right?” Then he told me he was just kidding. That was the cruelest thing you could do to a kid! That’s a good memory.
My son’s passion now is baseball. “Ball is life!” That’s what we say in the house all the time now. Now it’s all about baseball. I was in the gym and watched the Blue Jays beat the Yankees. The Blue Jays called up this young pitcher Trey Yesavage – in his debut game in baseball he pitched 5 1/3rd innings of no-hit baseball against the Yankees! He was so humble when he was interviewed and talked about his family. I was in tears listening to him. When I heard his mother speak I heard this Pittsburgh accent and had to find out if she was from Pittsburgh! I looked her up- it turns out she was from Boyertown, PA – not that far away! Now I adore this stuff. But when I was a kid going to the games, I couldn’t have cared less!