1. Hey Sandra! How is Kinky Boots going so far?Kinky Boots is going fantastic!! I can honestly say I feel lucky to come to work every day!!
2. For anyone who doesn't know, can you explain what your job as a swing entails and what roles you cover? What are the pros and cons of being a swing? Sure. Being a swing means being ready at a moments notice to go on. The range of notice you get is quite large. You could have a scheduled performance because someone has vacation, or personal days in which you know far in advance. Or you could be called to get ready during the show if someone has hurt themselves or is sick and can't complete the show. I cover 3 ensemble parts and the the 2 principal girls(Lauren and Nicola) A pro of swinging is being able to see the show from so many different character perspectives. A con is you don't get to perform 8 times a week 3. Have you created a character for when you go on as a factory worker? If so, can you tell us a little bit about her? Yes!! My characters name is Svetlana Boskovich (Lana for short). Her father is russian and her mother is british. She is slightly hurt every time Lola insults "Ukrainian folk dancers" 4. You've previously toured with shows such as Shrek, Jersey Boys and Hairspray. What is life like on the road for an actress? Yes!! I have spent most of my career on the road and have gone through all the phases of a love/hate relationship with it. Depending on the type of tour you can spend anywhere from 6 months or a year to 3 to 7 days in a city. I have never personally done what they call a "split week" which is hitting more than one city in a week. So what you always hope for is a tour that has longer sit downs therefore you will have what is known as a "golden day". This is a Monday where no travel happens and you truly have a day off. Sometimes if you do a bunch of 1 week stops in a row you don't ever get a true day off and that can be taxing on the body and the spirit. Being on the road is an adventure. You always hope for a drugstore and a Subway sandwich shop. If there are those 2 things in a city you can survive for the week:) There aren't many opportunities in life where you get paid to see the country and do what you love. Touring also affords actors the potential to save a great deal of money. It has helped me keep my head above water throughout my career. 5. Kinky Boots marks your Broadway debut. Can you tell us about the day you found out you got cast? My process auditioning was relatively quick. I only went in twice but I had worked for Jerry Mitchell and Stephen Oremus before so I think I had that going for me. When I found out I was beyond excited!! I couldn't wait to tell my Dad and Sister. I only looked towards our Chicago run tho because I didn't really know much about the show and wasn't certain if it would go to Broadway. I didn't want to count my chickens, if you will. Despite the brilliance of the material, this is a fickle business so I wanted to just take it 1 day a time. 6. Were you always interested in performing as a child? When did you decide to pursue a career on Broadway. I was definitely always interested in performing. I use to dance around my living room in my bathing suit to all my records and 45's. I also loved to sing and would make up my own songs. Once I started taking dance lessons at age 11 tho, I just didn't want to do anything else and I mean I really didn't want to do anything else. It was everything to me. I did go to NYU for drama, but to be honest, I didn't really want to . Deep down, I wanted to go to UCLA and pursue a career trying to be a back up dancer for major recording artists like Janet Jackson. The Fly Girls from In Living Color were a major influence in my life. But my parents, preferred that I remain in the same time zone. I don't know if there was a defining moment I decided to pursue broadway, but through my training at NYU I realized that it would be my life. I felt so energized and inspired by being around people that shared my passion. Also, living in the city and being able to go see shows was thrilling and made it seem attainable. 7. 6 quick questions: Favorite movie? Favorite musical? Favorite song? Favorite performer (Broadway or otherwise)? Favorite T.V show? Guilty pleasure? Movie: Dirty Dancing (hands down) Favorite of all time!!!! Musical: West Side Story or Hairspray. I think they are both flawlessly constructed shows Song: I will go with my favorite song right now. I'm a pop whore so I have been loving "That Girl" Justin Timberlake Performer: Broadway- Caissie Levy. I'm obsessed with her voice!! Otherwise- Celine Dion TV Show: Sex in The City Guilty Pleasure: Giulliana and Bill on the Style Network. I just love them |