Hello Beautiful People,
I’m so pleased to introduce you to our newest featured actress in the Actors & Actresses Q&A Series, the fabulous Betsy Struxness. Betsy is an actress, a singer, a Julliard educataed dancer, a photographer, and a voracious reader. She is just as kind and personable as one would imagine, and I’m truly happy to be able to call her a friend. Betsy is currently playing in Matilda on Broadway, a show that has recieved nothing but praise. Take a look at the exclusive Q&A that Betsy did for The Write Teacher(s), as she was so gravious to give me an hour of her time to chat about life, art, theater, and what it’s like to be back at the Shubert.
TWT: There is so much buzz surrounding Matilda on Broadway. What’s that been like?
BS: I’m excited. But nervous. I was in Memphis for two years, and then I left Memphis to go to Leap of Faith, which closed, two and a half weeks after it opened. Six weeks later I got to go back into Memphis, my performance back, we got our closing notice. It was one of those things that although I felt devastated, it was beautiful to be part of the closing cast. I was not part of the original cast, but I came in so soon after that it felt like I had been there from the beginning. A month after that I started rehearsals for Scandalous. Scandalous closed three and a half weeks after we opened, but I knew I had Matilda. So yes, this is very, very exciting, but also scary.
TWT: Of all the roles that you’ve played, is there one that is closest to your heart, most memorable?
BS: I was on the All Shook Up tour from 2006-2007. I got to understudy Natalie and Sandra. It was one of those shows for me where my ensemble track was so much fun to dance, and to understudy the leads, who were so incredibly different – the tomboy and the cougar, well, it was great. I got to be the tomboy and the vampy sexy lady, and dance a tremendous amount. It’s going to be very hard for me to find another show to encompass all those things again. Nobody is just one type of anything, so it was nice to stretch and play both women, and dance.
TWT: What advice would you give to high school students and younger folk who wish to have a career in the entertainment industry?
BS: Find yourself. Do your best and never forget who you are. As long as you’re working to impress yourself, and be proud of the work that you do, everyone else will follow suit. Once you start seeking the approval of others, you lose ground. Always know that you can continuously learn something.
Photo by Randy Morrison
TWT: Just for fun, what sound do you love? What sound do you hate?
BS: I don’t really know what sound I actually hate, but, I love the sound of my dog, Ozzy, breathing when he’s asleep. It’s very peaceful and heartwarming.
TWT: What’s permanently on your bookshelf?
BS: I love Wally Lamb; I think he does a magnificent job of telling stories that span decades. I’m a huge fan of historical fiction. Currently I’m reading Fall of Giants, by Ken Follett. I also think Erik Larson is pretty fantastic. His work is actually nonfiction, but he spins his information into what feels like a novel format, and it’s fantastic. I’m also ending my day by reading Conversations with God. It’s a great to end the day with positive thoughts.
TWT: Did you read growing up?
BS: My sister and I didn’t have TVs in our bedrooms. We didn’t have a set bedtime, our parents said as long as you were up reading; you could stay up as late as you want. It worked like a charm on my sister; she’d always fall asleep reading. I, on the other hand, would always be up late at night, and when I did fall asleep, it was usually with book in hand.
TWT: Do you have a dream role, if so what is it?
BS: I’m not sure my dream role has been created yet, because of how much I love dance, and because of how much I love to sing, I need a great combination of the two; A role that would be a mix of Amneris from Aida and Cassie from A Chorus Line. Matilda might come close, because I get to understudy Mrs. Wormwood, one of the leads.
TWT: You’re back at The Shubert! What’s that feel like?
BS: When we first got to go into the theater for the first time with Matilda, I was overwhelmed with my emotional response. Memphis was truly such a special show. People talk about casts being families, but Memphis was truly like that, so, going back to the Shubert? It feels like coming home.
TWT: In today’s economy, arts programs are being cut. What reasons would you give to a politician for preserving the arts?
BS: If you look back at history, the thing that sticks throughout the world, the thing that creates culture, is art. By cutting back on those programs, we’re making America very sterile. A friend of mine, Daniel Watts, he told a story about when he was in college, and 9/11 happened, and he was in North Carolina. He was required to go see a performance of a play that was being done on campus. The kids didn’t want to go, because of what had happened. But they were required to go. He tells that that was the best thing he could have done for himself that day, because for three hours, his heart was uplifted. It made him remember that there is so much beauty in this world, even with all the atrocities that happen. If you cut out art, you’re cutting out a way for people to heal.
TWT: Who is/was your greatest teacher?
BS: My parents. They are both such hard workers. I got my work ethic from both of them. And, they’ve been my biggest supporter of my dreams. They let me go to ballet camps in Seattle when I was twelve. They let me go to a ballet camp in Manhattan when I was fourteen. After I had that trip, I said OK, I’m moving there after college. They smiled, they said OK, they humored me, but they helped make all this happen.
Thank you, Betsy!
Live, Love, Learn,