Grace McLean is a musical genius. I first met Grace when she wowed audiences at Joe’s Pub – I can’t remember what show it was – but I remember that she was a magnetic force onstage, and she has continued to be one of my favorite artists and one of the most fascinating people I know. Currently you can find Grace on the Imperial Stage playing Mary D in in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 – a show that I would urge everyone to see!
MM: When did you first realize you wanted to be an actor?
GM: It was probably when I was cast as Thumbelina in a musical of the same name when I was in 4th grade. It was my first play and I loved everything about it, from the community to the opportunity to express my little heart in song, I wanted to learn all I could about how to play pretend for real.
MM: Of all the roles you’ve played in your career thus far, which ones are the closest to your heart?
GM: Absolutely Marya D in great Comet. Not only have I spent the most time with her, she continues to teach me about love, guilt, humor, kindness, anger, and how to be a better, more honest, more risky performer.
MM: When one walks into your home, what books are permanently on your bookshelf?
GM: So many books about Art History, specifically medieval art which I studied in college and continue to cultivate a passion for.
MM: If you were stranded on a desert island, what television shows and/or movies would you want available to you, (assuming of course you have a television and Internet connection?)
GM: I’m so bad about TV and movies – I literally JUST started watching 6 Feet Under, and The Wire is next on my list. But I feel like desert island consumption should be about comfort and perhaps nostalgia anyway, so it’s gotta be “Only You” with Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei for sure (my favorite sick movie from my childhood), “Seinfeld” (there are so many seasons and so many episodes, it’ll pass the time), and probably “Boogie Nights” and “Brazil” for when I want to really feel things and appreciate the complications of mankind that I’ve somehow escaped on this island.
MM: What’s the best piece of advice you’d want to offer aspiring actors and writers?
GM: Find your voice and lean in to it! Make sure it’s yours, make sure it’s honest, and hone it, craft it, sculpt it so that you know how you work. Also, keep learning! Put yourself in challenging situations especially ones where you think “I can’t do this” and then TRY. See what happens. You’ll probably grow your craft AND humility and gratitude which I think are important to cultivate.
MM: What sound do you love? What sound do you hate?
GM: I love echoes. I hate anything that wakes me up.
MM: What literary or musical theatre character is most like your personality? Least like your personality?
GM: Well, when everyone was doing those instagram collages of who you are in characters, I said Jessica Rabbit, Professor McGonagall, and Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford in “Mommy Dearest.” And that still makes me laugh, so I’m gonna stick by it.
MM: In today’s economic state, arts education programs are being cut. What reasons would you give to a school board or politician for preserving arts education programming in schools?
GM: Well there are plenty of statistics that show how arts education keeps students engaged, raises test scores, and improves critical thinking. But what I can point to is personal experience: I attended after school arts programs starting at the age of 7, and I graduated from an arts high school as Saludatorian. I was continually exposed to a diverse array of art, philosophy and culture through my classmates and teachers, and I’m positive this helped me maintain an eager and curious academic mind.
MM: Who is/was your greatest teacher? (Can absolutely be more than one)
GM: I’ve had a lot of amazing teachers- my elementary school band teacher Mr. Henthorn, my high school English teacher Ms. Spicer, my college Shakespeare teacher Louis Scheeder – and the things they all have in common are patience, presence, and a sense of each student as an individual. They are all trying to teach us something specific, but they listen to HOW each student needs to learn and are flexible and caring enough to help each student get there in their own unique way.
Thank you, Grace! Write Teacher(s) Readers, be sure to stay up to date on the latest happenings with Grace by visiting gracemclean.com.
Live, Love, Learn,