There’s a reason why people call Laura Osnes Broadway’s princess. She’s beautiful, inside and out. She’s humble. She’s kind. And I’m pretty sure if she stood in the woods and sang her heart out, all the woodland creatures would come out of their hiding places to perch on her arm and sing along with her
I was thrilled when Laura generously lent her time and talents DUETS with thewriteteachers.com Volume 3, and I’m so happy she’s kicking off our relaunch of the Actors & Actresses Q&A Series!
MM: First things first, when did you first realize you wanted to be an actor?
LO: I used to only listen to Broadway cast albums and started acting out musicals in my living room when I was five years old. I sang “Castle On A Cloud” from Les Mis at my kindergarten talent show. I did my first show in 2nd grade playing a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz, and the rest is history.
MM: Of all the roles you’ve played in your career thus far, which ones are the closest to your heart?
LO: It’s so hard to choose just one! There are two before Broadway: Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Peter in Peter Pan. And on Broadway: Bonnie in Bonnie & Clyde and the title role in Cinderella.
MM: When one walks into your home, what books are permanently on your bookshelf?
LO: I am unfortunately not a huge reader, but my husband brought a healthy book collection to our marriage/home. He spent a year as a youth pastor and went to an awesome Christian college in Minnesota, so we have several Bibles and books to inspire/grow our faith. We also love to cook so have several cook books, and I have several books I’ve acquired from research for past theater roles.
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?)
LO: Master Chef, haha! That’s my current tv addiction. As far as movies go – The Notebook, The Lord of The Rings trilogy, Pirates of the Caribbean (can I also bring the rum?)
MM: (You can absolutely bring the rum!) What’s the best piece of advice you’d want to offer aspiring actors and writers?
LO: There is no 5-step plan to follow to “success.” Work hard, be kind, be yourself, be prepared, and follow your OWN path that leads you to the right place at the right time.
MM: What sound do you love? What sound do you hate?
LO: I love the sound of my dog’s toes pattering on the hardwood floor as she follows me around my apartment… (in fact, I miss that sound so much when I’m away from home!)
I hate the sound really loud music at restaurants or parties… it makes my voice hurt just being in that atmosphere sometimes, let alone trying to talk over it, haha.
MM: What literary or musical theatre character is most like your personality? Least like your personality?
LO: I definitely could relate to Sandy Dumbrowski! I was totally the girl in high school that didn’t drink, swear, or rat my hair; the “good girl.” But deper than that was Cinderella’s characteristics of kindness, generosity, charity, and learning to believe in the impossible. That’s the woman I strive to be and hope I can embody! I would hope someone like the evil Witch in Into The Woods or the horrid Miss Trunchbull from Matilda would be least like my every-day personality.
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?
LO: ARTS EDUCATION IS SO IMPORTANT! We need to develop a next generation of arts-lovers, whether they become artists themselves or patrons of the arts! I am passionate about this issue because I firmly believe arts education and the opportunities I had to be exposed to and participate in the arts as a young adult are WHY I am living my dream career on Broadway today. I am currently spokesperson for the Spotlight Education Program in my home-state of Minnesota, which recognizes/honors excellence in high schools and students making extraordinary achievements in theater across the state of MN. I am also an ambassador for the New York Pops “PopsEd” Education program, which provides children with free music lessons, complimentary admission to rehearsals and concerts, and classroom music programs. I also love teaching and do masterclasses across the country for aspiring young performers. I would highly support any program trying to uphold the value of arts education.
MM: Who is/was your greatest teacher? (Can absolutely be more than one)
LO: An incredible human, director, mentor, and friend, Matthew Howe was probably the most influential theater teacher I ever had. He directed me in several shows from age 17-20, when I was really coming into my own and hungering to develop my craft as a young performer. I also had Dennis Swanson, who was a teacher and director at my high school. He directed me in over 12 shows throughout my youth, starting when I was in third grade. He definitely planted the seeds of my craft and a love for theater in my heart early on, and Matthew later cultivated those seeds to help be grow beyond what I thought I would ever be capable of!
Thank you, Laura!
Live, Love, Learn,