Hello Beautiful People,
Once again I find myself sitting down at Schmackary’s, with yet another stellar singer, actress, and comedienne, Liz Lark Brown. Liz is funny, articulate, and all around phenomenal. She’s a graduate of the musical theater program of Syracuse University, and the William Esper Studio in Manhattan, a regular in the New York City cabaret scene, and part of the musical theater collective, Joe Iconis and Family. She has received the MAC Award – New York Debut (2011), Bistro Award – Best Debut (2011), Nightlife Award – Outstanding Vocalist (2011), and was the MetroStar Winner in 2009. Most recently she was seen onstage in Daniel Maté’s, The Longing and The Short Of It at the Theatre at Arts Garage.
Ladies and Gents, meet Liz Lark Brown…
MM: Did you always want to be an actress/singer?
LLB: Yes, actually. My cousins and I used to spend a lot of time at my grandparents’ house, and my grandma had this trunk full of colorful scarves that we would use to play dress up, and then stop all family activities so everyone could look at us putting on a show of some sort. My parents were slightly older than those of other kids my age, and therefore had an older musical sensibility, so I grew up with Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Lena Horne and Rosemary Clooney (among others) playing in the house. Also, at every family party – birthday or holiday, my uncle would sit at the piano and play. Everyone would sing along. Those of us taking music lessons each took turns playing our instruments. Even if you didn’t sing, you were made to get up and try, but that’s how I was indoctrinated with the whole Great American Songbook. It sounds corny, but I am so grateful for that. By the time I got to school, I already had this whole base that most of my peers didn’t seem to have.
MM: Of all the roles that you’ve played, which ones are most memorable to you?
LLB: The Baker’s Wife, from Into the Woods – that’s one of my all time favorite shows, and Rosa, from The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
MM: Just for fun, what books are permanently on your bookshelf?
LLB: Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, several of David Sedaris’ books, Wisdom From It’s Not Easy Being Green And Other Things To Consider (Jim Henson), Before You Leap: A Frog’s-Eye View of Life’s Greatest Lessons (Kermit the Frog), In Defense of Food (Michael Pollan), Lady Chatterly’s Lover (D.H. Lawrence), Hedda Gabler (Ibsen), Complete Poems of Dorothy Parker, The Law of Spirit: A Tale of Transformation (Dan Millman)
MM: Just for fun, if you were stranded on a desert island, assuming there was a DVD player, what movies and television shows would you want to have with you?
LLB: The Muppet Show – it’s a huge basis for my sense of humor, the quick-witted one-liners and silly puns, and that show was one of the first places where I was exposed to the idea of “backstage” at a theater, which was great to see as a kid. Also, All in the Family — when I watch it, I feel like I’m watching a great piece of theater, as it was a really symbiotic cast, with very well developed characters, smart writing and fantastic acting, and Mad About You for the same reasons. And Modern Family. As far as movies go…When Harry Met Sally, Some Like it Hot, Singing In The Rain…really the whole catalogue of movie musicals – I love Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, and Judy Holliday.
MM: Just for fun, what musical theater character is most like your actual self? Least?
LLB: One of the reasons why I love Into the Woods so much is that The Baker’s Wife really resonates with me; strong, earthy, yearns for her own family. As for who is least like me – I don’t know, any princess character…Cinderella perhaps?
MM: What sound do you hate? Love?
LLB: I love the sounds of laughter, particularly little kids, or rain on a roof when you’re sleeping. Hateful sounds? Repeating, unattended car alarms, or nails on a chalkboard.
MM: If you could offer one piece of advice to students in high school and college who wish to pursue a career in theater, what would that be?
LLB: Oh gosh, I don’t know if I’m the person to come to for advice. But how about this: Each experience teaches you something, even if it’s not directly a piece of theater or film that you’re doing. I worked at Don’t Tell Mama (piano bar) for years, and it gave me an invaluable skill, not so much in playing a character, but just as myself – I now am much more at ease getting up in front of any type of crowd, at any time of night, and can banter back at a heckler if need be, or just feel generally in control of the situation. Also, if you’re in a school setting in particular – and you don’t feel you’re getting the type of experience or education or even basic attention you need – don’t stay just because you are stubborn and don’t want to feel like they’ve “beaten you.” Go somewhere else. Arts education shouldn’t make you start to hate the very thing you loved in the first place. But do it gracefully. It’s important not to burn bridges in this business, and you never know who someone will know or have worked with down the line.
MM: What’s it like being part of Joe Iconis and Family, and part of such a collaborative process?
LLB: I feel so lucky to be able to work with such a warm, giving, funny, and insanely talented group of people. Joe really has created a family, and he’s a prolific writer with a keen eye for the artists with whom he chooses to play. When he writes something new and hands it to you, he welcomes your input in shaping the piece. What a lovely gift to be involved in a truly collaborative process.
MM: In today’s economy, arts programs are being cut. What reasons would you give to a politician and/or school board for preserving the arts?
LLB: Art fosters independent, creative and critical thinking. It forces students to think for themselves and allows for a more interesting outlet for their ideas. Great literature inspires imagination; broadens vocabulary. Good acting classes will improve listening and communication skills; perhaps inspire an interest into the psyche, or at least an empathy for another viewpoint. Music lessons will improve math scores. Dancing, painting…whatever the medium, true study requires discipline and yields beauty. We need the nuts and bolts to make the world work, but isn’t the passion and compassion inherent to the arts why the world works? I think arts education just makes for a better human; it can only enrich our lives.
MM: What’s next for Liz Lark Brown?
LLB: Well, thankfully I had a lovely and busy 4 months thru December, and now with January it’s back to auditioning. I’ve got a few voiceover gigs, and then we’ll see what kicks up. Such is life for the actor…
MM: Who is/was your greatest teacher?
LLB: My family, for various reasons. They all posess(ed) their own strengths, and strength in general. I think a lot of creativity comes from my father. He’s a retired teacher and an interesting, funny character. Both my parents were funny. Unfortunately my mom and grandma have passed away. But I think that if I have any grace in this world, it’s because of those two ladies. They lived by example and I learned by osmosis. And all three of them along with my grandfather, uncle and cousins were musical in some way or another. Musical and loving. There was a band teacher in my high school, Mr. Alan Dietz, he saw something in me that he believed in, and that was special. Here in NY – Bill Esper, I’d recommend everyone take classes with him. And adversity – cliché as that may be, has taught me life is short, appreciate the moments. I’m still learning.
Thank you, Liz!
Live, Love, Learn,
Megan &