Savannah Frazier is a proud AMDA NYC grad! Her favorite credits include Sophie/Mary Catlett understudy (AMAZING GRACE, tour and Broadway), Eve (et al) (THE APPLE TREE, Theatre Row), Laurey (OKLAHOMA!, Lyric Stage of Dallas), Alta (FROM THE FIRE by acclaimed Liz Swados, Edinburgh Fringe Festival), and Marc Antony (JULIUS CAESAR, Theatre 54). Savannah is currently attached to Broadway-bound FREEDOM’S SONG and Eric Schaeffer’s BOY MEETS GIRL musical adaptation. She recently premiered her one-woman show, “Ever-Long: Tales of a Tall Ingenue and Other Short(er) Stories” at Feinstein’s/54 Below in July. Original band: The Shirtwaist Sisters, EP on Bandcamp.
I’m thrilled to introduce her to all of you Write Teacher(s) Reader(s), as she is a welcomed addition to our Actors and Actresses Q&A Series!
MM: When did you first realize you wanted to be an actress?
SF: I like to attribute it to the time I played Lucy at age 6 in CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS at my church. I was told I was very sassy, and insisted on wearing red lipstick. (Not at all surprising :)) But I believe it was affirmed in me when I was in the ensemble of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF as a freshmen in high-school. I cried so much every time during “Sunrise, Sunset.” I felt myself connecting to a story, and that was the most incredible feeling.
MM: Of all the roles you’ve played in your career thus far, which ones are the closest to your heart?
SF: I will always have a fondness and appreciation for Laurey in OKLAHOMA! I first played her in 2012 at Lyric Stage of Dallas, and was over the moon to be doing my first equity job in the company of such incredible artists. That time for me was such a period of growth and self-discovery. I feel interconnected to Laurey; her spunk, her independence, her humor, her emotional depth. I look forward to the next opportunity to breathe life into her story.
MM: When one walks into your home, what books are permanently on your bookshelf?
SF: The Awakening by Kate Chopin, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, Letters to A Young Poet by Rainer Marie Rilke, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, and the complete, unabridged works of that ole Shakespeare dude.
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?)
SF: Movies: Pocahontas, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Anne of Green Gables, The Royal Tenenbaums, Emperor’s New Groove, and Pride and Prejudice (with Kiera Knightly….the VISUALS are breath-taking!) TV shows: Gilmore Girls, LOST (no pun intended), The Office and Mr. Rogers.
MM: What’s the best piece of advice you’d want to offer aspiring actors and performers?
SF: I’m still figuring it all out, and each day provides a new lesson it seems, but I think I’d widdle it down to: Trust your OWN path, that you are singular, that comparison is death, and that your gift is special and important enough to share with the world.
MM: What sound do you love? What sound do you hate?
SF: Sounds that I love: waves, trains rolling on tracks, thunderstorms, and drip coffee brewing. Sounds that I HATE: the sound of someone belittling someone else, and animals crying in pain (especially when its your dog that got hurt! #Archer!).
MM: What literary or musical theatre character is most like your personality? Least like your personality?
SF: Most like? Oh dear. I feel like I’m a culmination of Eliza Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY, Eve (et al) from THE APPLE TREE, and Lizzie from 100 IN THE SHADE. Aka A LOT? Least like: any poorly written ingenue.
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?
SF: The arts literally shaped me into the person I am. I am a more understanding, compassionate, inventive, open person due directly to the influence of my arts programs growing up. The arts teach you to think outside of yourself, to open your mind to other possibilities, to create in order to inspire change and hope in those around you. I truly believe arts have the power to change minds and hearts. I’ve seen it happen.
MM: Who is/was your greatest teacher? (Feel free to name more than one!)
SF: I have been blessed to have a slew of mega-superstar teachers, so this list may be long? I will say: those not named here were still empowering to me, but these listed directly changed my worldview: Lisa Forbis, Daron Bruce, Mike Ruckles, Evan Pappas, Ray Virta, Dan Daily, Jason Chaet, Jay Dias, Jim Stenborg, Catherine Cox, Elaine Petricoff, Stacy Tilton.
Thanks, Savannah! Write Teacher(s) Readers – be sure to catch Savannah in The Ugly Christmas Sweater Soiree on December 5th at The Green Room 42. Tickets are $5 off with the code KNIT5, and available for purchase here.