Monday, August 18, 2014

Spotlight On...Hannah Sloat

Name: Hannah Sloat

Hometown: Durham, New Hampshire

Education: AMDA's studio program

Select Credits: Broadway's War Horse at LCT, The Glory of Living (I just received and NYIT Award nomination for Actress in a Lead Role), Venus in Fur (NC Stage Co.)

Why theater?: Because it gives so much to the audience and the performer and it's made anew every night. It lives and dies in two hours but it can, possibly, be captured in your memory forever.

Who do you play in Dragon’s Breath?: I play Laura, a huge fan of the "Dragon's Breath" books.

Tell us about Dragon’s Breath: Dragon's Breath is a modern fable about wishing big and not asking questions- and the resulting consequences of that. It's about literalism and dragons. And it's a comedy!

What is it like being a part of Dragon’s Breath?: It's been great to have our playwright in the room. Being able to ask questions about the text and get real time answers in rehearsal was something I've never experienced, and it helped us to get to the bigger questions more quickly- which was invaluable given the break-neck speed of Fringe.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I'm finding myself inspired more and more by the woman I meet that are a few years ahead of me in the business. The way they keep all the plates spinning while zeroing in on what they really love.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Juliet, Joan of Arc, Peter Pan.

What’s your favorite showtune?: Today I'll say... "A Spoonful of Sugar" (helps the medicine go down).

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: An unknown redheaded youngster in "Orphan Hannah", about an eight year old secretly thinking she was adopted because both her parents have brown hair and every redhead she sees on film is an orphan. (Think about this: Annie, Anne of Green Gables, Madeliene, and Ariel and Pippy Longstocking both lost their mothers- I also connected strongly with Peter Pan as a kid)

What show have you recommended to your friends?: It's the final weekend of Much Ado at Smith Street Stage and it's delightful!

What’s the most played song on your iTunes?: Maybe "Beautiful Child" by Rufus Wainwright. It's made it into several playlists.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Reese's Pieces?

What’s up next?: That is the question!