Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Spotlight On...Hallie Haas

Name: Hallie Haas

Hometown: Northampton, MA

Education: B.A. Oberlin College (Theater and Comparative Literature)

Select Credits: Film: "Fort Tilden" (Grand Jury Prize SXSW), Theater: Iphigenia 2.0 (Cleveland Public Theatre), Beautiful Thing, The Altruists (Oberlin)

Why theater?: Theater is the most alive art form. Because each performance is unique - both between performers and between performers and audience - it requires one's fullest presence, which to me is the most thrilling and beautiful state of being.

Who do you play in Lonesome Devil?: The Daughter - she has a real name BUT IT'S A SECRET.

Tell us about Lonesome Devil: Lonesome Devil is the story of a rag-tag band of Satan-worshippers who kidnap a young midwestern teenager in an attempt to raise the devil. It’s a horror flick in the Tarantino tradition, a love story, and a sitcom – blood, laughs, and tears, baby, all you can eat.

What is it like being a part of Lonesome Devil?: The team is incredible, and I am constantly surprised by the dynamism of the play. My character has the biggest arc of any role I've ever played. In describing the show to friends, I often say, "I'm in the play and I still can't believe what is done to me."

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: As a comedy person I am predominantly drawn to theater that explores the hilarious and absurd. I am deeply inspired by children and children-at-heart – individuals with clown-souls who are willing to play at any moment.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: I've wanted to play Beatrice in Much Ado ever since I saw Emma Thompson bite that apricot at Kenneth Branagh when I was 8-years-old

What’s your favorite showtune?: This is a hard question! I am going to deflect with some beloved composers - Sondheim, Bernstein, Kurt Weill.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Danny Kaye if he was still around. Nowadays, if we're talkin' big guns, Annette Bening would be a dream. Or Steve Martin.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Rosalind Russell “A Woman of Many Hats"

What show have you recommended to your friends?: If The Foundry's Good Person of Szechuan was still running...

What’s the most played song on your iTunes?: "Retrograde" by James Blake

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Peanut butter? If you knew how much I ate you would understand my guilt.

What’s up next?: I’m an improviser and comedian so I perform in that respect regularly. I've been working on some solo character pieces, but as for bigger projects, who knows! The future is nigh!