Aubrey Plaza

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Photography SAM & DAVE Creative Director DEBORAH FERGUSON

Location West Hollywood

dress by ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER PARIS COUTURE

Interview by Sydney Nash

Let’s start at the beginning. You started your career in comedy. Tell me what it was like to enter the industry through stand-up. How has your background in comedy impacted your approach to acting?

Comedy was also something I was drawn to…my heroes were the SNL women and I always dreamt of following in their footsteps. I always wanted to be a film actress but felt like Improv and Sketch comedy was a great start and that hopefully that would lead to more dramatic parts. I would say that being in that world has helped me in so many ways. Improv is a skill I carry with me on every project. Its a way to be spontaneous and find moments that are truthful, funny or not. It taught me at an early age to be present in scenes and lift up your partners whenever you can…

In 2004, you began performing at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, originally created by comedians like Amy Poehler and Matt Besser. What was it like performing on this stage? Was there any added pressure?

When I was taking classes at UCB, it was cutthroat and very competitive. You had to earn being on that stage. The UCB 4 (the creators of the theater) were like gods and we all wanted to impress [them] so much. It was never about doing improv to get work in TV. It was about the art of long form improv and the goal of being able to get on that stage and perform in any way. Lots of rejection but when you got on the stage and it was working, there was no better feeing…it was like a drug.

dress by ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER PARIS COUTURE, earrings by ALEXIS BITTAR, tights by COMMANDO

In 2008, you secured roles in Parks and Recreation, Funny People, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. This must have been a major moment for you personally, and arguably, pivotal in your career. Tell me what that time was like for you and what it meant moving forward.

It was insane so get all of those parts so close together. I was living in Queens and waitressing at the time. So to be plucked out of that life was very wild. In a way, I think because it happened so fast and I didn’t have time to think, I was able to hold on to myself. Which I think can be hard when you are shoved in any kind of spotlight in Hollywood. It’s intoxicating. I had no idea I even auditioned to be on Parks and Rec until I found out later that I was cast. I remember I didn’t even dress properly for that meeting…I was wearing jean shorts and had no idea how impactful they day would be for me.

You added “producer” to your resume in the last few years, including The Little Hours and Ingrid Goes West. Tell me about your decision to dive into roles behind the camera.

I went to film school at NYU and studied directing. I have always wanted to be behind the camera so this felt like a natural step for my career. In high school, I spent a lot of time making movies. Movies are my favorite thing! I think it made sense to take more control over my career and be involved in all of the tiny decisions in the filmmaking process. When I read the script for Ingrid Goes West, I had such a vision about what that film could be and I wanted to make sure my opinion mattered beyond the actual shooting.

LEFT:dress by ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER PARIS COUTURE, earrings by ALEXIS BITTAR

RIGHT: Bodysuit by PINKO, heels by CESARE PACIOTTI

Actress, comedian, producer… you wear many hats. Tell me what a typical working day looks like for you. How do you balance these different roles day-to-day?

It’s a lot! I have to admit I am a workaholic. So it feels comfortable for me to be multi-tasking and switching hats all day long. But it’s a lot of pressure sometimes. I have grown very fond of producing. I love collaboration and bringing people together to create art. It’s very fulfilling. As an actress, I get completely psycho. If I enter into pre-production for a movie I am acting in, I usually drop everything else and focus on that character. I’m always in the mindset of diving off the deep end whenever I can…

Is there any one character that you’ve portrayed in your career that you feel you can most relate to? If so, which character and why?

Honestly, its hard to pick. Every character I play has some sort of aspect of me… I am my own instrument, so I have to use every part of me to bring these characters to life and make them real. Even if they are psycho, I still have to find that part of me…which isn’t that hard!

dress by ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER PARIS COUTURE, heels by MAGDA BUTRYM, earrings by ALEXIS BITTAR, tights by COMMANDO

I have to ask about Parks and Recreation. You just celebrated the shows 10-year anniversary. Even though the show has ended, fans are as avid as ever and it still permeates popular culture. When you took the part, did you expect the show to become such a phenomenon? How do you view the show now in the context of your career?

I had no idea how popular this show would get. When we were on the air, our ratings were not that impressive. In fact, most seasons we felt like we would be cancelled at any moment. That being said, I knew what we were doing was special. I think we all felt that way. There was a magical energy on that set. We all loved each other and made each other laugh all day long. It was never hard to go to work during that time. I think looking back…I realize how important chemistry is and how love can actually seep through the screen into people’s living rooms. I think people can feel it when they watch the show. I’m so proud to be a part of it and it makes me so happy that it’s still affecting people today. I don’t want it to ever end!

Capelet by ANTONIO GRIMALDI, heels by CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, earrings by ALEXIS BITTAR

You newest movie Child’s Play is a remake of 1988 film with the same name and stars the infamous haunted doll Chucky. What drew you to this role?

I thought it would be interesting to play a young single mother. Admittedly, I’m not much of a horror fan… although Chucky is such an iconic character that I knew all about those movies going into it. I never think remakes are the best idea – but I felt like this was a great reimagining of the story and so relevant to 2019. Technically being the villain. I can get behind that.

While preparing for this role, did you look to the original film at all for inspiration?

I watched it bit mostly just for fun. Our script is pretty different from the original but it does pay homage to those characters, so I definitely kept that in mind…

Horror seems very far-removed from comedy. What did you look forward to most foraying into this genre?

I never thought about it as a horror. To me, it felt like a drama so I treated it that way. But I do that with comedy as well. I don’t think about tone ever. I think about the character and how to create a real person. Funny or not.

LEFT: dress by 3.1 PHILLIP LIM, heels by CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

RIGHT: Capelet by ANTONIO GRIMALDI

You star in Marvel’s Legion, which is set to premiere its final season this year. Any insight you can give us into what’s in store?

I think it’s a brilliant ending chapter to this story. I can’t say much…but my character, Lenny Busker, has found herself in [a] cult leader role which was very exciting to play. She has finally found her place, but of course the Shadow King and David Haller have unfinished business so things get very complicated… I think it will be beautiful and extremely trippy!

Lenny is one of the most intriguing and complex characters on the show. A viewer never really knows what kind of character they’re going to get when Lenny’s on-screen, which is rather refreshing. Would you say it is more challenging or more freeing to play such an evolving and unexpected character?

I would say it’s a bit of both…but leaning towards more challenging… which I like. One of the most appealing parts of the process of Legion is interpreting Noah Hawley’s scripts… it’s so wildly imaginative and almost feels like performance art. We never know if were going to have to sing, dance, kill, love, die repeatedly, be reborn, do drugs, have babies… you just have to go along for the ride!

dress by 3.1 PHILLIP LIM, heels by CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

You recently hosted the Independent Spirit Awards. I have to ask, do you see any more hosting gigs in your future?

I hosted the Spirit Awards because I am a film lover to the core. But it was really fun getting back to my stand up roots and making comedy again. I would definitely do it again if anyone asked! It’s not something I ever thought I would do, but now that I know the process I could see myself taking it on again. Oscars!?

You seem to have done it all. Tell me what’s next for you. What are you looking forward to most in the next few years?

I am in a period of focusing on my own creative process. I am most excited about writing and directing and bringing some of my own ideas to life. I love acting in other people’s projects but I am ready to do my own thing and tell my own stories…