What is your favorite place to be? To live?
My hometown Pitman, on my front porch with my best friends. I love living in LA and NYC but to be happiest, I need to be near lots and lots of trees.
Favorite thing about the place where you grew up?
It’s my home! It’s tiny. You can walk the entire thing easily. The people there are so supportive and it was a nice place to grow up.
Your favorite was of spending time when you are between jobs?
I love hiking, being in the trees, but i also love to lay on the couch and binge entire docu-series.
Favorite way to do so in your downtime on set?
I read voraciously when I’m working.
I can think of a million thoughts on this question, but what are your favorite things about the character of Janine/Ofwarren?
She’s a badass. Janine looks like someone who has been broken but she really is quite the opposite. There’s always something left to be discovered with her as a woman and a character that is endlessly fascinating to me.
Hedgehog is a movie you recently starred in and produced. It’s a lovely film. What were your favorite and least favorite aspects of producing?
Ah producing in the capacity in which I produced on Hedgehog didn’t involve a lot of actual producing.
Was this your first undertaking into a behind-the-camera responsibility?
Yes although I learn so much through every job. I definitely want to spend more time learning about producing and writing and directing so I can eventually be more hands on in those departments.
You also are cast once again against the incomparable Ann Dowd. What is your favorite thing about working with Ann? About Ann in general?
YES! Ann is a generous, intelligent, warm hug of a human being. I love working with her as an actor because I learn so much about what it is to be gracious and an incredibly hard worker. Ann is a very dear person to me. She is a confidante and friend and comedian and mentor. She’s the best, really.
What is the favorite question somebody has ever asked you in an interview?
Oh I love any questions in which I get to gush about the people i work with.
Just a few things I would like to know about you that I couldn’t figure out how to frame within my (probably tedious) thread above:
In my research for speaking with you, it appears that OITNB was your first professional hiring. Is that the case? Could you talk a bit about how that opportunity came about?
Yes! I had spoken with an agency in NYC after they had seen me in a showcase at my college. I was about to graduate and go to do a musical in Connecticut for a few months. When I got back and was looking for apartments in NYC, I was working at Victorias Secret, and this agency thought we should just start sending me out for some TV stuff just to try it out. First audition, I booked Tricia. I went into that room shaking like a leaf, didn’t have my lines memorized, I was completely terrified. Thankfully, Jen Euston saw potential where anyone else would have seen a scared little girl.
Was it your first acting experience – what were you doing when that was happening acting or otherwise. After getting the job were you terrified?
I did theater since I was 7 so i wasn’t unfamiliar with acting in general but i was TERRIFIED when I was on set. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Once, they called second team and I didn’t know what that meant. I didn’t move. Lea Delaria just grabbed me and said something like, Hey come here. If you have any questions at all feel free to ask. I remember what it was like to be on set for the first time.
You imbue each person you play with a beautiful purity, even in the women who aren’t necessarily pure. Do you specifically make a point of finding this emotional arm within the person you play or does it just come about naturally through your, for lack of a better word here, performance?
I do think I try to find an element of vulnerability in every character. I find their “weak” spots. Their moments that make them more human than just character. I’ve been lucky to be on shows in which the writing is outstanding. The writers do most of the work in making these characters whole and nuanced.
What is on the horizon for you in your work both completed and coming up?
My film Cam will be on Netflix by the end of this year I think! I’m so, so proud of that film and the story it’s telling. It’s about a cam girl, a camera sex worker, who in the world of online porn has her identity stolen and she fights to get it back.
Just a few more Favorite questions –
Favorite dress you’ve ever worn?
I wore a Georges Chakra dress earlier this year that made me feel like a punk rock cinderella.
Favorite pair of shoes you own?
I like kicks. I will wear sneakers to any event if you’ll let me (which no one ever does).
Favorite piece of jewelry?
I have a bracelet that says “fucking psychotic” on it. My boyfriend got it for me after knowing me for all of a week. He sees me!
Favorite hair color?
RED. I miss the blonde sometimes but redheads have more fun
Favorite beauty product?
I use mostly all natural Aesop products. My cleanser and exfoliant are Kate Somervile and they are perfect for my skin. I have a Natura Bisse facial peel that is my FAVORITE.
Favorite beauty secret?
My teeth are white as heck since I started brushing with activated charcoal.
Favorite way to end an interview?
Eating food. let’s go!
Photographer : Heidi Tappis
Creative Director: Deborah Ferguson
Layout Art Director: Charlotte Lethbridge
Make up: Jenna Kristina at The Wall Group
Hair: Mara Roszak at The Wall Group
Photo Assistant: Lisa Flory