Sophie Thatcher

Q: What’s been the most challenging role you’ve ever had? The most transformative?
A: I mention this experience in nearly every interview, but only because it was truly a life-changing production. I played Anne Frank at Writers Theatre directed by the extremely talented Kimberly Senior. It was an eight month run. 200 shows. By then, I knew that this is what I wanted to do with my life. Theater is an all-encompassing experience and, when you are fully invested in the moment, for that to last – not one take – but two hours is the most exhilarating feeling. It was very emotionally and physically draining, especially since I was 14, and it was the summer before high school. All of my friends were hanging out getting ready for high school, but I had a show every night and had to stay in this certain mindset all day just to perform the show. It was discouraging at first, but realizing the impact it can have on the audience, and to have the opportunity to talk to them afterwards was beyond moving and inspiring. The feeling will stay within me forever. The theater space was very claustrophobic, which helped to jump into the reality of the characters. I think the audience was even experiencing the same anxiety as us on stage. With the audience being a foot away from us, everything had to be as honest and as sincere as possible. The intimacy element of the production made it easier for me to transform to film acting. 

Q: You star in Quibi’s When the Streetlights Go On as Becky, an angsty punk teen whose sister has been murdered. What drew you to the role of Becky? 
A: Becky is a very complex character with an interesting character trajectory. She has this vulnerability and softness inside her that you wouldn’t expect to come with the stereotype she appears to be at the beginning. She begins to take on this chameleon-like quality, as she is very influenced by the people that come in her life. She naturally changes in response to drastic events within her life. I can relate to the slight adjustments she made within her character and looks, to feel like she was moving on from a dark period, starting as an entirely new person. I find some kind of comfort in changing yourself in slight variations and starting fresh. 

Q: Were you able to draw on any of your own teenage experiences to inform your performance of Becky?
A: The nostalgic feeling of the entire story drew me in because it all felt so familiar, within the references and primarily within my character Becky. Becky was similar to how I was back in high school. I didn’t really fit into any friend group and was always floating amongst different crowds and people during lunch. As stereotypical as it sounds, finding a place to sit was always the most anxiety-provoking thing for me. I felt pretty removed from everyone, and that’s how I picture Becky felt before she met Casper. Although I always expressed myself and made sure I was different within the way I presented myself and my interests, I would never imagine putting myself out there. Becky was able to surpass me in that way, and later in the series she begins to branch out and gain this confidence she never had before.