Interview with Sandra Struthers

Sandra Struthers (above)

Joining me today is Sandra Struthers. Sandra is a local actress in Minnesota who has performed in History Theater, The Guthrie, Mpls, Children's Theater Company and many others theaters.

Sandra can be contacted on facebook or sandrastruthers.com

And onto the interview...

Sandra, what was the most extreme change to personality, hair, body, etc that you have done to prepare for a role?

Once I had to wear brown colored contacts for a show. I'm not a contact wearer, and I had to get to the theater half an hour earlier than normal, just to get them in! I spent much of the show squinting and blinking excessively. I'm sure it was awful to watch. I don't envy those who have to wear contacts :)

In the play, a voice synthesized device seemed to be used for the voice of the Immigration officer, can you talk more about this?

Since the character is speaking a different language, the playwright had the character speak gibberish to help the audience imagine what it's like to be interrogated in a language they don't understand. In the play, the immigration office is described both as a "cannibal" and someone who speaks "the language of one thousand birds and beasts." We use the synthesized sound to create an effect of animal-like sounds coming from a human actor.

What is a question you’ve always wanted to be asked in an interview?

What performer did I want to grow up to be when I was a kid? Hands down, Carol Burnett.

***A clip from The Family featuring Carol Burnett

Besides, The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin, is there another Gig you are currently working on now?

I will be performing in Glensheen at the History Theater this summer.

Of all the roles you played in the past which is your favorite?

I loved playing Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire. The play is so well written, it's magical to perform every night. You get to be surrounded by poetry, and a very viscerally authentic representation of human hearts. I want to play Blanche soon!

***Clip with Sandra Struthers in The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin at History Theater

How long did you have to practice for The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin?

We rehearsed for four weeks. It never seems long enough, considering we are developing the script and adding all the technical layers. But we made it!

If you could give advice to a younger actor/actress what would it be?

Don't let yourself be guided by what others want of you (or what you think they want of you). You must avoid having the goal: "to be liked." Of course, always be kind and respectful, and do the job you are hired for. But, our work should be coming from an inner voice/inspiration that does not belong to us, and we don't have the right to judge it or stifle it (or take full credit when our work is great).

We must train ourselves to listen to our inner guidance, and let that flow through us, in order to make the most intelligent and creative work. We are serving a higher purpose, and the best way to do that is to follow to one's gut instincts.

Thanks for joining me, Sandra.

Thanks for having me.

That's all the time we have today folks. If you have any questions for Sandra, please comment below.