Known for its performing arts in the university community, Hart House Theatre is currently showcasing the comedic work of the acclaimed Canadian playwright, George F. Walker. We The Family revolves around the dynamics of the classic dysfunctional family through captivating portrayals and witty dialogue. Poor decisions and personal failures season the play into the funny, wrenching and definitely dramatic masterpiece it is acclaimed to be.
Charming and funny, Jessica Allen is more than just a campus celebrity. She is the talent behind her character, Sonya in We The Family. From acting advice to favourite memories, here is some insight into her generous and darling personality.
How long have you been an actress?
I left Newfoundland in 2009 to train in theatre and I’ve been working professionally in Toronto since 2012.
This is your debut with Hart House Theatre, what differences have you encountered, both good and bad, compared to your other experiences in television and other plays?
Compared to working in television, theatre is always drastically different. I hadn’t been in a play since March, so I was eager to indulge in a longer rehearsal process and playing to a live audience again. Hart House, as a community, has been super encouraging and helpful since the beginning of the process. Shout out to Andrea Wasserman and Doug Floyd!
What has been your biggest achievement in the field of acting?
Making my Mom proud! She’s the craziest fan lady for real.
What are some of the difficulties of the acting business?
The acting business is crazy as heck, because it is just that a business. For myself, and a lot of other actors though, we are actors because we want to be artists; create art that inspires conversation or sparks change in the world we live in. However, difficulties include money—it is expensive to be an actor, but you are also broke because you are an actor—due to the spontaneous, sporadic nature of the job, your life literally has no schedule or consistency.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become an actor or actress?
Everyone’s path to becoming an actor is different. Trust in the struggle; it shouldn’t be easy.
As a University of Toronto alumni, how does it feel to return (although to a different campus) to the university?
Very comforting actually—plus, the campus is gorgeous. It has been giving me bouts of nostalgia for sure.
Could you tell us about what we can expect from We The Family from your perspective as a cast member?
High stakes and extremely fast-paced. Mature comedy. Hopefully a seed for a conversation on how some North Americans manufacture their own self-destruction through an inability to understand racial/cultural differences and gender differences. It’s very George, haha.
What was your first impression of your character? Did you like her or feel any connections with her?
That she was extremely strong. I could see immediately through how she could be perceived versus how I saw her. Too many people I have discussed Sonya’s character with see stereotypes and classic tropes in her. But I disagree. When talking to George about her, we agreed that there were two very defined sides to her: the independent survivor and the grounded mother. To me, I identified with her making choices to protect her family and using her cunning, as well as her sexuality to her advantage. Plus, I love, love, love the romantic, youthful side of her—deep down, she, like most of George’s characters, are just looking to be acknowledged and heard.
What has been your favourite memory working with the cast of We The Family?
Can I have two? Ok, umm, a secret memory in my dressing room with Sarah Murphy-Dyson and her abundant wisdom/honesty. Anything Connie ‘Con Con’ (Merle) does pre-show—she’s a fabulous dancer and her vocal warm-ups sound like death.
Last question(s), were you inspired by anyone when you pursuing your career in acting? Any current inspirations?
A friend of mine, Jeremy, first inspired me to pursue acting. He was the first person in my life who knew exactly what he wanted to do, and was courageous enough to go out and do it when no one around us seemed to even know what the heck was going on. Currently, I am quite inspired by my cast. This is a group of people all collaborating together because of a love, almost idolatry of George’s work and a chance to feed our acting souls.
We The Family will be running its final week until October the 3rd, 2015
Photos courtesy of Jessica Allen, Scott Gorman, and Cloudage Photography