Unassigned
I don’t know about you, but when I go see a good play, I become somewhat temporarily infatuated with the performers on stage. Think about it: these strangers bare their emotional, evocative souls in less than two hours time and in turn, shake up yours for days. Beyond this, all we get are a couple of generic sentences in the program about their college degree and professional experience and if you’re lucky, maybe a “Love to Mom and Dad.” If you’re like me and have ever wondered (okay, became slightly obsessed with) what these creatures (also known as actors) are really about, Cheeky sat down with one to take a look inside the life of a struggling artist.
Meet Jessie Anne Fisher, one of Chicago’s up-and-coming rising stars of the stage, who’s worked with such companies as Steppenwolf, Strawdog, The Hypocrites and beyond. Read on to learn about the joys of rehearsal, paying the bills and how to avoid becoming jaded.
Cheeky: What show are you currently performing in?
Jessie Anne Fisher: Well, I finished the remount of Red Noses with Strawdog this summer. Then I have some exciting things lined up for next year. Currently, I’m understudying at the American Theatre Company for Oleanna and Speed the Plow. Later on this year, I get to play Frenchy in Grease at American Theatre Company as well. Can’t wait for that Pink Ladies jacket.
Cheeky: What has been your favorite theatrical experience in Chicago and why?
JAF: Two years ago, I did the School at Steppenwolf. I got to spend 10 weeks working with 23 other incredible actors and had some of the greatest artists in the city as teachers. It was a beautiful thing. That sounds really lame, but it was. I was genuinely challenged and inspired each day of that program. And all for process sake, not necessarily for product. It actually changed my life. Seriously. Which makes it sound religious or like rehab…neither of which have I had much experience with…but it taught me to embrace all the good, bad and scary that goes along with having an open heart and living with honesty. Which I think is vital to be an actor or artist of any kind. Oh man, am I going to regret being this cheesy? F*ck it, it’s all true. Can I swear on the Cheeky website?
Cheeky: What has been your favorite show as an audience member and why?
JAF: I could talk about this for hours. I am a total nerd for theatre and so often, a production just makes me really giddy. The Pain and the Itch by Bruce Norris at Steppenwolf was the first show I’ve seen where I leapt to my feet for the curtain call. It was an incredible, intelligent show that I felt really forced the audience to take a look at themselves. But it wasn’t done in an aggressive or preachy way. Also, Sean Graney’s Edward II at Chicago Shakes was the first promenade show I had seen (ya know, the ones where you walk around the space with the performers). It was kind of amazing. Ooooh, also Irma Vep at Court Theatre (another Graney piece). Two actors played all these different roles with crazy quick changes. I have huge crushes on both the guys who were in that show because there wasn’t a moment wasted. It was hilarious and athletic and so much fun to watch.
Cheeky: What is your greatest aspiration as an actress?
JAF: Wow. Hmm…to never become jaded? But I just really hope I can continue to find the joy I have now and I hope I keep getting opportunities to challenge myself as a performer. I’ve been excited about theatre since I was seven and it would be a shame if that excitement ever went away. So yeah, thats my aspiration….
Also, to be in an original play written by Tracy Letts that involves Amy Morton, Shannon Cochran, Laurie Metcalf and Martha Plimpton (some of the women I grew up admiring on stage) that starts in Chicago and then travels the globe. That wouldn’t be too bad.
Cheeky: Do you have pinnacle companies, actors, directors in Chicago you are dying to work with, and if so, who and why?
JAF: It’s probably obnoxious to talk about Steppenwolf so much, but those people really know what they are doing. I have been lucky enough to perform on that stage and it was a dream come true. I would love to work there more in the future. And in a dream scenario, with those people. They are just a handful of the disgustingly talented people I have seen perform in Chicago. I mean, this city is chock full of incredibly brave and brilliant artists. Consider yourself lucky to be in Chicago, Cheeky readers! I do!
Cheeky: What has been the most challenging aspect about being an actress in Chicago?
JAF: Okay, so back to this jaded thing. So, I often equate going after a role I really want to falling in love. You have to fully jump in and be open and honest (key words I keep repeating, right?) knowing full well that you have no idea what the outcome will be, that you don’t control all factors involved. I fall in love with a lot of characters I audition for, and plenty of times, I don’t get the role. And I learned a long time ago how to shake that off and move on quickly. And when it works out, it’s the best feeling ever. But it’s very difficult to know that your fate in many situations is out of your hands. That you might just be too short or too tall or too young or old, even when you feel like, “No, wait! We can make this work!” That can be incredibly challenging. But it’s a good reason to make your own art too, so that you are in charge. So, yeah, you know, I just hope it doesn’t get to a point ever where I keep losing opportunities and get jaded and just decide to get a bunch of cats and have an email correspondence with an inmate….ya know?
Cheeky: The most rewarding?
JAF: Working in this city is so rewarding. I love that I get to explore so many genres of theatre with amazingly talented, funny and loving people. And I get to play music and improvise and just use all my creative forces. And no matter what is going on in my personal life, I have this great outlet that makes me happy every single day.
Cheeky: What’s a day in the life of Miss Jessie Anne Fisher?
JAF: Well, my friend, theatre doesn’t consistently pay the bills. So most days, I teach for Lookingglass [Theatre] and the Actors Gym. It’s the best job in the world and I never leave work angry. So I have a lot of free time, which is great. I’ve made a list of summer activities I plan on accomplishing, so those will be days of my upcoming life. Examples include: get tan, go to all of the museums, get on a boat, make music, go to the race track, find good hikes in Wisconsin. Some of these will be challenging. Like the tan one. I am super pale.
Cheeky: If you weren’t an actress, what would be?
JAF: I was just hiking in Colorado (where I went to college) and I had this moment where I was all alone on this mountain and I thought, “Oh, wow, I could totally just live like this. I could be done with acting and just play the guitar and be a ski instructor in the winter and teach people how to fly fish and white water raft in the summer,” which are two things, you should know, that I only have a very basic knowledge of. And then I saw fresh bear tracks and decided I should go home. But I love traveling on my own and making music and I love chemistry! So I guess I would be a world-traveling, folk-singing chemist.
Cheeky: Where do all the actors in Chicago like to hang out? Particularly – you?
JAF: There are so many actor bars in the city. I’ve spent lots of time at Long Room and Four Moons Tavern (great Bloody Marys). But I’m really into a good ole apartment hang with people. If that makes me lame, so be it.
Cheeky: What’s the word “cheeky” mean to you?
JAF: Well I am a pretty strong willed lady, but I blush really easily. That’s cheeky to me: confidence with a good dose of humility.
