I’m excited to share an interview with local talent Meg Phinney, who has been acting for years, and it’s definitely a passion of hers. You can see it when she’s on stage, and the passion of acting has followed her through her directing as well. She is currently in rehearsals with her cast for Little Women, which will be on stage at Artistic Civic Theatre on Thanksgiving night.
She is a drama teacher at a local middle school and very involved with Artistic Civic Theatre and Dalton Little Theatre. Meg shares with me three fun facts about herself, and she also talks about her love of acting and joys and challenges of directing.
Introducing Meg…
What do you love about your life right now?
There is a lot to love about life right now. I have a wonderful job where I get to share my love of theatre with some awesome middle school students. My family is growing, and I am about to be an aunt. I have a very kind partner and some amazing friends. I feel very blessed for sure.
Was there a particular actor or play that inspired you to become an actor?
Many people have inspired me, but most of all, my parents. Both my Mom and Dad are incredible performers, directors, and people. They have been such an inspiration to me in the way they lead and the way they live. My favorite playwright, Lauren Gunderson, is also a huge inspiration to me and has informed my theatrical taste in so many ways. She writes stories in a way I only wish I could and inspires me with how much care is put into her work. She makes me want to work harder.
You’ve acted in many plays and directed as well. You’re one of my favorites by far, and I’ve seen you on stage through the years at ACT and Dalton Little Theatre. One of my favorite performances was when you were in Book of Will directed by Chase Parker. What do you love about acting?
I have always loved acting. It is great fun pretending to be someone else for a while. I absolutely loved being in Book of Will (which is a Lauren Gunderson play). That is a highlight for me. I think there is something very special about sharing a story through a character. I am actually a very shy person, and I do not know how to explain it, but when I am on stage and quite literally pretending to be someone else, it feels safe to be silly and to let myself feel all of my feelings. Weirdly, it feels very safe to be in such a vulnerable space. I don’t know if that makes any sense, but that is the best way I could think of to describe it.
It makes perfect sense to me, and I understand what you’re saying. The newest play you’re directing is Little Women, which will be on stage on Thanksgiving night at ACT. Tell me about the joys and challenges of directing.
Directing is an experience, to say the least. It comes with all sorts of highs and lows. I only like to direct shows I feel very passionate about because, in my opinion, there is nothing worse than a show with no vision or care. I think that is also what is so challenging about it- you care so deeply about the story and concept. Sharing something so deeply personal like that can be so intimidating, but I think that is what matters about theatre. We must share ourselves in the stories we tell. With Little Women, I feel such a personal connection to this story, and I feel a deep responsibility to get it right. I think I might put too much pressure on myself, but directing comes with responsibility. You owe it to your audience, your cast and crew, and yourself to do your best work. To me, directors carry shows across the finish line. Your vision, your passion, your voice. It’s on you.
What’s your personal connection to Little Women? What was it about this play that you directed it?
I love the story of Little Women, and I think it is just one of those timeless stories that we come back to for comfort. This story has been a huge part of my life since childhood. When I was little, my sisters and I used to perform small plays and musicals in our grandma’s basement and Little Women was the absolute favorite. We sang these songs and decided who each sister was- I was Beth. I have always adored this story, and it holds such beautiful memories. It also just reminds me of my grandma.
Earlier this year, in September, my grandma, whom we lovingly referred to as Mimi, passed away. Mimi not only had a huge impact on us but also on Artistic Civic Theatre and our community. As much as I wish she was here to see us finally perform this piece, I know that her spirit and heart are here with us. Mimi was a champion for this theatre and all the people who made it so special. This show is all for her.
“I want to do something splendid… something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead. I don’t know what, but I’m on the watch for it and mean to astonish you all someday.”- Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
Do you enjoy acting or directing more?
That’s a hard one. I enjoy both. They both come with pros and cons. Acting is great because you can look at a story through a singular lens, but, on the flip side, directing is great because you get to create the full picture. Honestly, it depends on my mood and how tired I am. Both are special in their own way, but if I had to answer right now, I would say directing. There is something very special about getting to share that piece of you with a group of people and then the public.
What’s the next play you’ll be working on?
There truly is no rest for the wicked. I will be performing in ACT’s production of Merry Wives of Windsor in January. As a huge Shakespeare fan, I am very excited about this one! I will also direct The Wizard of Oz with my students at school, which performs in April. I definitely like to stay busy.
You are quite busy. I’ll be there for Merry Wives of Windsor. Who are your biggest supporters?
I am very blessed to be surrounded by a wonderful group of people who are very supportive. I would say my biggest supporter is probably my boyfriend, Sabino. He is like my personal hype man. It is actually very sweet. I am very grateful for how kind he is to me and doubt myself a lot, and he is always there with a hand to hold and a wonderful hug. I don’t think I have ever known a kinder human being.
We all have experienced failure, and it’s part of our journey in life and leads to success. Do you have a favorite failure?
I have experienced lots of failures in my life. I am the queen of crash, burn, and try again. I love to say I will always figure it out- I just need to panic first. My favorite failure is probably when I directed Peter and the Starcatcher at Dalton Little Theatre last March. The show was successful, and the cast was extraordinary. I do not think I could have had a better group of people. I think that I personally failed people because I was not giving my best. My energy definitely dwindled throughout the process of that show. It was a beast, and I think I let my own insecurities get the best of me. The show was successful because I somehow managed to get together a fantastic group that never missed a beat and I am forever indebted to every single one of them.
If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what message would you want to convey to millions? What would it say and why?
That is a hard question. I think I would probably just put an image of a peaceful forest or the beach with the word “rest” on it. I think the world is such an intense place now with so much going on and I think for our own mental safety, everyone deserves to take a deep breath and rest for a second. As much as I would like to use something like that to convey my opinions and anger, I think all we can do now is take care of each other.
Any shows you’re binge watching?
Recently, I have been very into comfort shows I know. I have been rewatching Ted Lasso, Friends, and The Bachelor. I think I just do not have the mental capacity at the moment to take in a new world or story.
Describe yourself in one word.
Passionate
Meg, this is one of my favorite parts of the interview. Tell me three fun facts about you. I always learn something unique and fun about each creative with this one.
Oh gosh, I am a pretty open book. I don’t know if there is anything that people don’t already know about me. I am obsessed with my dog, Sundae. She is 17, and I have had her since I was 12. We are kind of package deal. Another fun fact is that I am an avid reader. I am obsessed with Agatha Christie, and I have now completed my collection of her novels! I also love very ‘grandma’ activities like puzzles and gardening. Last Christmas, my Mom gave me a puzzle table, and it is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received.
I love ending the chat with a quote. Do you have a favorite quote or saying that has inspired and motivated you in your life that you can share with my readers?
“If we are kind and polite, the world will be right.”- Paddington Bear.
Thank you for reading my interview with Meg. She’s an inspiration for our community and it shows in her acting and directing shows. You can also see her love for her family and students.
Check out Artistic Civic Theatre for tickets for Little Women here.