Actress Takes Break from Film Work to Appear on Local Stage

Fans of the stage might not get another chance to see Novato-bred actress perform up close much longer. She's squeezing in an almost-hometown performance between film and TV work mostly because she's been cast in a role she has already mastered.

Gordon re-steps into the iconic role of Billie Dawn in the comedy, Born Yesterday, playing at Cinnabar Theater in Petaluma from May 25 to June 10. She originally played the role in a 2006 production presented at the College of Marin. With her recent theater education and training, film experiences and the opportunity to play the role on stage again for family and friends, Gordon says she couldn't resist.

Since graduating from Harvard with a masters degree in acting, Gordon has landed professional representation in Los Angeles and has been up for several major television roles and new television pilots.

Gordon was cast in the feature film Seducing Charlie Barker, for which she received two best actress awards at the Geneva Film Festival 2010 and the Williamsburg International Film Festival. More recently she was cast as the leading lady in a new holiday film called December Dilemma. The film, which begins shooting this summer, stars Richard Benjamin, Tony Dow and Beverly Washburn. Gordon has also been cast in a television pilot called Working Girls, expected to make its debut this spring.

For tickets or more information about Born Yesterday, call Cinnabar Theater at 707-763-8920 or visit www.cinnabartheater.org.

Gordon recently talked with Cinnabar publicist Kim Taylor about starring as Billie Dawn in Born Yesterday.

Q) Are you concerned about the interruption in your career pursuits?

A) The timing of Born Yesterday was almost ideal for me. I have a couple of films I'm working on up here, as well as a few major commercial bookings that I've been able to do during the days, and then rehearsing at night for Born Yesterday. In addition to my Los Angeles management and talent agent, I also have wonderful representation here in San Francisco and have been fortunate to be selected for a number of projects.  And if something big pops up down south, it's a quick flight away. 
 
2) Are you concerned about playing the role of Billie Dawn again?

I'm excited to have the opportunity to reprise this role. I love the character because she is so "layered" and not one-dimensional, as many think of her.  Working with a new cast and director affords me the opportunity to make new choices and discover new aspects of Billie as my character comes into being.   My Granny Gordon never had an opportunity to see me when I played this role six years ago at College of Marin, with Jeffrey Bihr directing.  Neither did my little brothers. I was always saddened that they were never able to see this show, which is so dear to me. So, when I got the opportunity to play Billie Dawn again, I jumped at it! This show is for them.
 
3) Do you feel the period setting for Born Yesterday is something actors need to consider in presenting the characters? Is this play from 1946 dated?
 
One always takes into consideration what's happening in the time period and location where the piece takes place; research is part of the actor's homework. The beauty of this piece is that it is still so relevant.

Beyond the classic human relationship stories, there is much that resonates with current issues. For instance, the news is full of stories about bullying in schools. Harry Brock is the consummate bully, using physical intimidation and money to get what he wants, no matter who he hurts along the way. And speaking of his money, it's easy to draw a parallel between Brock's influence on politicians and the current focus on Campaign Finance Reform.

An issue that is near and dear to my heart, which runs throughout the show, is the importance of education.  My character, Billie, is actually quite intelligent, but she suffers from a lack of good formal education. When you know better, you do better. The knowledge that Billie gains through her studies empowers her to make better choices.

4) Talk about your training at Harvard and what new insights and recent experiences you can now bring the role of Billie Dawn.
 
The training I received in the masters program at Harvard and the Moscow Art Theater provided me with new tools in developing my character and interpreting the script. We studied techniques including practical aesthetics, Alexander technique, Shakespeare, classical Stanislavsky method, viewpoints and "inside/out-outside/in" acting, along with singing, voice, speech, movement, stage combat and dance courses from some of the world's leading instructors and artists.

Because my program did not focus on only one approach to performance, I am able to draw as needed from the various disciplines to meet the needs of the character and the show.

While living on the East Coast, I was cast at American Repertory Theater as the lead in The Donkey Show, directed by Diane Paulus, who also directed the Tony winning revival of Hair on Broadway.  This musical, a disco-infused interpretation of A Midsummer Night's Dream, was Ms. Paulus' debut as the Artistic Director at A.R.T.

Balancing the demands of Professional Theater and my MFA program, I played the lead roles of both Oberon and Mia (Hermia) for a year, and the show continues to run at A.R.T. to this day. As part of playing these roles, I had to be convincing as both a man and a woman without letting the audience know that I was playing both characters. Doing this show allowed me to hone my skills in the areas of physicality and voice technique — skills which I will bring to Born Yesterday and all my future roles.

5) Talk about your upcoming films or television projects.

I have quite a number of projects in the works at the moment. Perhaps the most exciting is the new animated film, Sky Force, a 3D film very much like the Pixar film Cars but with airplanes as characters, which just premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Working with Cameron Hood (Megamind, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, etc.), I was the voice of two lead characters, K.D. and Sporter. Keep your eyes out for his movie, which will be hitting theaters soon. I am also lined up to work on Cameron's next major animated film, which I couldn't be more thrilled about.

I am set to star in an upcoming holiday film, December Dilemma, which features actors you might know. Sean Aston (Lord of the Rings and Rudy) will play my brother. The film also stars the respected director Richard Benjamin and actor Tony Dow (Leave it to Beaver). Currently I have been filming a wonderful comedy called Tony Transam, which is shooting locally throughout the Bay Area.

Before heading up to beautiful Northern California for the rehearsals of Born Yesterday, I shot a TV Pilot called On the Brink. We are very hopeful it will get picked up by the networks. It even looks like I may have another TV pilot for ABC that will be shooting in San Francisco later this summer, about a group of friends from the Tech Generation.

As you can see, I'm blissfully busy and very grateful for all the opportunities that life is presenting me.