Aria Alpert is a 2008/2009 Ovation Nominee for Lead Actress in a play for her performance in PHOTOGRAPH 51 at the Fountain Theatre.
If you’d like to add a congratulatory message for Aria (or any other Nominee or Nominated Company), to the Ovation Awards commemorative poster (distributed to all nominees and all attendees at the Ceremony), click here!
As an Ovation Award Nominee, LA Stage asked Aria the following questions:
What was the moment that first inspired you to pursue working in the theatre?
When I was a child my parents took me to see Dreamgirls on Broadway and Jennifer Holiday rocked my world. When she came out and did her famous, And I am telling you, I turned to my father with tears streaming down my little cheeks and said, I want to do that. That raw, visceral, deep emotion she was letin’ lose. I know it was from that experience that I gather my strength and courage to deep down into myself and explore each character I take on.
What do you feel made the production you were nominated for particularly successful, either overall or for you specifically?
Our wonderful director, Simon Levy. My experience with him and his process was the best experience I have ever had working in the theatre. Many directors are so quick to start blocking the play right away, well before you have any idea about anything. But Simon was so patient and thorough with laying down the groundwork and research before we even started to read the play in rehearsals. He was also extremely collaborative, encouraging and respectful of the play in honoring these incredible scientists to life.
What project or projects are you currently working on?
I am up for a few things so we shall see how they pan out…
What do you love most about theatre in Los Angeles?
That people actually go to the Theatre in Los Angeles!
What’s your dream project?
I’m working on it. Shhhhh…
Biography: THEATRE: Rosalind Franklin in PHOTOGRAPH 51 (Fountain Theatre, LA); Ismene in the Off-Broadway production of TOO MUCH MEMORY (NYTW Jonathan Larson Lab, NYC); Ginger in ROSEMARY WITH GINGER (Arclight Theatre, NYC); Nora in NORA: Ingmar Bergman adaptation of A Doll’s House (Pico Playhouse, LA); Mary in FINAL PLACEMENT (Attic Theatre, LA); Stella in GROSS POINTS staring opposite Alec Baldwin (Bay Street Theatre, Sag Harbor); Viola in TWELFTH NIGHT (Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Cleveland Ohio); Rosie in UNFINISHED MOON (American Theatre of Actors, NYC). TV: Deborah in Showtime pilot POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS (Dir. Tim Robbins) FILM: Housewife in MANURE starring Billy Bob Thornton (Dir. Michael Polish); Martha Freud in FREUD”S MAGIC POWDER (Dir. Edouard Getaz); Violet in THINGS BEHIND THE SUN (Dir. Allison Anders); Waitress in SUPER TROOPERS (Dir. Jay Chandrasekhar); Kasey in SPARKLE AND CHARM (Dir. Brent Bell); Miss McDonnell in EVERLAST staring opposite M.C. Gainey (Dir. Bryan Law); Cole in GAMBLIN’ (Dir. Wayne Orklin). Training: Harold Guskin, Lloyd Richards, Patsy Rodenburg, Kate Mare, Tim Phillips, summer session at RADA and currently with Larry Moss.
For a full list of Ovation nominees, or for information about the Ovation Awards Ceremony on January 11th, click here!
