Star Spotlight: Maggie Lacey

Star Profile:

Name: Maggie Lacey
Character: "Blackie"
Show: The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore

Q&A:

Q: Where are you from?

A: Cleveland Heights, Ohio–though we moved around a bit when I was a kid. One of my favorite homes was in Clarksville, TN when I was 5 and I won the talent show with a partially off-key, out of tempo version of "Chattanooga Choo Choo".

Q: When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

A: Maybe during "Chattanooga Choo Choo". But probably during the Dairy Queen chocolate-dipped cone my parents got me to celebrate.

Q: What's it been like working with legendary actors such as Paul Newman in Our Town, and currently Olympia Dukakis? Ever intimidated?

A: For sure. But I learned after being a little shy around such greats, that they don't want you to be–I have had the great fortune to work with famous actors who really care about the craft and the process so they want my participation. Which is an amazing quality given the body of work.

Q: Describe one of your favorite moments in The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore.

A: Olympia's dance. Finding new things each night with Olympia in that first scene especially–we both like to work that way. And listening backstage to Darren and Olympia perform the very end of the play. Sorry, that's three favorites.

Q: What do you like to do when you're not working?

A: Go to Joe's coffee shop with my friend Danielle and visit my family and go out to dinner with my guy.

Q: If you weren't an actor, what do you think you'd be?

A: I always used to say an interior decorator because we loved my grandmother's interior decorator's clothes. Now I want to say a nurse because they help so many people, but I would really suffer through chemistry class!

Q: What's your favorite spot in NYC?

A: The promenade along the Hudson below 14th street.

Q: Any advice for aspiring performers?

A: One of my favorite lines from the Orphan's Home Cycle: "I don't give advice." But I think its probably good to be interested in things, expand yourself, and when you are acting, try to focus on the imaginary circumstances and not yourself.

You can see Maggie in The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore now through April 3 at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre.