Interviews
Check next month for more interview articles.
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Alumni Achievements: An Interview with Ali
By Chelsye P. Ginn: Staff Writer: April 2008
Ali Delianides, a recent graduate of Florida State, discusses her success in the theatre industry that followed her graduation from the School of Theatre. In this interview, she recalls some of her dramatic experiences and gives advice to students who wish to pursue a career in the theatre industry. 
A few students from the SOT visit Ali
Photo provided by Ali Delianides
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DR: Where is your hometown?
AD: My hometown was Indianapolis, Indiana originally, but I have basically lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida my whole life.
DR: How long have you been interested in theatre?
AD: I have been interested in theatre since the age of five. That was when I was in my first play.
DR: What was your first play?
AD: I can’t remember the name… something about fish. I did community theatre from kindergarten until fifth grade. After that, I did stuff with my middle school and high school as well as taking theatre classes. DR: What experiences have you had in the theatre world prior to your graduation last year? |
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AD: I have had many experiences in theatre. I have been acting since I was five, so there have been a lot. Some of my favorite experiences from middle school were playing Grandma in Lost in Yonkers and Veta Louise Simmons in Harvey. I loved playing Queen Aggravain in my high school’s production of Once upon a Mattress. In college, my favorite part was Audrey in As You Like It. I have also directed, stage-managed, and sound-designed a few shows as well. Directing is my second passion.
The Old Yeller Cast
Photo provided by Ali Delianides
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Classical Acting in London: An Interview with Nick Ciavarella
By Katerina Gawlak: Asst. Features Editor: April 2008
In this interview Nick Ciavarella discusses his life after FSU. He imparts his views on life in London as well as what he wants God to say when he reaches Heaven’s gates. This isn’t any ordinary interview. So, sit back and relax as Nick takes you on the ride that is his life after FSU’s SOT.
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TDR: What have you been up to since graduation from the FSU SOT?
NC: Last March I flew up to NYC to audition for the Classical Acting MA program at Central School of Speech and Drama in London and ended up getting in and that's what I've been doing ever since.
The program ends in July, at which point I'll either stay in London for a bit longer or move to NYC, depending on whether or not I get an agent from a showcase we have in May.
TDR: Can you tell me a little bit more about the program you're in and what you've gotten out of it so far?
NC: I'm in the Classical Acting program, so I've been primarily studying Shakespeare the whole time. I love London and the school has been amazing. Getting used to the British |
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lifestyle has proven itself to be a challenge, but I'm getting the hang of it.
TDR: What advice would you give students after graduation?
NC: I don't feel like I've been out of FSU long enough to have any right to be giving people advice. Not only that, but I'm still in school and have yet to really experience the "real world." So I suppose the only advice I can give is when you get out of school, go back to school, and just stay there until you die. That way you never actually have to face reality, and you can keep putting off life and taking out loans to pay for it and opening new credit cards. By the time you die, you can just pass all your debt to your children. But here's the kicker... don't have children and the millions of dollars you've racked up in debt will just disappear. Right?
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An Email Conversation with Cara Peterson
By Mari Stonebraker: Asst. News Editor: April 2008
It has been nearly a year now since The Dressing Room’s own Cara Peterson spread her wings and flew into the gaping hell-mouth of life. She survived. What is more, she actually flourished. Cara has been spending her time growing artistically and personally through her work with Florida Stage. Fortunately for us, Cara had some time to spare for an e-mail interview in which she describes her journey and gives us advice for making our own time after graduation as productive and respectable as her own. |
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Cara Peterson
TDR: How did you get involved with Florida Stage?
CP: By accident! I decided I wanted to go to graduate school for theatre management and pursue a career in arts administration. David Rowell advised |
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that I look into an admin internship with a theatre. After searching the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) website, I came across the Asolo Repertory Theatre which had everything I was looking for. However, I felt I should look at another theatre just to keep my options open—that theatre happened to be Florida Stage. I was immediately drawn to its mission of producing exclusively new works that examined the human experience through the creative use of language. With David’s help, I polished my résumé, composed a cover letter, practiced for phone and roundtable interviews, and ended up getting offers from both theatres.
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Living Life in LA: Carolyn Cannon
By Sindy Castro: Ass. Reviews Editor: April 2008
Carolyn Cannon graduated from Florida State in Spring 2007. She has relocated to Los Angeles, which is where many students wish to pursue a film career. She has been able to successfully acquire a career in L.A., landing some commercial and T.V. work. In this interview, she expands on her experiences in L.A., both the good and the bad.
Carolyn Cannon
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DR: It’s been almost a year since you graduated from Florida State. Looking back on your experience here is there something you wish you would have taken advantage of or something that you feel students should take away from their experience at FSU?
CC: My advice: Have fun, be young, don't stress. This is the one time you are on your own without too much responsibility, without all the bills. You still have your parents’ financial support and you have time to work. So work and play. Save money for after you graduate... you will need it!
DR: You chose to move to Los Angeles; was there a particular reason for that? Was the transition difficult?
CC: I moved to L.A. to pursue my career in acting, particularly in film. The transition for me was surprisingly easy. I had a family that supported my move and friends/alumni out here that |
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were ready and eager to help me get my life started on the West coast. I was meant to be here. L.A. is very expensive and you will need your time to really focus on acting, not working every second of the day waiting tables or bringing drinks. Make the money now, while you have the time, so when you come out here you can really hit the streets pursuing your acting career. You would be surprised how much working my butt off at Pizza Hut on Tennessee Street has paid off for me since I've been out here. Without that initial savings, the expenses would have been overwhelming.
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