FrontRow: You’ll be playing Miranda in DTC’s September performance of The Tempest. This will be a reprising of your first professional role. How has your work with the company and time at DTC changed your perception of Miranda?

Abbey Siegworth: I’ve always been in awe of Miranda.  She truly is a lovely character, one somehow untainted by the corruptions of society and yet incredibly worldly, grounded, and enlightened.  The combination of my time working at DTC while a student at SMU, and this past year as a company member, has been amazing.  To be challenged by, and continue to grow alongside the likes of this crew has been a very humbling and awe-inspiring experience.  I think that is something that is influencing Miranda this time around.  The first time I played Miranda, I was fresh out of undergrad (22 years old) and the world really was a “brave new” one.  I’m realizing that this is an experience one can have multiple times in ones life: to be amazed.

FR: Your boyfriend John is also an actor. What is the biggest struggle and the biggest benefit of being in a relationship where both partners are full time actors?

AS: The biggest struggles are inconsistency of income and time apart form each other.  The biggest benefit far outweighs these struggles.  To have such a deep passion for something, and to find someone else that has that same addiction, drive, curiosity — I can’t imagine a life without it.  I really admire couples with one half the actor and the other half accountant or doctor, or something. there’s an exceptional amount of empathy and understanding required from the supportive partner when it comes to things like our odd/long hours and eccentric friends!

FR: I read when you first came to Dallas you felt it lacked the feeling of community you had back home in Chicago. How has that feeling grown or changed over the years?

AS: Wow, honestly?  I think I was being a big baby.  When you move anywhere new, you have to find your way. Finding mine just took a while.  I reverse my prior opinion.  I have become completely charmed by Dallas at this point.  The people, the sense of ease and grace, the steadfast generosity from the likes of Mr. Charles Wyly, may he rest in peace.  I’ve never known nor can imagine an arts community like this one.

FR: What is the one thing you would refuse to sacrifice for a starring role in a Broadway show or a major motion film?

AS: Truth is: I’ve missed a best friend’s wedding, I missed my grandmother’s funeral, I’m still without children because this question is so hard to answer.  The only thing I can think of is this: I am not willing to lose my sense of self.  I will never be that person who grabs an hors d’oeuvre off a plate at a fancy party without looking the server in the eye and saying “hi” or “thank you”.  I can’t.  Should the stars align in my direction professionally, I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by a wealth of family and friends who keep me grounded.

FR: I’ve heard you’re a hippie chick at heart. What is your favorite and least favorite part about doing theater hair and make-up?

AS: Ha!  That’s so funny!  Yes.  I prefer to keep things simple that way.  But it is part of my job to do my own hair and makeup, and I’ve gotten better over the years.  My learning curve with makeup has been much better than with hair. I pray for wigs.

Here are some photos from rehearsal:

Photos by Maddie Grussendorf