Enjoy our November Q&A with BCT Alum, Elizabeth Yoffe!
LEFT: Elizabeth as “Heidi” in BCT’s production of Heidi.
RIGHT: Elizabeth now!
BCT: What was your first show at BCT?
Elizabeth: My first show was Heidi. I had been taking classes at BCT for a few years and my sister Emily had been at BCT before me. Ever since I saw her in the BCT plays I’d wanted to be in one too. I was ten years old when I was cast as Heidi and it was a thrill to be given the lead role.
BCT: What was your favorite role at BCT?
Elizabeth: My favorite role was The Princess in Aladdin. I’d been in a lot of shows by then and loved every one of them but it was fun to be The Princess and I really liked playing opposite John Weltman – who was Aladdin. Actually, that was my last show at BCT so it was a good one to end on.
BCT: What other roles did you play at BCT?
Elizabeth: I was a Sowerby Kid in “The Secret Garden”, Snick – a dwarf in “Snow White”, A Gingerbread Child in “Hansel and Gretel”, The fairy Belita in “Sleeping Beauty”, Amy Lawrence in “Tom Sawyer”, Lady-In -Waiting in “The Red Shoes” “and Rychie Korbes in “Hans Brinker”.
BCT: Was there a person – staff member or fellow performer – who you remember in particular?
Elizabeth: There were a lot of people who made an impression on me - both fellow performers and staff. But if I had to pick one person it would be Executive Director George Roland. He was a wonderful, kind, creative man who really was a father figure to me. I always wanted to do my best for him – he brought that out in a lot of kids. I loved working in any of the shows he directed. He had a wonderful way of getting us to stay focused, instilling a sense of inner discipline and letting us have fun all at the same time. He was a terrific mentor.
BCT: What is your favorite BCT memory?
Elizabeth: It was magical to be at BCT. The whole ritual of it was unforgettable: auditioning, rehearsing, getting fitted with a costume, getting into make-up, dress rehearsal, the shows themselves, the closing night party. It was all memorable. Sometimes I still have dreams that I’m backstage, in a dressing room or in a show. It’s all part of who I am. Perhaps most of all I remember the camaraderie – the feeling of working towards something with a group of people who all share the same goal. Even at a young age I appreciated how special that was.
BCT: What are you up to now?
Elizabeth: For the last decade or so I’ve been an independent documentary and media producer – my company is True Studio Media. My most recent documentary project is “My Big Break” (mybigbreakmovie.com)- which won Best Documentary at The Boston Film Festival. It was filmed over ten years and tells the story of five roommates in Hollywood as they pursue their dreams of making it in the film business. It’s a very intense, raw, truthful look at what it’s like to be in that business and what happens when you actually get your break. One of the reasons I’m so glad to be part of this film is because I see it as a teaching tool that can help anyone interested in being an actor understand the challenges they’ll face – and therefore be more prepared when they get their break! My company has a lot of projects in development and we do a wide-range of multimedia work with businesses, organizations and institutions as well.
BCT: What message would you like to share with BCTers?
Elizabeth: I’d like to share this thought with the current students of BCT. The theater experiences you have at BCT now will shape you forever. If you choose to pursue acting as a profession you’ll have a solid foundation to build upon – you’ll know how to stay grounded and disciplined in the face of the the obstacles inherent in that business. Believe me, that is absolutely invaluable. Before I was a producer, I worked as a casting director and I can tell you from experience that the actors who were trained in theater always had an advantage in terms of staying power and skill over those who didn’t. For those of you who will go on to other professions, there’s nothing like theater to teach you how to be confident, think on your feet, work creatively and effectively with others, present yourself well, and be comfortable speaking in public. These are unbeatable skills. I think every young person can benefit from the kind of learning experience you are getting at BCT.
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