Photo by M. Lavigne Photography

Debra Altschiller

Q – How long have you been involved in theater?

I have begun to wade back into the theatre waters in the past couple years after having been a back stage mom for twenty years. I have been in and around performance venues for more than years than would seem mathematically possible.

Q – What are some of your favorite recent productions?

I am as enthusiastic audience member as I am performer, musical theatre is my favorite, I’ll never turn down a chance to see RENT, Avenue Q or Fiddler On The Roof…ever.

Q – Have you performed in the Vagina Monologues before?

Hell to the Yeah! I jumped back on stage and WAY out of my comfort zone by being part of the sextet last year. What started as a mildly uncomfortable experience evolved into one of the coolest happenings of the year for me. Being a part of the show I had been attending as an audience member for six years was so incredibly cool.

Q – What made you want to be involved in V-Day this year?

Being a cast member for V-Day is a humbling responsibility that I take very seriously in the most fun way possible. There are so many survivors of sexual violence who have not yet found their voice, some never will. If we can speak and tell these stories, we must, it’s our moral obligation as humans to bear witness and speak out.
Also, Joi is very persuasive, she makes you think you just had the greatest idea and that you are the only one who could possibly execute it….meanwhile it was always part of her master plan….

Q – Who is the most influential woman in your life?

Marina Altschiller is the most influential woman in my life and she’s practically brand new at the being a woman thing. Marina is brave, not fearless but brave, there is a difference. Brave requires courage. She is a super talented singer and director. She founded Dive In Productions while rocking the Emerson College Deans list and working two jobs. She has a genuinely optimistic outlook on life which is hard to maintain, the world really NEEDS people like her. If you’ve met her you feel good knowing her and that is a gift.

Q – What or who inspires you?

For me, inspiration mostly comes from people. Howard Altschiller inspires me to try harder and be better at what I do. Marina inspires me to keep a positive outlook, Connell inspires my humor, Brady inspires me to slow my roll and enjoy more. Betsy inspires my compassion and Joi inspires my sense of adventure. Bacon can be pretty inspirational though…bacon and cheese, THAT is an inspirational combination.

Get your Tickets For V-Day Portsmouth 2015 The Vagina Monologues at The Music Hall now!

Photo by M. Lavigne Photography