Heather Lindsay talks Fringe and being a Lesbian actor in Vancouver

While the show's content might not be queer, we did catch up with local Lesbian Heather Lindsay, who talks to us about her upcoming show, Biographies of the Dead and Dying, at this year's Vancouver Fringe Festival.

Tell us about your upcoming show, Biographies of the Dead and Dying, at the Vancouver Fringe Festival.

Biographies, is about Alice, an author, who is struggling to find meaning & existence in her life and career. With that in mind, she decides to seclude herself in a haunted house to write about the ghost that supposedly lives there and also to connect with her own haunted past. It’s darkly funny and intensely haunting.

The show is by Jessie nominated local playwright Andrew Templeton, what was that experience like? Is Andrew a hands-on playwright?

Andrew is an amazing playwright. His stories are richly full of people’s conflicts and struggles. As an actor, I can dive right in. He is a hands-on playwright. We were just in rehearsal and I kept fucking up these lines, and when I asked him what the fuck was the proper way to say that line, he was editing that line to the way I said it as he liked it better. So yes, I would say that’s very hands on. Also, on the flip side, when I am struggling through his lines in rehearsal, and he is probably dying a little death on the inside he sits patiently and supportively.  Thank god.

Tell us about the uber-cool “trailer” that was produced for the show – it comes across very much like a movie trailer – was that the intent?

This trailer rules and everyone did such a job on it. The intent is exactly like a movie trailer: to tease you, the audience, with hot bits of our story so you get excited, get a quick taste for what world you are going to enter when you come to the show.  Check it out and watch for part two of the trailer coming very soon.

Now, from what we understand the show doesn’t have any queer content, but you identify as a lesbian. Tell us what’s it like as a lesbian actor in Vancouver. We assume since you’re doing this interview you’re out – is being an out lesbian a hindrance to your career?

I don’t really think about being ‘a lesbian actor in Vancouver’ often. It’s great being an actor in Vancouver, and I continuously cross over between different communities with different voices. It is important for me to be a part of artistic projects that give the audience an exciting experience, and for all the voices in our city and country to be heard. Every project that I have worked on has a diverse ensemble that makes each project unique so I don’t necessarily think about me being a lesbian actor. I am a lesbian, I am an artist and I like to hang out with everyone. I’m a whore.

As far as I can tell, it’s not a hindrance being ‘out’ at all. It’s important to be honest with yourself as a person in order to be the most unique and interesting artist you can be. I hope that that is the foundation for my work; and therefore, no matter if I am working on a straight or queer project, I am fully open to the project, and can dive in, entertain people and learn a little as well on the way.

Nope. I have been in a handful of really beautiful shows between Vancouver and Toronto Fringes. I have also designed and ran the Vancouver Fringe Bar for the last two years.

Tell us a little about your background – where did you get started in acting? Is acting your full-time gig?

I was a competitive gymnast at a young age, which started the enjoyment and addiction of performing in front of an audience.  I went to SFU’s School for the Contemporary Arts and have been trying to have an artistic career from the moment I graduated. Presently, I am an actor, creator, an artistic producer in the indie theatre and TV world, a production manager and an auntie. Yes, this is my life.

I know our readers will want to know – single or attached?

Single. Does this mean I get dates out of this interview?!

What's next for Heather Lindsay?

I was selected into the National Screen Institutes “Totally Television Training Program”. It is a bootcamp for writer/producer teams to get their TV series broadcast. Also, beyond that, I have our Here Be Monsters Festival coming up in October, I am in development with Caravan Farm Theatre in Armstrong for the summer 2010 show Everyone, associate producing Club PuSh 2010. I also have two original performing projects in ongoing creation - one completely on rollerskates and one with an amazing drummer. But those, who knows when they will actually come to fruition. They are super cool though.

Biographies of the Dead and Dying
Vancouver International Fringe Festival
Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver

To cure herself of writer’s block, an author decides to rent a haunted house in a remote location. Her goal: to write the biography of a ghost. Instead of curing her of writer’s block, the author finds herself in an intense relationship with the missing and the dead. A haunting story with dark humour and twisted love, it is a spare exploration of the power we have to create and destroy.

Thursday, September 10: 9:00pm
Friday, September 11: 6:30pm
Satuday, September 12: 7:45pm
Sunday, September 13: 7:15pm
Monday, September 14: 9:00pm
Tuesday, September 15: 7:15pm
Friday, September 18: 10:30pm
Saturday, September 19: 7:00pm

Tickets: $10.00 (weekday) $12.00 (weekend); half-price opening 10 September. Tickets are available online from the Vancouver International Fringe Festival.