Meet the Actor: A Theatre33 Interview with Ghislaine Robert

Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Montreal, QC, Canada. I am a sports medicine physician. I have always been interested in theater, participating in many productions before moving to USA. I found the Seagulls (French theater troupe) when I moved in the pacific NW and joined them in 2019. Acters shave left and come and we decided to create a new group : EN:CORE. We are doing our productions at Theater 33 and we have a close connection to them . We do all our rehearsals there and they are extremely supportive.

What is your earliest memory of wanting to be an actor?

I was 5 or 6 years old and was always organizing plays my several cousins during family reunions. I guess it was my first experience as and actress and director 😉

Which actor—past or present—do you most admire, and why?

Female : Meryl Streep. She is extremely versatile and credible in any genre (drama, comedy, biography…)

Male: Dustin Hoffman (his performance in Rain Man threw myself on the ground.

What’s the most challenging role you’ve played, and what did you learn from it?

What’s the most challenging role you’ve played, and what did you learn from it?:

I played multiple characters in Cyrano the Bergerac, my first ever English production , written in Old English. I learned that I am capable to perform in the Shakespeare tongue.

How do you approach developing a character?

I try to stay myself as much as possible. Being instead of pretending.

What’s your process for preparing for a role, from first read to opening night?

First, you need to know your lines of course. I also like to practice in front of a mirror to see how I can produce different expressions. Then rehearse, rehearse , rehearse. Get feedback back from the director and be open to constructive criticism.

Do you have any pre-show rituals or superstitions?

I like to say “MERDE” with the other actors before the curtain opens.

How do you handle stage nerves or performance anxiety?

Deep abdominal breathing.

How do you memorize lines and stay in character throughout a performance?

I try to stay present, listen to the other actors and it helps if I know their lines too.

Have you ever had a major on-stage mishap? How did you recover?

Have you ever had a major on-stage mishap? How did you recover?:

It has not really happened yet for me (🤞) but I had to recover after other actors missed their lines. I try to stay calm, be creative and bring them back where the play is supposed to go.

What’s the most unforgettable moment you’ve experienced on stage?

Last show of a play: mix of accomplishment and sadness. It is very emotional!

What’s a dream role you’d love to play one day?

Any character in a French play from Molière or Comedia del Arte.

What’s the biggest lesson theatre has taught you?

We are a team: everyone is important , small or big character.

How do you balance rehearsals, performances, and the rest of your life?

I make sure I have time to sleep well, eat well, exercise and spend time with my family. They know my love for theater and they are very supportive when it gets very busy (ex, the week before the Premiere).

What advice would you give to someone new to acting?

Be open to learn from others, make sure you know your lines and be kind to each other.