BWW Interviews: SONDRA MORTON Tackles The Friday Five

Inspired by BroadwayWorld.com's Friday Six, welcome to Nashville.BroadwayWorld.com's latest installment of The Friday Five: five questions designed to help you learn more about the talented people you'll find on stages in the Volunteer State.

Today's spotlight falls upon Sondra Morton, who heads up the ACT Too Players-a fertile training ground for up-and-coming actors in the region-and she's operations manager of Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre, a typically harried and busy mom, a critically acclaimed actress and director, and a friend, confidante and supporter of just about everyone she brushes up against. In short, Sondra's just the best and today, you're given the opportunity to learn more about what makes her tick, so to speak, onstage. Read and enjoy…

What was your first "live onstage" taste of theater? Well, in Third Grade, I Starred in a double role in The Trials of Tillie the Tooth. Needless to say, the principal's daughter was going to get the lead. I was cast originally as "Evil Alice Acid" complete with a dark green cape. Well, three days before opening...the principal's daughter didn't have all her lines memorized...so I was double cast as the "Clean Tooth." I got to keep both parts…

What is your favorite pre-show ritual? My pre-show ritual changes according to the show... but what is consistent... pre-show gas... so I guess farting.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? On a serious note, on opening night of Lucky Stiff at the BRT (the second time), one of my best friends was killed by a drunk driver. I spent the day comforting his wife and loving on their sweet seven-month-old baby boy. I got to the theatre before the show and collapsed in director Corbin Green's arms, and cried," I don't know how I am supposed to do this!" Lovingly, Jamey Green put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Today, we separate ourselves from the amateurs and understand what it means to be a professional!" And the show went on, dedicated to my friend. So, for anyone who ever walks into the BRT and wonders who the picture of the singer is on the wall in the Backstage restroom... Buck Jones... my Theatre Muse. 

What's your dream role? Dream Role would be Mdm. Thenardier!

Who's your theatrical crush? Hugh Jackman-in anything!

Jeffrey Ellis is a Nashville-based writer, editor and critic, who's been covering the performing arts in Tennessee for more than 25 years. He is the recipient of the Tennessee Theatre Association's Distinguished Service Award for his coverage of theatre in the Volunteer State and was the founding editor/publisher of Stages, the Tennessee Onstage Monthly. He is a past fellow of the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center and is the founder/executive producer of The First Night Honors, held during Labor Day Weekend, which honor oustanding theater artists in Tennessee in recognition of their lifetime achievements and includes The First Night Star Awards and the Most Promising Actors. Midwinter's First Night, held the first Sunday in January after New Year's Day, honors outstanding productions and performances throughout the state. Further, Ellis directed the Nashville premiere of La Cage Aux Folles, The Last Night of Ballyhoo and An American Daughter, as well as award-winning productions of Damn Yankees, Company, Gypsy and The Rocky Horror Show, with Ellis honored by The Tennessean as best director of a musical for both Company and Rocky Horror.

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