We had the good fortune of connecting with Margaret Curry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Margaret, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I would not have survived my childhood had it not been for the amazing people who had the courage to seek understanding of the world through their creations. Sounds dramatic, I know, but it’s true. Entering into the imaginary worlds created by writers and filmmakers, I found salvation. From the stories I read and watched, I was given life guidance, fun and a cure for my loneliness. They seeded and grew hope and inspiration in me. These creators seemed to understand me in a way that no one in my world could. In their works, I met both the self I was – The Underdog – the self I wanted to be – The Hero, The Star – reflected back to me. From this, I drew sustenance that fueled and influenced my desire to live fully and in technicolor at a time in my life where the world around me was way too and black and white. As a result, I’ve always felt a desire to be a part of creative works that do that for others. To help people find their way through life just a bit better or easier in some way through connecting and associating to the stories I create and am part of telling. I suppose on some level I am attempting to “pay it forward,” to give back what was so generously and freely given to me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My tagline is: “Lover of Humanity. Fan of the Underdog. Purveyor of Fine Ordinary Moments.” My entire life, I’ve had a ravenous curiosity about what makes people do what they do. As an actress and performer, I’ve always been hard to pin down. In my heart of hearts, I know that I’m really a character actor trapped in the body of the “attractive-enough-non-threatening-Midwest-clean-cut next-door-neighbor” type. I really understand and resonate with people whose lives appear very ordinary yet beneath the surface are carrying so much more. I have a quirky, sometimes dark or off-beat side lurking beneath my seemingly squeaky-clean surface. Through my own dichotomy, I’ve been led to create both great comedic and dramatic roles ranging from the foot-fetishizing, newly-self-proclaimed lesbian in Harry Kondoleon’s dark theatre comedy “The Houseguests,” to the sadistic, psychopathic hillbilly Auntie Dote in Joel Forrester’s dark satirical musical “Fascist Living” to the heartbreakingly tough-but-vulnerable waitress Johnny in Terrance McNally’s stage play “Frankie and Johnny in the Claire du Lune” to the lead role of Lily, a grief-stricken, guarded librarian in the independent film “Starfish,” written and directed by Shira Levin. I love my “double life” because it allows me to tell the stories I most want to tell. As a performer and as a director and writer, I seek to help to give voice to the people who’ve not been able to tell their story, either because they’ve been oppressed or overlooked. To shed light on inconvenient but crucial truths. To bring the elephant in the room out of the shadows and into the light so that understanding and potential movement can occur. I have a soft spot for the seemingly ordinary moments and people in life: the underdog; the unsung heroes; the quiet, small moments that can sometimes hold a lifetime. I love to dig deep. It’s my mission to collaborate deeply and bravely to create stories that inspire, educate, elicit, and evoke. To give voice to the voiceless and help the invisible to be seen. To wake people up so that they may embrace their lives to live life more fully and authentically. Or at the very least, start to ask new questions of themselves and seek to find new answers. 

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d suggest they stay either in Venice or DTLA (The Loft.) Spend a day cruising around downtown LA for the museums, buildings, eat in Koreatown, then head to Venice to check out the boardwalk scene for the late day/sunset and some drinks and dinner. Then spend a day or two in the Hollywood area: the sign, Griffith Observatory, Walk of Fame, Grauman’s, Rodeo Drive, the Farmer’s Market…all the top sites because I LOVE all that and so does my best friend. Eat at an In ‘n Out Burger. Then hit the beach again along Westside LA…Santa Monica, the Promenade. And definitely explore the Pacific Coast Highway…Malibu, Santa Barbara. Maybe find time for a hike somewhere along the way. They’d have to reach out to someone else for all the latest trends and hot spots. I would go along for the ride but that’s just not my thing. Although I would try to find us a really well-reviewed newer restaurant for one night. I love to discover talented chefs and new concepts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been gifted such an abundance of people who have helped me to be a person and an artist. I have no idea how to choose one or two to single out. Amazing teachers and mentors, past and present: the great filmmaker and teacher Jon Shear; acting teacher Tony Greco; director and teacher Kimberly Vaughn; singer and director Lina Koutrakos and Alba Technique teacher Patricia Angelin, to name just a few. Friends, fellow creators, family. The writers and creators of the books and films that got me through (and still do.) The creators who I admire for their work and their craft. Actually, there is one person coming to mind in this moment. (I could be asked this question a hundred times and find a new significant person to thank!) The Master singing teacher Andy Anselmo. I met him when I decided to sing again after a long period of not being able to. He believed in my talents early on in our realtionship swiftly becoming a major supporter and teacher, not only about singing, but of mindset. Though he is no longer teaching, he is a never-ending resource. I hear his voice and things he’s said to me so many times as I rehearse or work. He’s always there, just over my shoulder, when I need him.

Website: https://www.margaretcurry.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margaretacurry/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretcurry
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MargaretCurry
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheActressMargaretCurry
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/themargaretcurry

Image Credits
Joseph Moran: blue top and black and white headshots; Caroline White: red top on bench shots

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