An Interview with Brooke Smith

Her first major role was that of Catherine Martin in "The Silence of the Lambs," and Brooke Smith has since accumulated dozens of film, television, and stage credits. Other feature film work includes Curtis Hanson's film "In Her Shoes," Woody Allen's "Melinda and Melinda," Daniel Minahan's "Series 7," and Joel Schumacher's "Bad Company." She was honored with an IFP Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Louis Malle's "Vanya on 42nd Street."

On television, Smith had a recurring role on "Six Feet Under." She also appeared on "Law & Order," and was most recently seen playing Dr. Erica Hahn in the season finale of "Grey's Anatomy."

Smith is currently starring in Neil LaBute's Some Girl(s) opposite Fran Drescher, Eric McCormack, Judy Reyes, and Maura Tierney. During rehearsals, Smith and I spoke about this production, in which she is reunited with director Jo Bonney, with whom she worked with on Stop Kiss at The Public Theatre.

Nick Orlando: Brooke, it is a pleasure speaking to you. How are rehearsals going?

Brooke Smith: They are going well! I just found out last night that we are not working today or tomorrow and that's a little frustrating because I feel like we just started to get going. I sort of don't know what to do with myself when I am not rehearsing, but they are going well - really well!

Nick Orlando: What attracted you to this production?

Brooke Smith: I have to be honest and say the first thing that attracted me was as a lifesaving device because I felt that if I didn't do a play soon, I don't know. I kind of forgot what acting was.

Nick Orlando: Why?

Brooke Smith: Because I was in LA - there is nothing against LA - but I was sort of doing some work that wasn't very satisfying and it wasn't paying me well either. I was just getting frustrated. I was missing something with some substance. Everyone close to me was telling me the same thing, 'You need to do a play.' First, I fled to Mexico, and then by the time I got back, there was an email saying that they offered me the play. So, I basically hardly read it, and said 'Yes!' I was just dying to come home and do a play. I have always wanted to work with Neil [LaBute].

Nick Orlando: Your character, Sam, is a Seattle housewife. How do you relate to Sam?  What do you like about her?

Brooke Smith:  Wow! I never think of her as a housewife. She does live in Seattle. What I like about her is that she sort of has this innocence about her. She is very open and honest. There is something very pure about her that I like. I think she feels like people are supposed to be a certain way, mean what they say, and do what they say they are going to do. That's not always how things go.

Nick Orlando: Brooke, you are working with an all-star cast.  How is the chemistry?

Brooke Smith: I have no scenes with the women, which is kind of a bummer. The chemistry with Eric [McCormack], I think, is good. It's working for me! It seems to be really good. I believe us as first boyfriend and girlfriend. I really like working with Eric a lot. He is really good at some things that I can't even begin to do, like physical comedy. He has an innate awareness of it. It's second nature to him, I think. I really don't have that. I'm just having a great time with him. I wish I was at rehearsals right now!

Nick Orlando: What was your most embarrassing moment?

Brooke Smith: I'm thinking…Well, not onstage. The one I thought of is that I worked with Toni Collette not that long ago and I, twice, called her by my characters name, which I was completely embarrassed and mortified by. I was completely mortified, especially to do it twice!

Nick Orlando: Now, you are going to be in the season finale of "Grey's Anatomy," how did that come about?

Brooke Smith: I went to Mexico, I came back, I got the play, said 'Yes.' After that, they called. They basically just called saying that there was this great part and wanted me to go in to talk with them. I did! They are very secretive. I pretty much got up to leave and asked who I would be playing because I had no idea. They told me, and I cannot say! I had to juggle a little bit with the play, but not much. Everybody worked it out. It was great! I got to work with some great theatre people, too. Sandra Oh (of course, we didn't work together though) and Chandra Wilson. It was actually my favorite television experience that I ever had, so I hope it continues.

Nick Orlando: Brooke, were you always a fan of the show?

Brooke Smith: You know, I don't watch television! Sorry! I actually don't even have a television. I don't, I really don't. It's nuts, but it's true. Maybe it's because I have a three-year-old daughter. Although, [I do watch] when I stay in people's places. I was staying in a friend's house in LA and he has everything – Direct TV, Tivo. I do enjoy "Grey's Anatomy," though. It seems to be pretty good.

Nick Orlando: Why has this been your favorite experience?

Brooke Smith: The writing was so good and I had a lot to do. I was working with really good actors.  I got to witness, in real life, a heart surgery! So, that was life altering. I never worked in a hospital in any way.  Those kinds of technical challenges were great. Then to have on top of it, this great writing; it was nice; it was challenging.

Nick Orlando: What have been your major influences?

Brooke Smith: I remember seeing "A Moon for the Misbegotten" with Colleen Dewhurst and that made a really big impression on me and I remember wanting to be like her and I still want to be like Colleen Dewhurst! My mom took me to a lot of theatre growing up and I also remember seeing Pippin and being like, "Wow!" I get all excited. I feel like I am going to cry when I am in the audience and the lights go down! All kinds of different things influence me all the time now. My child has changed things for me. Lately, I really wish there were greater roles for women. I think I see it in a different way now. I look at my little girl and I don't want her to think that all she has to be is pretty and quiet.

Nick Orlando: How difficult was it for you to gain weight for your role as Catharine Martin in "The Silence of the Lambs"?

Brooke Smith: It was pretty difficult back then because I had just lost a lot of weight when I got that part. It was definitely in my contract that I had to gain all this weight. It's not something I recommend because it's hard enough [to lose weight]. I feel like I am always battling to keep my weight down. It wasn't very good for me to gain a lot of weight. Then I went a little nuts trying to lose it because I felt that, since I am an actress, I am supposed to be thin, which I am still trying to get over!

Nick Orlando: What can fans look forward to?

Brooke Smith: I also did a little part in Mira Nair's movie "The Namesake." I have a really good feeling about it. I think it's coming out in the fall. Also, I have been working with Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn on "The Master Builder."  Believe it or not, we are in our seventh year of rehearsal. I know it sounds crazy. I think we are filming it. That's the latest I've heard. I don't know what else happens next. I optioned a book which I am trying to get made into a film. I'd certainly love to do more plays.

Written by Neil LaBute and directed by Jo Bonney, Some Girl(s) is set to open on Thursday, June 8th, 2006 and this strictly limited engagement will run through July 8th. Some Girl(s) is playing the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street). Tickets are available through TicketCentral.com or by calling 212-479-4200. For more information, please visit www.MCCTheater.org.