10 on Tuesday with Sarah Lemp

NEW COUNTRY isn't just the title of the play that Broadway actress Sarah Lamp is appearing in at the Den Theatre. The show marks the acclaimed actress' Chicago debut, making the Windy City theater scene new territory for the New York actress.

1. Show you first auditioned for (and did you get the part)?The first show I auditioned for was a production of Richard III. I got it. I thought, this is great. I booked my first audition right out of school! Before the first week of rehearsal was complete, I had quit. Everyone, including the director, was insane.

2. Where Are You From? I'm a Kansas native by way of New York.

3. Currently Working On / Recently Closed? I'm currently working on the Chicago premier of a new play, NEW COUNTRY by Mark Roberts, running at The Den Theater until May 14th. I was lucky enough to be in the New York run of this show, and now the Chicago transfer. It's been an amazing experience to be able to work with great Chicago actors like Will Clinger, Frank Nall, Matthew Gall, and Colter Smith. And along with playwright and actor, Mark Roberts, this is a hilarious, razor-sharp group and it's a blast.

4. What's your dream role/production? When they turn "Cagney & Lacey" into a musical, I want to be Cagney.

5. Favorite post-performance haunt? My favorite post-production haunt is currently a toss up between my couch and my bathtub.

6. Living or dead, who would you drop everything to see perform? I wish I could have been around to see Jason Robards and Colleen Dewhurst doing O'Neill.

7. Who's your biggest inspiration? My biggest inspiration right now is my Grandfather. He's struggled with bypass surgeries, cancer, and a couple years ago he had a stroke. At the age of 93 he had to learn to walk and speak again. Now at 95 he's interested in getting out in his community, learning new things and staying positive. If I get to that age, I hope I can maintain that type of fortitude.

8. Describe the Chicago community in three words. This is my first time doing a show in Chicago, so I'm learning about the community as I go. But thus far I would describe it as: loyal, resourceful, and extremely passionate.

9. Fill in the blank: "If I could change one thing about theatre in Chicago, it would be ..... " If I could change one thing about Chicago theatre, it would be what I would change about theatre everywhere in the US, and that's getting actors a living wage.

10. Fill in the blank: "The thing I'd never change about theatre in Chicago is ....... " What I admire so much about the theatre scene here in Chicago is the level of talent of the actors. The ones I've met are not only great actors, but then are gifted writers or musicians or comedians. I have yet to meet a "one trick pony" here.

NEW COUNTRY runs through May 14 at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee. For more information or tickets, please call 1-800-838-3006 or visit www.NewCountryThePlay.com.