BWW Interviews: Joy Tilley Perryman, A Life in the Theater

Joy Tilley Perryman always seems to be in motion, always busy and rushing from one theatrical venture to another and, somehow, she always has a smile on her face. But don't let that smile fool you: beneath that lovely, gentee and quintessentially Southern facade lies a mischievous soul...so keep your eyes open, there's no telling what's really going on behind that smile!

This week, she's shifted into high gear working on her one-woman show, Thus Spoke the Mockingbird, which debuts Friday, May 6, at Tennessee Women's Theatre Project's Women's Work 2011 festival of new works. Playing the role of Harper Lee, the somewhat reclusive author of To Kill a Mockingbird, Perryman takes on the character's mantle so easily that she seamlessly becomes the character. Working for practically every theater company in Nashville, you're likely to see her on other stages in the coming months, but for now her focus is definitely on ...The Mockingbird, as it were, in the one-woman show she hopes to tour to schools and community organizations throughout the region.

Somehow, she found time in her hectic schedule to answer our questions and to give us a glimpse into her "Life in the Theater." Read, enjoy and get to know Joy Tilley Perryman...you'll be glad you did...

What was your first taste of theater? The first time I saw a play I was in first grade and the Birmingham's Children's Theatre brought a touring production of Rumplestiltskin to my hometown of Gadsden, Alabama. My Daddy was one of the chaperones and when the play was over I refused to leave my seat. He literally had to pry my tiny fingers from the chair and bodily carry me out of the theatre. Prior to that, I had seen the mermaid show at Weeki Wachee on a trip to Florida. I came back to kindergarten and acted out all the parts during show and tell. I believe I had the whole class spellbound with my over the top portrayals of water beings. From that point on, the die was cast so to speak. A few years later I was asked to portray Lottie Moon (famous Southern Baptist missionary to China) in a church skit about her. Everyone else was reading their lines out of the book but I memorized all my words and showed up in a costume as well. The preacher remarked to my Mother later that she had better be careful she might have an actress on her hands. Mother was nonplussed, she had seen my mermaid show and she knew that Lottie Moon was a much better performance and a step in the right direction. She has always been my biggest fan. Lottie Moon died of starvation on her way home from China. They didn't tell me that back then or else it would have been a totally different performance

What was your first real job or responsibility in the theater? I was lucky enough to start out as an actor. Since then I have worked in box offices, been the props mistress, worked as a costumer and once John Chaffin even trusted me enough to work in the kitchen at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre. And of course knowing how to carry a tray has always been helpful in my acting career.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in theatre? I think I have always known from those early days of being a mermaid and a Southern Baptist Missionary. However, I pursued and received degrees in English as well. I thought I wanted to be a teacher for a brief and shining moment. I also wanted to be a professional roller skater and an oceanographer. I am sure there are more than a few of my former teachers who would be surprised to learn that I actually have some math skills and I am certified in Quickbooks. I guess I haven't really decided what I will be when I grow up.

Why do you pursue your art in Nashville? What are the best parts of working here? I pursue my art here in Nashville because well, I live here. My darling husband (Dean) is a native so we landed here after Ole Miss. I love it here! This town is so alive and vibrant with talent. One of the best parts of working here is that as cliched and hackneyed as it may sound, we all do seem to play well together. There are many theatre companies in this town and the theatre people support them all! If you are so inclined you can see live Theatre Three nights a week. One of the worst parts of working here is that so many productions have low attendance and it makes me so sad. A few weeks ago I saw A Perfect Ganesh produced by Rhubarb theatre Company. It was a delightful show with one of the most gorgeous sets I have seen in a while and I was one of five people in the audience. That is just sad. Go see live theatre people!

If you could play any role, direct any work, design any production, mount any production...what would it be and why? If I could play any role I would be hard pressed to choose between Sissy in Sordid Lives and Blanche in Streetcar. Two totally different women, but both some comic and tragic. Now, if suddenly you gave me the ability to sing, move over Carol, I'm playing Dolly! I am dying to do Sordid Lives here. I have been thinking about for five years now, I need to get off my arse and do it already!

Who would play you in the film version of your life story? Now, the popular answer is going to be Rikki Lake because people think I look like her, but I would totally want Melissa McCarthy (Sookie on Gilmore Girls, Molly on Mike and Molly) to play me. I was called to Atlanta to audition for Mike and Molly and had I known that I was actually auditioning for a role that Melissa McCarthy was being considered for I would have gotten so nervous I would have puked. I love her! Seriously!

What's your favorite play/musical? My favorite play is Our Town but there is no reason to make people sit through that again. I'll just read it and subject my acting students to it from time to time. Big River is my favorite musical of all time! I could see that a million times and still never get enough.

If you could have dinner with any three figures (living or dead, real or fictional) who are a part of the THEATRE, who would you choose and why? Only three? Wow, well I suppose Moss Hart because he would have great stories about the "golden age" and he was married to Kitty Carlisle and she was mine and my Granny's favorite on To Tell the Truth. Then I think Thorton Wilder, because I want to see if what I have been saying and teaching about Our Town is anywhere near the mark. And lastly, Alan Cummin because I love him and without him I have set a very depressing table with two dead men. Look, I just surrounded myself with males, hmmmm...

Imagine a young person seeing you onstage or seeing a production in which you played a major role coming up to you and asking you for advice in pursuing their own theatrical dream...what would you say? I would tell them to follow their heart, but to remember that sometimes performing is not about being famous or even having the lead. It is about creating and bringing your heart and soul to your craft. This business is not for the faint of heart. It can be brutal to be told time and time again, NO. You are too tall or too thin or too round or too something and not enough another thing. But when it clicks and it all comes together it is breathtaking. Those moments are rare. But they make all the work and rejection seem like nothing. Those are the moments I strive for. Theatre is not like film, there are no second takes and even in this digital age there is no complete and true record of a live stage performance. So you have to hold it all in your heart and your soul. I would also be practical and tell them to start a savings account right now

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