BWW Interviews: Megan Murphy Chambers, A Life in the Theatre

 

With a smile as big as the great outdoors - and with a heart to match - Megan Murphy Chambers is one of Nashville's most sought-after actors. She's also gaining acclaim as a details-oriented producer, making her a multi-hyphenate in the world of Nashville theatre. And, chances are, she knows all the words to "Tomorrow," in case some director is interested in some alternative casting.

Already this season, she's worked behind the scenes with GroundWorks Theatre on its productions of Fat Pig and The Conscientious Objector and she has more projects in the works for the rest of the year. Married to actor/producer Jack Chambers, theirs is certainly a theatrical household, and as a team they are indeed a force to be reckoned with.

But for right now, Megan Murphy Chambers finds herself in "hell," as she and her castmates in 3Ps Productions' upcoming Mixed Nuts prepare for opening night on Thursday, May 6, at Chaffin's Backstage at the Barn Theatre, running through May 29, with an 8 p.m. curtain Tuesday through Saturday evenings.

Amid rehearsals and work - and trying to maintain a centered personal life - Megan squeezed time in to answer our questions and to give us an insight into her own "Life in the Theatre." Read and enjoy...

What was your first taste of theatre? My mom is a big Broadway fan, and we had a lot of cast recordings and movie musical soundtracks around the house, so I was listening to theatre long before I ever saw it. I credit my obsession with the lady-belters to her - she had a LOT of Liza and Barbra in her collection, so I knew all the words to "Ring Them Bells" and "The Music That Makes Me Dance" as a kindergartner. The first show I remember seeing was a touring production of Cats. I recall enjoying it, but also being totally puzzled. Like, I'm eight years old and thinking "what the hell...?"

What was your first real job or responsibility in the theatre? My first paying gig was in college with the Missouri Summer Repertory Theatre. The money was just enough to survive on, but the mere fact that I was getting paid to perform blew my mind. It still blows my mind that I get paid to do what I love to do, and that people spend their hard-earned cash to watch me do it. It's truly amazing and I am truly grateful.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in theatre? I was one of those kids that wore out the Annie cast recording album, but it never occurred to me to even think about performing until much later. When I was in fourth grade, the local senior high's show choir came to our school and performed. I can vividly remember their rendition of "Copacabana" and knowing that I absolutely had to do that. So I guess I owe my inspiration to the Edmond North High School upperclassmen (go Huskies!). Not long after that, I saw the movie West Side Story and was beside myself - totally re-galvanized, totally inspired. I didn't start performing until a few years later, but as soon as I did, I knew I wouldn't quit until I stopped getting hired.

Why do you pursue your art in Nashville? What are the best parts of working here? On a really basic level, I just love living in Nashville, and the fact that the theatre community is so fantastic is icing on the cake. The people that perform, direct and produce in this town are doing it for the joy of it, and I dig that. I love that Nashville has this huge core group of people that support each other's projects and want everyone to thrive. I think our theatre community has its own set of challenges, but there are too many smart, talented, innovative, energetic people involved to let them get you down. Also, performing in Nashville led to the best thing that ever happened to me - I met my husband at the Boiler Room Theatre. He's amazing and I'm the luckiest girl in the whole U.S.A.

If you could play any role, direct any work, design any production, mount any production...what would it be and why? I would give my right arm to play Lucille Frank in Parade, and I can't wait to be old enough to play one of the sisters in August: Osage County. I would love to direct a big, crazy, slamming-doors, where-are-my-pants farce sometime - I love that stuff. Lastly, I would be thrilled to mount a production of Michael John LaChiusa's Hello Again. That show destroys me, and I think Nashville would flip for it. Very selfishly, I would love to remount GroundWorks' production of Blackbird. It is without question the show I'm most proud of, and hardly anyone saw it.

Who would play you in the film version of your life story? Billy Dee Williams, obviously.

What's your favorite play/musical? My favorite plays are Glengarry Glen Ross, The Odd Couple, The Pillowman and Angels in America. My favorite musicals are Funny Girl, How to Succeed in Business..., Hello Again, Urinetown and Parade. 

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? Liza Minelli, the Merm, and my all-time favorite director, Jim Miller. I would serve fried chicken, ice-cream sundaes and mojitos.

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? First and foremost, enjoy yourself. If you're not having fun onstage, you're doing it wrong. Second, don't underestimate how small the theatre world is - everyone works with everyone at one point or another, and if you screw the pooch with one company, I guarantee it will catch up with you down the road. Obviously, that works the other way, too - if you're a respectful, hardworking, fun person, your audition is halfway over. Third, know your type (unless you really enjoy banging your head against the wall). Last, soak it all in and learn learn learn. Even if the show is terrible and the only new things you learn are backstage dirty jokes, you're walking away from it richer. Oh, and really-last - don't do porn!

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