In an exclusive interview, About Insider sat down with Canadian actress Rosie Roy to talk about acting and her latest theatre project “Generation X, Y, Z.”
HI ROSIE ROY, WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER! CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF?
Hi I’m Rosie Roy. I was born and raised in Quebec City, the most historically rich city in Canada steeped in over four centuries of cultural heritage. Growing up, I was immersed in the French-speaking community, a rarity in itself considering Quebec’s singular status as the sole province where French serves as the predominant mother tongue.
My upbringing was a blend of linguistic influences, as my mother (originally an anglophone from New Brunswick) and my father (a native francophone from the small town of Sainte-Claire) gifted me the beauty of a bilingualism sans accent.
However, my immersion in English-language media occurred due to my mother’s strict rule of exclusively watching English television. This resulted in a plethora of American shows and movies. As the youngest of four siblings, I oftentimes felt unseen, therefore I somehow found a means to entertain myself. This led me to my inclination towards performance surfacing early in life, from just dancing my little heart out at family weddings to jamming to the song of “Pump Up the Jam” in the living room. Fast forward to high school, I would get a kick out of watching Mad TV trying to imitate any character, especially my fav one of all, Stewart.
Though initially my heart yearned for performing in front of an audience, the path to acting was not within reach. In Quebec City, opportunities in the entertainment industry were scant with the exception of Celine Dion, leading me to pivot towards the world of dance. Naturally, I embarked on a journey into the world of dance at the age of 12. After high school, I studied at L’École de Danse de Québec where I trained in contemporary dance, immersing myself in the disciplines of ballet and Martha Graham technique over the course of four years, earning my diploma.
Through dance, I discovered the power of expression and a whole new me as an artist and human being. Yet, the allure of the stage remained ever-present, a persistent whisper beckoning me towards my true calling as an actor. This journey has now led me here to Los Angeles, where I find myself being interviewed.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR EARLY ACTING EXPERIENCES?
Oh, my goodness, would my imitations of South Park characters, Britney Spears, Mad TV sketches, and Miranda Sings in the hallways of my high school count? To be quite honest, I only truly began taking acting classes about three years ago. My first acting class was during the pandemic, therefore online. Even though it wasn’t in person, from day one, I was instantly hooked and just knew that I was in trouble (in a really good way). Most of my stage experiences arose through dance. Trust me, today I can see so many benefits from this.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR LEAD ROLE IN THE PLAY, “GENERATION X, Y, Z.” WHAT IS THE PLAY ABOUT?
This devised production emerged as a direct response to the #MeToo movement, diverging from the mainstream narrative prevalent in Hollywood and beyond. Championing female creators and feminism, a group of students from Cal State Long Beach Theatre department conceived “Generation XYZ.” Drawing from the voices of numerous women and gender-marginalized individuals, the play utilizes words, poems, prose, and dialogues to narrate the intergenerational stories of Sarah, Joanna, and Hero—a family spanning three different epochs from the late 1970s to the present day.
Through their journey, the characters grapple with the complexities of womanhood and generational dynamics amid diverse political climates. Directed by Bonnie Dolan and scripted by Carolina Xique, Daniela Naranjo, and Victoria Melkonyan, this production is a testament to the creative collaboration of the (un)defined arts collective. I encourage you to follow their work, as they courageously share narratives that reflect the truths essential in our world (and I quote) “from the stories of yesterday, today and tomorrow.”
WHO IS YOUR CHARACTER AND HOW ARE YOU SIMILAR TO THEM?
I portrayed 2 characters, one of Maria and Joanna.
The first Act I portrayed the role of Maria, a Catholic mother who tries to ignore her daughter’s truth of being a lesbian. Despite her initial resistance, Maria is forced to confront harsh realities when a family member dies of AIDS. In response, she forbids her daughter from seeing her friend Linda. This narrative unfolds in 1979.
Transitioning to the second act set in 2002, Joanna (nearly 22) becomes enamored with an older boy and falls in love. She gets engaged without her parents’ consent. As tensions rise between Joanna and her mother, events climax with a house party in her mother’s absence. Regrettable consequences occur when Marcus (the fiancé) ends up raping Joanna before leaving for military training.
The third act, set in 2023, explores the trans experience through Joanna’s evolution into motherhood and the support and acceptance of her transgender, non-binary lesbian daughter.
Accepting these roles proved to be quite a challenge, particularly considering it was my inaugural foray into theatre. Prior to this, I’d never ventured into the realm of stage production, so every aspect of the experience was entirely new to me. Immersing myself in the intricacies of character development, emotional depth, and subtle nuances only deepened my affection for acting. I found immense joy in portraying these diverse roles, each presenting its own unique set of circumstances. Interestingly, I discovered fragments of myself within every character, a testament to the universal human experience. It seems inevitable that as individuals, we find reflections of our own lives in the stories we tell.
However, I personally believe that when you portray characters too similar to oneself, it can somehow take away the element of “fun” from acting. Increasingly, I view acting as an expansive playground not knowing what’s going to happen next, but having fun with it and seeing where it takes you. Most of the time, undiscovered places feel like a roller coaster ride.
HOW DID THE ROLE COME ABOUT FOR YOU?
It was my first week back in LA from the holiday season in Canada. I promised myself that 2024 was going to be the year I started auditioning for theater roles. I wanted to put myself out there and see where it would take me. I also craved theater experience because I knew it would provide invaluable lessons as an actor. So, I applied for an audition, showed up, got a call back, and then one week later, I received the news that I had landed the lead role. I must have read my email five times thinking they’d made a mistake as this was only my second theater audition since returning. I’d been going to auditions with the mindset of gaining experience, but I definitely did not expect to book a role so quickly. That’s when you say BOOKED AND BLESSED!
CAN YOU SHARE ANY FUN BEHIND THE SCENES FROM THE SET?
I had the privilege of collaborating with an exceptionally talented ensemble of actors, directors, writers, and producers. Over time, we formed deeper personal connections, uncovering hidden talents amongst each other. For instance, our director wowed us with an impeccable imitation of Britney Spears, which left me quite envious. Additionally, one of the actors consistently had us in stitches with their spot-on impersonation of Jennifer Coolidge.
During the initial phases, we engaged in an exercise aimed at fostering intimacy and trust within our scene partner. Therefore, we had to share a secret that we had never told anyone before and whisper it in their ear. It was a powerful display of vulnerability and built a strong foundation of trust among us. Despite the initial apprehension, I found the experience incredibly rewarding.
WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR THE PLAY?
I wish this play could have had additional performances as I strongly believe in the message it conveys. Originally conceived through the voices and testimonies of students at the CSULB theatre department in dialogue with the #MeToo movement, this updated version continues to honor those narratives while also welcoming new perspectives.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
Currently, my focus is on the production of my inaugural short film slated for shooting in July. This project delves into the narrative of Brielle, a 39-year-old woman grappling with the aftermath of a profound breakup, seeking refuge in her parental home only to unearth long-concealed truths. Collaborating with a team of exceptionally talented women, I am deeply passionate about bringing this story to light, as it explores themes that are often overlooked or scarcely represented.
CAN YOU TELL US 3 FUN FACTS ABOUT YOU?
1. Many moons ago, I danced for Samantha Fox and choreographed some of the numbers for her tour in Quebec. She was such a delight to tour with and very respectful and professional.
2. I have my diploma in interior design. This was a period in my life when I knew I wasn’t always going to dance, so I went back to school to become an interior designer.
…That career didn’t last long.
3. I’m often mistaken for Aubrey Plaza, which is very flattering! Fun fact, we were both born the same year and are Cancerians … just not born the same day.
HOW CAN PEOPLE KEEP UP WITH YOU ONLINE?
It’s best to check out my IMDb and Instagram @rosie_roy
