-Ezra

Q:As many know, you got your big break at age 11 when you got an audition for a school play based on writing a letter to a theater director. Do you believe that your success from this letter is due to the faith you had in yourself and the risk you took, or do you take the traditional approach; that you would have gained your sucess with or without the letter?

Julia: Actually, the way I got started working in theater in NYC was that I wrote the letter to a professional theater company in New York, I don't think the schools plays would have helped me that much (beyond the actual experience of doing the play). And yes, I was eleven. I think I might not have been as willing to take that risk if I had been older than eleven because once you get into adolescence, that self conscious voice starts to prevent you from doing things out of fear of embarrassment. So I had the guts/confidence becasue I was eleven and still relatively a child. I definitely think that writing that letter asking to audition for the company contributed greatly to my succes becasue it got me started. Not to mention how much I learned from my experience with the company (Ridge Theater, in case you care, and they still perform in New York and Boston and Europe).

Q:As it is very well known, everyone has an opinion, and the opinions of film critics, magazine writers, and newspaper writers may say some negative things about your performance in a certain film. Do you ever respond to any of these criticisms, or even care?

Julia:I've been lucky so far in terms of criticism from the press. That's easy because I am pretty much a rookie (even though I am very experienced, few of my movies have been released yet). Ani DiFranco (my favorite musician) has a line in one of her songs, "it's cool to discover someone, it's hard to support them and everyone is playing life like it is some stupid sport". I think that applies here. It's inevitable that I will get bad criticism, everyone does. It may be legitimate, costructive criticism. Or it may be just hurtful garbage. This next year I have something like four or maybe five movies coming out and I am terrified that people will want to rip into me. But I have to remember to detach myself from the person they are talking about because they don't know me. And who know what kind of agenda the journalist has. It's also possible that I could learn something from them that I can use the next time I go to work. Who knows.

Q:What made you realize that you wanted to be an actress? Any strong influences? Do you wish to work with any of these performers in the future?

Julia:Acting has always been something that intrigued me. But what appealed to me about being an actress when I was a kid and what is great to me about it now are different. When I was a kid, I didn't really know anything about preofessional acting, all I knew was that it was fun to get dressed up and put on funny voices and pretend to be a different person. That is still the best part of it for me now, but I put more thought into it. I like analyzing human behavior. I like to sit on the subway and just watch people interact. I also like being a part of a story being told to the country (or world?). A film that has something to say, not in a preachy way but in a way that makes an audience member feel connected to, so that when they are watching my work they get that momentary feeling of calm because somebody else has had the same experience. In terms of influences, Audrey Meadows hwo played Alice Kramden on "The Honeymooners" had an impact on me as a child. She was the first female character on Television to talk back to her husband. And Jackie Gleason (Ralph, her husband) and Art Carney (Norton, their neighbor) were comedic geniuses. Unfortunately, the only living cast member is Art Carney. But I am sure I said this somewhere else before, a performer who has had a profound impact on my life and sanity most recently is Her Majesty, Ms. Ani DiFranco. I just can't get over how talented she is. She is such a good musician and poet. Listening to her music is therapy for me and sure I'd love to meet her. I fantasize that one day I'll make my own film and she'll do the soundtrack.

Q:What are your thoughts on web sites dedicated to you? What is your take on the internet? What do you look for on "the net" and do you ever hang around those infamous chatrooms?

Julia:The internet is an amazing tool. I think it's great if used well, like any piece of technology. So much information! I just hope it doesn't make tangible books or museums, toy stores etc. obsolete (I don't think it will). It's flattering that someone like Jason and Ezra would make a website about me. I feel a little odd looking at it though, like that is vain or something. I don't really talk in chat rooms but I get newletters from different organizations online, email that kind of stuff.

Q:Out of all the work you have done in film, television and stage, which experience has stood out your favorite?

Julia:I've been lucky to have a lot of great experiences. And they've all been good for different reasons. The most perfect one I'd have to say was when I did Wicked. I was fifteen, the part was to die for, the director was a genius and a wonderful man. But then again, Ten Things" was great becasue it was a fun comedy and I made such good friends. "Hamlet" was so exciting and occupied every corner of my brain. "State and Main" was wonderful because I got to work with David Mamet (one of my favorite writers and an acting mentor) not to mention the great cast... I could go on but then you guys would stop reading.

These answers are 100% Y2K compliant. One more time, thanks Julia. You rule babe.

-Ezra