Actress Emily Skinner chatted about starring in the Off-Broadway play “Pen Pals,” where she is portrays Mags opposite Donna Lynne Champlin.
On being a part of “Pen Pals,” Skinner exclaimed, “It is lovely. It is lovely to be doing this with my best friend.”
Playing Mags
Skinner is drawn to playing Mags for several reasons. “I think the writing is really flexible in this show,” she said. “So, I like that I can play Mags differently from day to day. That’s what is nice about it.”
Working with Donna Lynne Champlin
On working with Donna Lynne Champlin, she remarked, “It is great working with her. I’ve known her for 30 years now. I love sitting there and listening to her and the choices that she makes, and just admiring her talent.”
Lessons learned from the ‘Pen Pals’ script
On the lessons learned from the “Pen Pals” script, Skinner reflected, “I think it’s a great reminder that life is a ride. The only thing that is constant is change. Sometimes, that is wonderful and sometimes, it is not so wonderful. It’s a wonderful journey.”
“Also, it taught me the importance of connection,” she added.
‘House of McQueen’ Off-Broadway show
Skinner also played Alexander McQueen’s mother, Joyce, in the Off-Broadway play “House of McQueen.” “That was another adventure,” she admitted. “It was great to work with Luke Newton, who is now one of my favorite people.”
“I also got to learn a lot about Alexander McQueen, someone who I didn’t know anything about,” she noted.
“Also, Catherine LeFrere is so talented,” she added.
The digital age
On being an actress in the digital age, Skinner said, “I try to stay off social media as much as I can, because I don’t think it’s great for all of us to be so self-aware. I think the less self-aware you are as an actor or as a performer, the better you are.”
“I also think social media gives a false sense of what is actually out there, which is very, very highly curated,” she added.
Advice for young and emerging actors
For young and aspiring actors, she said, “I would tell them to act as much as they can. Take every chance you can get… you learn by doing. That’s how yo learn!”
Stage of her life
On the title of the current chapter of her life, Skinner revealed, “Finding Peace in Midlife.” “That’s a good chapter,” she admitted.
Success
Regarding her definition of the word success, Skinner said, “Success means work that you’re fully engaged in and having connected relationships you love.That’s success.”
Closing thoughts on ‘Pen Pals’
For fans and viewers, she expressed about “Pen Pals,” “I think ‘Pen Pals’ makes you feel feelings. To me, that’s what the best theater does.”
“I often find now that I go to theater and I watch it and it ends, and I haven’t felt anything at all. I think the wonderful thing you can say about ‘Pen Pals’ is it makes you feel feelings,” she elaborated.
“I’m delighted that audiences have been surprised by it. So, come and see it,” she concluded.
For more information on Emily Skinner, follow her on Instagram.
To learn more about the Off-Broadway play “Pen Pals,” check out the official website.
Read More: “Pen Pals” review starring Donna Lynne Champlin and Emily Skinner.
