Interview: Andrea Magpulong
Interview: Andrea Magpulong
An actor living on Darug land starring in an exciting new work
Andrea Magpulong is a Filipinx-Australian actor who lives on Darug land. Her theatre credits include: Wasted as Charlotte, 12 Angry Jurors as Juror 4, Ate Lovia as Lovia Understudy. Screen credits include: Nothing In Between, Queen of Oz.
What do you enjoy about playing Lainey in Short Blanket?
The thing I enjoy most about playing Lainey is that she is unfiltered, distilled chaos. She’s incredibly stressed out which manifests in different ways. She wears her heart on her sleeve and always speaks her mind.
What is the best part of being involved in Short Blanket?
The best part I would say is working with like-minded people. It’s rare to work with a predominantly Asian crew. I hadn’t worked with anybody on this team before up until now and everyone has been supportive, fun and kind. Everyone on the team has a great sense of humour – it’s cultivated a fun space to play.
How does working on the world premiere of a play differ to working on a reinterpretation of a pre-existing play?
Great question! When working on reinterpretations of a pre-existing play, sometimes, it can feel as though you have nothing new to bring to a character because it’s all been done before by many, many actors – which is completely untrue as there is always room for your own take. In this mindset, you question how to truly make a character your own. However, with working on a world premiere you’re covering new ground. In that sense, I’d say it’s special because my interpretation of Lainey on stage is its first.
Working on a world premiere play and a new work has been a collaborative process, and often there are continuous changes made to the script to fine tune it which keeps you on your toes! That doesn’t happen to reinterpretations of pre-existing plays on same scale of a new work.
Who are your biggest inspirations or influences as an actor?
Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Stephanie Hsu, Aubrey Plaza are my biggest inspirations. I’d say that Aubrey Plaza has influenced me a lot, I was obsessed with April Ludgate from Parks & Recreation as a teen.
What have you been reading/watching and loving lately?
I’m currently reading Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong. I’ve been watching Beef, I’m on episode three – it’s completely unhinged and I’m all for it. I’ve also been watching Ted Lasso, I mean, how can you not? Oh, and also The Great – it’s so good.
What would you like to see more of in Sydney theatre?
Personally, I’d like to see more movement pieces. I saw Moon Rabbit Rising last year and the application of storytelling without using words was really beautiful and inherently moving. But more importantly, I’d also like to see younger people go to the theatre. I don’t know, theatre has always been revered as a high class art. A lot of my friends who are non-theatre goers view it that way, but I’ve been slowly converting them and showing them that that’s not necessarily true. I don’t really know how to change that on a grand scale nor do I know the answer to it.
Andrea is currently performing as Lainey in Slanted Theatre’s production of Short Blanket at Meraki Arts Bar in Sydney from 18 May to 3 June 2023.