Ask the Artist: Hillary Clemens

Hillary Clemens in IRT’s 2015 production of The Great Gatsby. Photo by Zach Rosing.

You may recognize Hillary from her emotional turn in last season’s The Great Gastby. We are thrilled to welcome her back to the stage as Gloria in the upcoming Boeing Boeing, playing March 7 – April 2 at the IRT. Read on to find out more about this fascinating artist!

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE ROLE TO PLAY SO FAR IN YOUR CAREER?

Oh, this is so hard, but if I have to pick just one... I’m going to go with Rosalind in As You Like It, both for the particular joys of inhabiting that character (she’s brilliant and big-hearted and funny and complicated) and also because that’s how I first became friends with Matt Schwader. He played Orlando opposite me almost seven years ago, and now we’re married with a baby!

WHAT IS A DREAM ROLE YOU HOPE TO PLAY SOMEDAY?

My wish list is long and constantly expanding! Can I pick three? Harper in Angels in America, Hedda in Hedda Gabbler, and Billie Dawn in Born Yesterday. I know all of those roles would be thrilling and challenging to tackle, and I think I could do them justice.

IF YOU WEREN’T AN ACTOR, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

In an alternate universe, I’m a librarian. Books and research and community service and organization— it sounds like heaven to me.

IF YOU COULD EAT DINNER WITH ANYONE, ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

If we don’t count my husband and son, who are my favorite people to eat with (or do anything with), I think I’d have to say Malala Yousafzai. I deeply admire her courage, her mission, her intelligence, and her sense of humor under extraordinary circumstances.

WHAT ARE YOU READING/WATCHING FOR ARTISTIC INSPIRATION THESE DAYS?

For Boeing Boeing, I’ve been immersing myself in the comedies of the early 60s—lots of Doris Day! And I’ve been reading accounts of flight attendants of the era, talking about their training, protocol and adventures.

IF YOU WERE BANISHED TO A DESERTED ISLAND AND COULD BRING ONLY THREE ITEMS WITH YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

A tent, a Swiss Army knife, and the Complete Works of Shakespeare.
 
Our thanks to Hillary Clemens for answering our questions for this issue!

​Is there an IRT artist you would like to see featured, or have a specific question for?
Drop us a line! Email Lindsey Horan at lhoran@irtlive.com using the subject Ask the Artist.