Columbia City Paper

Amy Holtcamp is an adjunct professor in the USC Department of Theater and Dance.  She graduated with an MFA in directing from the University of Washington. Her play, “Island of Misfits,” was recently produced in Seattle by Next Stage Theatre.  She directs USC Lab Theatre’s current production of “Iphigenia and Other Daughters.”  

(1)  If your current production were an animal, what would it be?

AH:  A bird.

(2)  What’s your favorite character in any play?

AH:  Masha in “Three Sisters” (Chekhov).

(3)  If you could climb into a time machine and see any play ever produced, what would it be?

AH:  James O’Neill in “The Count of Monte Cristo.” [Editor:  O’Neill, the father of famed playwright James O’Neill, played the title role 4,000 times in Chicago during the 19th century.]

(4)  What would it take to get you naked on stage?  (Keep in mind that our interviewers never carry more than $50 cash at any one time.)

AH:  At this point in life…$

(5)  What live theatrical production most changed your life?

AH:  “The Grapes of Wrath” in middle school.  I was transported by a non-musical.  (And it was the first time I saw a naked man.)

(6)  Put in order from favorite to least favorite:  Shakespeare, Eugene O’Neill, Sophocles, Arthur Miller, Neil Simon, Julie Taymor.

AH:  Shakespeare, Eugene O’Neill, Arthur Miller, Julie Taymor, Neil Simon, Sophocles.  However, I don’t want anyone to think I don’t like Neil Simon!

(7)  Drug or relaxant of choice?

AH:  “Battlestar Galactica.”

(8)  What Columbia theater has the most comfortable seats?

AH:  Trustus.  Great popcorn, too!

(9)  What’s your favorite curse word?

AH:  Stronza [Editor:  Italian for “bitch”/”slut”/”whore.”]

(10)  Does this questionnaire make you feel like using your favorite curse word?

AH:  No!

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