Getting to Know Nicole Borysowicz!
By Gwen Leahy
Getting to Know Nicole Borysowicz!
Bio:
Nicole Borysowicz is an actress, director, filmmaker, and writer currently living in Savannah, GA. She attended the Drama program at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities and graduated with a BA in musical theatre from Coastal Carolina University. She's a collector of many things, including books, art, and pets.
Q&A
Q: You are a chameleon onstage, able to bring both raucous comedy and heartbreaking drama to your audience in the blink of an eye. Do you have different ways of preparing for comedic and serious roles, or do you treat them as similar challenges?
A: The basics are the same (who am I,? what do I want?, etc). For me, comedy is always about rhythm and musicality. It's easier to live in the moment with anything serious, but with comedy, I'm thinking about the inflection of my words or what speed makes the joke land.
Q: You don't just act and direct for the stage; you also have an impressive short film portfolio. What are some differences working between the genres, and what advice do you have for people who mainly work the stage who want to branch out?
A: I'm all heart eyes that you found out about my filmmaking! I've always loved film as well as the stage, but I particularly gravitated towards making my own films when I wanted more control over my artistic voice. I could get into the nitty-gritty of differences and be here all day, but as a broad stroke, I tend to think that the stage is more of a collaborative medium, while with film, it all happens in the editing room. And my advice for everything: study and do! For acting specifically, it's super helpful to just record yourself and then watch it back. Show it to other people and get feedback! Stillness in the body can be helpful at first, but don't let it hold you back from living in the moment. And the internal life has to be really solid, the camera won't let you get away with anything.
Q: Your Instagram account bio touts you as a "Savannah-based filmmaker, actor, book lover, cat enthusiast." This leads to the obvious questions: What is your favorite book, and what breed of cat do you associate with that book?
A: Hoo boy. It's always so hard to list a favorite of anything! I'm going to cheat and say three: The People of Paper by Salvador Plascencia (bengal cat), If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio (black cat), and The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation series by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (can't be a cat, has to be a bunny).
Q: As a director, what is your go-to style while directing? Is it influenced by your actor side at all, or do you try to keep those sides of your brain separate from each other?
A: My strength as a director is my acting background! Directing also made me a better actor. It helps to understand that there is someone with the outside view who sees how all the cogs are fitting into place so when they guide you to a choice you might not agree with, it's because they see something you can't.
Q: Last but certainly not least, the hardest question yet (and one I ask everyone)... What is one role or show that you have not yet had the opportunity to perform in or work on, but is on your theatre bucket list?
A: There are so many roles and shows I still want to do, but I will be super offended if I don't get a chance to play Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar.
Promo:
Get your tickets for “Footloose” at the Savannah Stage Company, December 4th-12th!
