Tara Jay
Tara Jay is a beautiful and talented Australian actress who has an ability to transform into each role incredibly. She is known for captivating audiences with her each role she takes on. We recently caught up with her and this is what she had to say:
Please introduce yourself to the readers and how and when did you first get into performing?
My name is Tara Jay. I come from a Vaudevillian family so I think performing is kind of in my blood and I didn’t really have a say in the matter. I started dancing when I was 4 yrs old and at that time, never did my parents expect I would be moving to Germany at 16 to pursue a career in it. After my dancing career ended due to several foot operations I found acting and it progressed from there.
What inspired you to get into this industry?
When I could no longer pursue a career in dance I was searching for some type of artistic outlet. I tried a few TV presenting courses and enjoyed them immensely but I felt there was something else I needed to be doing. Then I went to my first acting class at the Australian Academy of Dramatic Art and the rest is history.
What kind of training have you had, if any?
I’m trained in the Stanislavski/ Stella Adler technique and have been very lucky to have worked with some wonderful teachers in this technique such as Lynette Sheldon and Annie Swan. They are who really opened my eyes to the world of acting and what it means to be an actor. It was a “light bulb going off” moment studying with them.
I’ve also done workshops in the Chekhov technique, and most recently have started working with the Chubbuck technique with wonderful teacher/actor Anthony Brandon Wong. All these techniques have helped me grow as an actor and given me many tools in my actor’s tool kit to draw on.I’ve also trained through my dancing years in the Royal Academy of Dancing Syllabus up to the Advanced/ Solo Seal level.
What has been your favorite role to play so far?
There’s been so many, I’ll have to break it down into genre. My favorite play role would be Crystal Allen from The Women by Clare Boothe Luce. This production also had the most fantastic wardrobe to go with it. My favorite and the most challenging film role would be Jade Decker from Stroke the Black. Lastly my favorite musical role would be Patty Simcox from Grease. She was crazy and so much fun to play.
What has been one of your biggest achievements in your career so far?
A most recent personal accolade would have to be winning Most Outstanding Actress award at the LA Web Fest. As well as numerous films and series I’ve been a part of which have also won awards for their work.
What other projects do you have coming up?
I’m shooting a horror short which I have a role in, an upcoming feature and at the end of October where I’m heading back to LA. It will be my first Halloween in the US. I’m just a little bit excited!
Who would you most like to work with past or present?
Where to begin! If I could choose anyone alive or dead to work with it would absolutely be Judy Garland. She is an idol of mine. She could make you laugh one minute and then break your heart with a note of her voice the next. I would love to be directed by Clint Eastwood one day. Million Dollar Baby is one of my favorite films and Hilary Swank is my favorite actress. If I could work with either one of them or even both at the same time, it would be a dream come true. Other actresses I admire and would love to work with are Jessica Chastain, Rachel McAdams, Emily Blunt and again; Clint Eastwood, Cillian Murph, Viggo Mortensen and Tom Hanks. Director wise, it would be Darren Aronofsky and Harmony Korine. I would also love to work on something written by Aaron Sorkin.
What are your plans for the future?
My aim is to work and learn as much as possible from people I admire and hopefully one day be in the position to do the same for others.
What is your advice to aspiring performers?
To train and know your craft but more importantly, to know yourself! It’s a tough industry with a lot of rejection so you must be confident with who you are as a person and have this confidence with each role you tackle. There are a lot of people out there that will tell you you’re not good enough, but if you can’t see yourself doing anything else, keep that confidence and keep your dreams alive. Don’t play it safe, put yourself out there. Sure not everyone is going to like you but while they’re busy hating, your busy moving forward. It’s a journey not a race and that’s sometimes hard to remember!
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