Angela Van Tassel was born and raised in California, where she studied communications in college in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is currently a writer, trainer, and works as a training developer for the US Government. The theatre bug bit her HARD while in college after a friend asked her to help out backstage at a local production of The Miracle Worker. She has worked in theatre ever since: as backstage crew, sound or lighting tech, stage manager, actor, and director for both community theatre productions and semi-professional companies.
Angela is playing the role of Martha in Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Let’s get to know more about her:
Q: Is this your first show at Live Arts, and what other shows have you done with us?
A: This is our first show with Live Arts Theatre.
Q: What attracted you to audition for Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
A: I’ve wanted to play Martha since I first read the show some [mumble-mumble] years ago. I just had to wait until I was old enough.
Q: Name two FUNNY facts about you:
A: Let’s see…you will pry the Oxford comma from my cold, dead, and lifeless hands. And I hate mushrooms so much that once I made Josh eat some breath mints after he ate a mushroom burger before we rehearsed one particular scene.
Q: What is your dream dramatic role?
A: Martha! However, I’d also love to play Aunt Birdie in The Little Foxes (Lillian Hellman). Regina is the flashier role in that play, but Aunt Birdie speaks to me.
Q: Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf is a dark and intense show. What is the most intense performance you have ever done up to now?
A: There are two contenders: Years ago, in The Runner Stumbles (by Milan Stitt), I played Sister Rita, a young nun who falls in love with her priest. The feeling is reciprocated, creating an intolerable situation for both of them. Last year, I portrayed Bev in Clybourne Park (by Bruce Norris). Bev is desperately trying to save her marriage and her lifestyle amid a changing social dynamic. In some ways, I see playing Bev as preparation for playing Martha.
You don’t want to miss this show! We have four outstanding actors who are brand new to Live Arts Theatre that we would love for you to come and see. Get your tickets now. http://latvirginiawoolf.brownpapertickets.com/ It is a cozy house. You will want to get a seat in advance. *Please note that opening weekend has been moved. The show officially opens Oct 28 and will run through Nov 4th (Once again, get your tickets now!)