I think that the jazzy approach that I have is based on the way that I hear music and in the way I play a supporting role to the other people in the band.
I grew up in Evanston and lived in Chicago for a long time, in Old Town and Wrigleyville. I did three films when I was in high school. The first was 'Class,' with Rob Lowe. I had a supporting role in that.
A lot of people like to justify women's supporting role in sports media by saying, 'Well, they've never played the game, so they just aren't qualified to speak about it.'
I think when you're doing a lead role, there is so much more pressure. If you fail, not only do you fail, but everybody else fails, too. As opposed to when it's a supporting role and it's only you that sucked.
In 1990, I was in 'The Three Sisters' at the Royal Court and won the Clarence Derwent award for my supporting role as Natasha - the prize was £100. I could have paid the gas bill, but I ended up buying a porcelain and silver Bavarian coffee set in an antiques shop in Penzance.
When the going gets tough, the prospect of delegating half your responsibilities to a willing volunteer, either to play a supporting role or take over the breadwinning, certainly holds allure.
I don't believe in terminologies like 'lead role' or 'supporting role' or 'cameo role,' etc.
I don't think I've been in a supporting role in any of the plays I've done, ever.
When I was young, I dreamt of being a starlet in Hollywood. But there comes a point in every African American's life when you realize the limitations, that you could only play maids or some little supporting role. Even Lena Horne couldn't get good parts.
In 'The Grandmaster,' I had a supporting role, but my character in 'The Crossing' is much more central to the plot.
