“NOT IN IT FOR THE MONEY” Margeaux Fanning Loves Acting for What it is By Dean M. Shapiro Probably the most frequent comment directed toward emerging artists who aspire to careers in the performing arts, “Don’t quit your day job.” The implication, of course, is that you don’t give up a steady paycheck until you’re well-enough established in your artistic career to make a living at it. Margeaux Fanning doesn’t have those concerns. A popular, talented local actor with more than two dozen stage productions on her resume and still more lined up, she’s not about to give up a day job that pays the bills and gives her the freedom to pursue her creative muse in the evenings and on weekends. “I’m not in it acting for the money or the recognition,” Margeaux cheerfully explained during a recent interview punctuated by frequent bursts of laughter. “I’ve just always loved being on stage and becoming a different character. That’s been the drive.” Although acknowledging that she gets paid for most of what she does onstage, usually it’s only a nominal amount. But that’s okay with her. “I’ve always been very realistic, knowing I could never really make a living at it,” Margeaux continued. “I never chose to go to New York or L.A. to try and get a break and work as a waitress till that came along. I’ve always had office jobs, 9-5. It’s fortunate that I have a day job that allows me time for evening rehearsals and weekends off to do shows.” “Acting has always been my passion,” she emphasized. “That’s why I do it.” Among her numerous acting credits on New Orleans stages are lead roles in The Book of Liz at The Theatre at St. Claude (summer 2015), Tennessee Williams’ The Gnadiges Fraulein (June 2012 and March 2013), The Mercy Seat for Actors Theatre of New Orleans (January 2010) and several others. In addition, she’s had prominent supporting roles in Tony and Tina’s Wedding and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, both at the Joy Theater; Sex Please, We’re 60 for the Jefferson Performing Arts Society; Ira Levin’s Deathtrap at the Shadowbox Theatre; and nearly two dozen other shows. She recently reprised her Tony and Tina’s Wedding role at the newly opened Scarlet Pearl Casino in Biloxi, performing four shows in front of about 300 people per show, her biggest audience yet. 12 | BREAKTHRU MEDIA | breakthrumediamagazine.com J U LY / AU G U S T 2 0 1 7
20320BM
To see the actual publication please follow the link above