37 Minutes with Aimée Bruneau

Photographing the artists of ACT – A Contemporary Theatre

Aimée Bruneau was playing a Russian spy in Chef Nordo’s “To Savor Tomorrow” in 2011 when I first had the pleasure of meeting her.   Then I saw her performance in “Cabinet of Curiosities“, and that was the moment I realized what an amazing being she is.  Truly.  Aimee is a person that touches your soul.

It is such an honor to have had the opportunity to photograph this French beauty who stars in 99 Layoffs at ACT Theatre.  She’s absolutely brilliant!

Q&A with actor Aimée Bruneau

PhotoSister:  When you were young, did you imagine you would be on this particular journey in life? Why or why not?
Aimée Bruneau:  Ya know, this is what I’ve always done, for better or worse. I made up a lot of stories as a kid. Played “Pretend” with Fisher Price People with my sisters. My older sister Beth got to move the figures. My younger sister Laura only got to watch. I made up the stories and gave them all voices. Stories like “Mikey Has To Go To The Hospital Cause He Accidentally Ate Poison” or “Jennie Finds Out She’s Adopted.” Complicated dramas. My Dad said I would mimic commercials on tv and radio when I was very wee. The sound cues and everything. I still do.

PS:  Who or what inspires you the most in your personal life?
AB:  Travel.

PS:  And in your professional life?
AB:  My freaky community – these people are awesome.

PS:  What is the one thing you splurge on for yourself?
AB:  Travel.

PS:  What 3 countries would you like to visit and what would you like to experience while there?
AB:  Colombia – I want to become fluent in Spanish so Latin men will think I’m clever.
Samosir Island – I want to travel across the ocean to get to an island that contains a lake that contains an island that contains a lake. Lake Toba is a crater lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia – the deepest lake in the world. It was created by a super volcano that was one of the most violent volcanic eruptions of all time. Lake Toba surrounds an island called Samosir. Samosir has a couple of lakes on it with some sweet bungalows. I could maybe finally learn to swim in those heated volcanic waters.
Myanmar – the doors are open. Lonely Planet hasn’t made it too comfy yet.

PS:  If you could have anyone in history to be on stage with, who would it be and what scene would you play out?
AB:  The first man. The first date.

PS:  What is your hidden talent (any party tricks)?
AB:  I love to sing. I do a little Patsy Cline sometimes.

PS:  The Beatles or Elvis?
AB:  Beatles

PS:  What is your favorite restaurant pick in Seattle and the best dish on the menu?
AB:  I can easily think of 30-40 spots in town that make delicious, over-priced yummies and I would sound so hip and urban if I started listing them – but you asked for my favorite: Black Angus Steakhouse in Lynnwood, just off the freeway. The rib-eye. But mostly, I just love that cheap-ass, corporate molasses bread. And bringing a flask to pre-funk in the parking lot with my best bud.

PS:  What do you fear the most?
AB:  Hatred.

PS:  Who is your favorite superhero and/or supervillain?
AB:  Most/some stage managers.

PS:  What makes you happy?
AB:  Freedom

PS:  What kind of people do you surround yourself with?
AB:  Excellent conversationalists.

PS:  What personal adventure do you have in store for yourself this summer?
AB:  I was gonna learn to salsa and challenge myself to 64 days of Bikram Yoga but these plans are recently thwarted by an injury… so, I guess the next adventures are gonna be of the introspective variety.

PS:  What’s next on your horizon?
AB:  This Fall: Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls at WET, directed by Ali el-Gasseir
This Winter: Colombia. You know – for the Spanish.
This Spring: Directing again for Seattle Shakespeare Company: Taming of the Shrew

   
Go see Aimée Bruneau in “99 Layoffs” at ACT Theatre

Catch “99 Layoffs” at ACT Theatre in Seattle, August 2 – 25, 2012.