"Your Life is More Than Your Career." - Chatting with Tiffany Gilly-Forrer!
It is my honor to introduce you to Tiffany Gilly-Forrer. Originally from Portland, Oregon and currently based out of Greensboro, North Carolina, this talented actress earned her MFA in Acting at Louisiana State University. Tiffany is certified in the Seven Pillars Acting technique, has trained with Second City comedians, and has a great passion for BIPOC-centered stories, Classical Theatre, and new scripts. Tiffany has a cabaret coming up at the end of September along with Sarah Joy Kane at Don't Tell Mama. There is no bigger joy than featuring artists from all walks of life, and I truly feel that this young lady has only scratched the surface of her potential and how far she'll go in this industry. I am so happy to have the chance to feature Tiffany!
How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?
I was in the eighth grade (middle school), so that would be 13? I saw the middle school musical, and I cried because I wasn't in it and wished I could have done the show with them. That's when I knew I should give theatre/acting a try, and by my freshman year in high school, I was hooked.
Are there any special people in your life, teachers or mentors who truly helped you become the amazing artist you are today?
Oh, of course. I did a ton of work, sure, but most of the reason I'm here today is because of the people who believed in me and supported my artistic endeavors; those people include my biological mom, my adoptive parents, my amazing spouse, all of my very many siblings, my closest friends, colleagues, and teachers/mentors who have come to see a show or who have donated money to support my projects or who acted in my own show Interlocus. There's a whole lot of people; it's hard to know where to start. One day, if I win a big award and get to be on public tv acknowledging them, I will acknowledge them by name. For this interview, the list is too long.
Congratulations on your upcoming cabaret! How excited are you to be performing again after all these months of uncertainty due to Covid?
I am so excited I could poop my pants. I thought about not writing that; I know that's weird to say, but it's what I would say out loud to my friends. To all the folks who don't know me reading this, you know my very strange ass a little better now. It has been a living Purgatory waiting to perform live again in front of a crowd. Just fair warning, I will probably cry a whole helluva lot when we are done with the Cabaret. Please feel free to cry with us. There is no charge for crying.
Are there any moments in your career that stick out and will always be near and dear to your heart?
Yes. There is one very clear moment when theatre/acting went from "a passion of mine" to "the work I want to do for my life, no matter how hard it gets." I was playing Shelby in a production of Steel Magnolias directed by the incredible Jan Powell in my undergraduate studies at a small, liberal arts school in the Pinot Noir Valley of Oregon; George Fox University. When I walked on stage the first time during the first performance, I could have sworn I heard the audience take in a very subtle, sharp breath of excitement, and I felt a strong energy from them thrilled to see me there as well as a joyous connection to my scene partners. It was a perfect moment.
What advice would you give any young aspiring artist?
Your life is more than your career. Accept more things from the universe than just being an artist because art will not love you back, and you need to have love and connection with others in order to live a full and happy life. Develop hobbies that are completely unrelated to your career. Make friends who are not artists. It's okay to prioritize your family, lovers, and friends over your work sometimes. Travel, even if it's just within your state/region/country. Go on day trips and overnight trips to beautiful nature parks, and turn your cell phone on airplane mode every now and then for 24 hours. You can afford to lose a day or two. A great actor is one who is a whole, complete person.
Tiffany and Sarah's is on Friday, September 24th at 9:30pm with Doors Opening at 9pm. For reservations and more information please visit - www.donttellmamanyc.com; and to learn more about Tiffany make sure you visit her official website at www.tiffanygilly.com you can also follow her on instagram at @tgillyforrer.