Laurie Jones on SLAY, screaming, and what she’s working on!
Ripley interviews Laurie Jones on all things SLAY and what she is working on!
Tell us about your Slay character? How are they like or not like you?
My Slay character, Taylor, is super tough and she’s an avid hunter. I'm a PETA-supporting, vegetarian so there is that difference! I think we are both pretty independent. She's very fun to play and I like to channel my inner-survivalist. I like to think that if I really needed to step it up during a monster attack, I could be tough like Taylor, but I would be screaming the entire time. I actually took my cousin (who was a teenager at the time and I was a full- fledged adult woman) to a zombie hunt around Halloween which is basically laser tag in the woods (it’s amazing). She was terrified and I kept assuring her it was no big deal, and sure enough I was the one hysterically screaming the entire 20 minutes. Embarrassing, but ya know… I tagged every single Zombie. Gosh, maybe I am more like Taylor than I thought.
How did your improv journey begin?
Probably in my basement making my sister play pretend with me (she was very sweet about my demands), but in terms of training, I was really lucky that most of my early acting training included improv. And then I got super into improv in college, which led me to Chicago to do Second City. I've gotten to incorporate improv into devised theatre pieces with my theatre company, Wishbone Theatre Collective and then work with Impro Theatre, which led me to Ripley! I truly believe improv has made me a better human, one that is hopefully more aware and says yes when I can.
Laurie in a mustache and gray coat performing in FAIR, a devised play by Wishbone Theatre Collective.
What about Ripley excites you?
I love how much Ripley is growing. I love our new ensemble. There is a new, excited energy with the group and I cannot wait to see how that will translate once there are in person shows again. Everyone brings something really unique to the table and I am very jazzed to continue to learn from everyone.
What are you working on right now that is exciting you?
I recently got to direct a sci-fi short film in the woods with people that I love and it was everything I wanted it to be. I am really proud of that. I also have been doing so much writing over the pandemic. It's something I really look forward to doing each day. It’s mostly sci-fi based at the moment. And lastly, I have a big, secret project coming out at the end of July that I cannot wait to share with everyone! You’ll have to stay tuned!
Laurie directed her new short film in Asheville, NC.
What is your favorite part of working on SLAY?
Slay is a really fun and smart show because the format really allows for zoom to make a lot of sense because everything is under the device that we are pre-recorded videos. The show is essentially a giant game of "yes,and" where you just have to build off of what everyone in front of you said but it's all about monsters and what's more fun than that? Also, I relocated temporarily to North Carolina during the pandemic and it's been pretty amazing for me to be able to stay connected to the group I love so much.
Watch Laurie in SLAY this Friday at 6pm PT/ 9pm ET on twitch.tv/ripleyimprov