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April 27, 2001/Iyar 4, 5761, Vol. 53, No.30
Pursuing a dream
LEISAH NAMM
Assistant Editor
Although her most recent character has worked in more than 60 jobs, actress Michelle Gardner has known since childhood what career she wanted to pursue.
"I just have always wanted to be an actor," she says. "I really, really enjoy it - it makes me happy."
She is currently starring in the Actors Theatre of Phoenix's production of "Blown Sideways Through Life," which runs May 4-20 at Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix.
The one-woman show is an autobiographical look at writer Claudia Shear's work experiences.
"This is a woman who's had 63 different jobs and she spends most of the show kind of taking you on a journey through her different jobs," Gardner says.
Throughout the play, Gardner uses different accents to transform into various individuals with whom Shear had come into contact in her multiple workplaces and occupations.
The play, based on a book of the same name, is a collection of monologues, bringing to the surface Shear's various work experiences - from retail clerk and waitress to bordello receptionist.
"It's a different kind of show," Gardner explains. "There's not a beginning, a middle and an end." She quotes Shear: "Life doesn't have a topic sentence. Life is life."
Gardner admires Shear's writing style. "Her use of the English language is just superb," she says. "Even when she's being vulgar, it's very creative and superb."
After the show closes, Gardner, a Phoenix native and daughter of Karsh's Bakery owners Arnie and Gloria Gardner, plans to move to Los Angeles to pursue a film career.
"I think I've done everything I can do here," she says. "It's time to move on and see what else is out there."
Although she calls the move a gamble, she says "it's just one of those things where you don't want to spend your life saying, 'well, I always wanted to try this and I never did.' "
When she was a student at Central High School in Phoenix, she was involved in the theater and speech programs. At that time she was also auditioning in community theater. After studying theater at Emerson College in Boston and then at New York University, she moved back to Arizona in 1992.
Gardner, 29, has appeared in many productions on Valley stages, including Actors Theatre's world premiere of "The Arizona Project" and several seasons in "A Christmas Carol." She has also been in Phoenix Theatre's "Tintypes," "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," and "Man of La Mancha."
She has won four ariZONI awards, New Times Best of Phoenix Award and The Arizona Republic's Top 10 Artists Award.
"I've learned an incredible amount and I think that I have gotten to know myself very well," she says. "I've been given the opportunity to get to know myself and the things that I want."
Gardner appreciates the constant support and encouragement her parents and brother, Larry, 24, have provided through the years.
"My family is wonderful," she says. "They've always been supportive. They've never said (I) should have something to fall back on - they've always said 'go for it.' "
"Blown Sideways Through Life" contains strong language and is recommended for adult audiences.
Tickets are $25-34.
A priceless matinee will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11. Ticket buyers can name their own price or may bring a donation of a nonperishable food item to benefit AIDS Project Arizona.
Show times vary. Call 602-252-8497.
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