Adrianne Krstansky in '2.5 Minute Ride' at New Repertory Theatre. Photo: Christopher McKenzie.

Adrianne Krstansky is currently performing in Lisa Kron’s one woman show, 2.5 Minute Ride at New Repertory Theatre. She has appeared at the American Repertory Theater in Ubu Rock and Britannicus. She appeared in the Young Vic production in London of Laundry and Bourbon; at the Atlantic Theater and LaJolla Playhouse in Luck, Pluck and Virtue; at the Steppenwolf Theatre in A Clockwork Orange and Twelfth Night; and locally in Closer at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre; Frozen at New Repertory Theatre; Bug at Boston Theater Works; The Loman Family Picnic at Gloucester Stage; and Danny and the Deep Blue Sea at Vineyard Playhouse; among others. She directed the New England premiere of Thom Pain (based on nothing) at New Repertory Theatre, and teaches acting at Brandeis University.

What is your definition of misery?
A cocktail party where I have to wear pantyhose and high heels.

What is your greatest fear?
Losing my family. And I have an odd fear of goldfish.

What was your first “real” job working in theatre?
I was in college and cast at the local professional theater in a 3 person play called ‘Key Exchange’ with two older actors I had seen on stage hundreds of times and worshipped. I was a dream come true and trial by fire, all at the same time.

Are you a good at waiting tables?
I am the worst waitress on the planet. I drop things, forget things, can’t add…truly, a nightmare.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?
It’s a weird combination of Emily Dickinson and Patti Smith

Who are your favorite heroes of theatre?
Young people who follow this dream and keep making art against so many odds.

Who are your favorite heroes in real life?
Pediatricians

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Honesty

What do you consider the most underrated virtue?
Patience

Your favorite painter?
Jackson Pollack

Your favorite musician?
Nina Simone and Lyle Lovett

Your favorite playwright?
A couple –Tracy Letts, Charles Mee, Sarah Kane, Howard Barker, Judith Thompson

When and where were you happiest?
Well, now, really…but being a part of the theater scene in Chicago in my 20’s was pretty unbelievable…can’t believe really, how much I lucked out to work and play with those people.

What do you most value in colleagues?
Sense of humor and endurance.

Is there a class in which you wish you had paid more attention?
Yes, most of them. Every time I work on a play I feel like, wow, I studied something about this play in high school or college and if only I was so distracted by wanting to be in plays, I might know more now that would help me be in this play!

If you didn’t work in theatre, what would you do?
Special education for kids and write.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I survived a big mess with my faith in tact

What you’d like to be the world’s best at?
Being a mom.

What book would you read more than once?
Franny and Zooey by JD Salinger

Who would play you in a movie of your life? Why?
Amanda Plummer. She would get my shyness and my wildness

What sports teams do you follow?
My son’s little league team.

Where would you like to spend a vacation?
Bad Lands in South Dakota

What car would you like to be seen driving around in?
Really, a bike.

What book is currently on your nightstand?
Seymour by JD Salinger and Night of the Ninjas from the Magic Tree House Series that I am currently reading with my son.

If you could see a great production of a classic play, what would it be?
Alice in Wonderland

If you could travel back in time to visit or live in any time in history, when would it be?
I’d want to be part of the Bloomsbury group.

What actor will you see in any project they do?
My husband.

Thank you to Adrianne Krstansky (tag archive). Photo courtesy New Repertory Theatre (website | profile | tag archive).

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