Stage actress revels in ‘exciting time’
Growing body of movie work has her poised for stardom
NEW YORK – Louisa Krause, budding movie star, is actually looking forward to going back to work this summer at a run-down movie theater.
The “King Kelly” actress, raised in Falls Church, Virginia, is reuniting with the original cast of Annie Baker’s “The Flick,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning play that made its debut in 2013.
Krause, 28, plays Rose, one of three low-paid employees who share jokes, chit-chat, poignant revelations and a lot of workplace tedium in the show at the Barrow Street Theatre.
Offstage, Krause is on the cusp of big things. Her upcoming indie films include the romantic comedy “Jane Wants a Boyfriend,” the quirky mystery “Ava’s Possessions,” the psychological thriller “The Confines,” and the post-apocalyptic love story “We’ve Forgotten More Than We Ever Knew.”
The Associated Press spoke with Krause about her hopes, heroes and why she’d like to play a man.
AP: Was it easy to get back into character after two years?
Krause: It was pretty amazing how quickly the lines were there and the instincts came back. It was like Rose was lying dormant and then she was resurrected.
AP: Things seem to be popping for you lately.
Krause: It’s an exciting time. I feel I am on the brink of getting to that level where there will be more opportunities. It’s about to happen. It’s exciting.
AP: You worked with Philip Seymour Hoffman on what was going to be his TV series debut in ‘Happyish.’
Krause: That was a big thing because it was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m working with this actor who I’ve admired my whole life’ and ‘Wow, my dreams are coming true for real.’
AP: What other actors do you most admire?
Krause: Gena Rowlands, Meryl Streep. Carey Mulligan makes great choices. Jennifer Lawrence, of course.
AP: Do you have any special skills?
Krause: I’ve taken a fancy to archery. I’m really good at it.
AP: That should prove helpful in New York.
Krause: Exactly. All the pigeons. I’m going to get ’em!
AP: What have you always dreamed of playing?
Krause: I would love to play a man in a movie. I played rabbi in ‘The Dybbuk’ in high school and I won the best actor award. At a state competition, they actually thought I was a guy! In the program, I was ‘L. Krause.’ I want to do that again now that I’ve had more life.
AP: What kind of job are you interested in?
Krause: I am interested in getting some stability, possibly in the television world. Getting on some show that I could sink my teeth into. I think it would be fascinating to connect with people in their living rooms, in transit, in planes and layovers. I think it would awesome to be that for somebody – to be their daily entertainment.
AP: You’ve been in New York 10 years now. Were your parents OK with you at 18 here alone?
Krause: My mom was scared of me riding the subway, so I was a bus girl. I would call her when I got off a bus. She would have a map and I would be like, ‘Mom, which way do I walk?’ and she would help me.
AP: Wait, from Virginia?
Krause: Yeah, she had a map.
AP: Good for her.
Krause: Yeah. She’s my best friend. I’m so lucky that I’ve got supportive parents.
AP: Other than perseverance, what other things help young actors?
Krause: I think being a nice person. Being kind to other people I think helps. We’re here for so short a time, what’s the point of not spreading some sunshine?