How do you catch a turkey?
How do you defeather a turkey?
How do you live off the land?
During the run ofThe Refuge Plays, shes been staying attheir New York apartment.
Im like the new kid in the group.
Most of the actors have been really seasoned in this material, she says ofher castmates.
I had to jump right into the rhythm of everything.
A lot of the people [in the audience] are people I love and know, she says.
I always want to see whos there, greet them, and honor that they came.
On her dressing room staples:
I wish I had snacks.
Theres no time for snacks.
On her music-free preparation:
I dont eat much before the show.
I do a vocal warmup, adeep breathingwarmup, and body stretching.
For this show, I dont [listen to] any music.
The words feel like a piece of music to me.
I just attempt to lay into them before each show.
The words mean so much that I almost cant get distracted by AirPods in my ears.
On why she leaves people on read:
I do not look at that phone, girl.
I am still a nervous Nelly.
I tell my friends, Dont tell me youre coming.
At maybe 10:20, Im finished, changing into my pedestrian clothes, and greeting family and friends.
By then its 11 oclock, and kitchens are closing.
Getting out late has been quite a shift in how I work.
I have to decompress.
I dont live too far from the theater, so sometimes I walk home.
I have a lot of groceries, and Im making my own food.
Its been nice to really nurture myself with home-cooked meals,tea, and good rest.
I saute a lot of vegetables.
I love Indian food in New York City, so sometimes Ill warm up some leftover chana masala.
And I hope that people leave the theater laughing and crying at the same time.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
