Hello dear readers. I tend to have a lot of curiosity about my fellow human beings, especially those who have talents that I don’t. That is why I was excited at the opportunity to speak to some of the wonderful performers who will be appearing in the Madison Theatre Christmas show. One of the people I got to interview was Ellie Sondock. It was lovely to meet her and to find out more about her. Without further ado, let’s get into the interview.
What is your favorite thing about performing?
“Just knowing that I get to spread joy to a group of strangers. I think that’s so cool, that you can reach out to people that you don’t know and make their days better and be truly appreciated. Every time they clap it’s like they’re saying ‘thank you for giving up your time to make me happy and entertained.’ I think that’s the coolest part.”
What’s your favorite role or performance you’ve done?
“Penny in Hairspray, which I did my senior year of highschool. It was fun to be someone so funny and silly and quirky. I got a lot of free reign to do comedy which is something I love doing.”
What inspired you to start in the theater?
“Being in my first show helped. I got into it by accident because my friend was auditioning for a show and I went to watch and so they said ‘why don’t you just audition?’ and I got the lead role. It was so much fun and I felt so accepted. The feeling I had on stage and in rehearsals was a feeling of elation I never experienced before. I had a fire inside of me that said ‘I have to do this.’ When something makes you that happy, why would you ever let it go?”
What is your dream role?
“Catherine from Newsies. Dawn from Waitress. Cosette from Les Mis. Ariel from The Little Mermaid.”
What are you looking forward to the most about performing in the Christmas show?
“I’ve never done anything like this because I’m Jewish so this is fun. I’m just excited to get everyone in the spirit of Christmas. It’s such a high energy and fun time. I’ve just been having so much fun dancing and singing with my friends in cute costumes and singing about snow and hot chocolate. I’m excited to share the joy that we’ve been fostering. I’m also excited to be the first Jewish reindeer/elf. I’ve also never danced this much in a show which is also exciting.”
What is your favorite thing about the improvisation work you’ve done?
“I like creating something from nothing. I think that’s such a cool concept that you can’t do anywhere else. I love how the whole thing is fed off the other person. I think it’s cool how you can blossom a whole situation from nothing. It’s so funny and low stakes. This exact moment only happens once so it’s not a big deal if it doesn’t quite work.”
Who is your favorite actor/actress? What is your favorite movie?
“My favorite movie is Support Your Local Sheriff. It’s a subtle comedy/western. No one thinks it’s funny but my dad and I but it’s so funny. What I love about this movie is that it’s kind of sarcastic and witty. If you’re paying attention, it’s hysterical.
My favorite actress is Carol Burnett. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted to be. She’s a singer, dancer, actor, and comedienne. She’s just herself unapologetically. She had her own show and I’ve watched every episode. She was one of the first to have an SNL-like show. There’s nothing she can do. She broke the ingenue stereotype. The idea that the pretty woman had to sing about love but she showed that you can be crazy and funny.”
What is your favorite Christmas song?
“‘Santa Baby,’ ‘Let it Snow,’ & ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside.'”
And that’s all,dear readers. I hope you enjoyed reading this interview as much as I enjoyed giving it. Look forward to more exciting interviews with performers in the Christmas show coming up soon!