Pasadena Playhouse's HotHouse Reading of Noms de Guerre: Interview with Danielle Mone Truitt

In preparation for the upcoming workshop and reading of NOMS DE GUERRE as part of Pasadena Playhouse's HotHouse series, I connected with our company about their careers in the theatre and the relevant themes of the play. HotHouse readings are by invitation only. Click here to learn more and please enjoy this wonderful interview with cast member Danielle Mone Truitt.

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JACQUELINE LAWTON: To begin, why did you decide to get into theater? Was there someone or a particular show that inspired you?
DANIELLE MONE` TRUITT: I have always had a love for performing since I started singing as a child. When I got to college I enrolled in a Theatre class as a way to give myself a creative outlet. Little did I know it would develop into a true passion for Acting and Theatre. So yeah, here I am Acting and Creating and ... "starving"? Ahahaha!

JL: NOMS DE GUERRE is a socio-political drama that addresses the U.S. military policy and the damaging impact of PTSD on veterans and their family. Why do you feel this play is relevant to today’s audiences?  
DT: I feel this play is extremely relevent because of the effects of PTSD and other Mental Illnesses on our society today. I think we have ignored these disorders for too long and it is imparitive that we support people who are suffering and help to give them the help they need.

JL: NOMS DE GUERRE also addresses women’s rights and recent restrictions places on health care for women. It’s been 50 years since the Women’s Liberation Movement swept the nation, where do you feel we are in terms of gender relations in the U.S.? 
DT: Although we have definitely made strides in the area of gender relations, I feel we have more work to do and further to go. We are still fighting discrimination and  a lack of respect in the in the work place. There are far less opportunities for Women and even less for Women of Color on stage and in film and television.  

JL: Which character are you playing? What, if anything, do you have in common with this character’s passions, values, intentions or belief system?
DT: I am playing the role of Leeda Ramsey.  I think what I have most in common with Leena is her compassion and desire to help people. Like her, I am very straight forward and I do not enable people, but I always want to see the best for them. 
 
JL: What’s next for you as an actor? Where can we follow your work? 
DT: I will be on an episode of the new Sitcome MULANEY on FOX. The show starts airing October 5th. Other than that i'm really excited to be continuing my Role of Mommy! I will be giving birth to my 2nd son December 6th. However around March of 2015 I will be performing my One Woman Show "3: BLACK GIRL BLUES" and will also begin shooting a film I've been working on called UNSOUND. 

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