Who is Tracy Ann Chapel?

The Charlotte M. Valentine Interview…..

Charlotte M. Valentine: Why this choice, this life style?

Tracy Ann Chapel: Sometimes I just want to say; “I don’t know” and just skip it and go to the next question, but I know the answer. I do. I have to do this. There is no other choice for me. I would find myself doing other things and crying or angry for no reason. Hate that. It feels right for me … kind of a “do or die” thing.

CMV: Who are you really?

TAC: A very shy and little girl who likes to laugh.

CMV: Why the interest in acting?

TAC: Maybe, it’s the kid in me, who could never come out. My parents were really strict and never around. I never really learned how to “play” and laugh and have fun.

CMV: So you were a really shy kid?

TAC: Yep, voted the shyest kid in my high school class. I didn’t like that too much so I took a drama class to work it out … though it would be easier saying someone elses words than my own …. maybe Mom would understand me then.

CMV: Did she?

TAC: No. The theatre thing made things worse. My confidence improved …. I got into costuming for approval and was even offered a college scholarship in theatrical costuming. Mom didn’t go for it. Theatre didn’t work so I tried other things. My Mom was an oil painter. I became an oil painter. Another bad choice. My college painting teacher wanted me to go to the second year course and just skip the first year. My teacher liked my painting that much …….. Mom refused to help things got complicated. So no costuming. No theatre. No art. My parents said they wouldn’t support it and besides, Mom felt I was only capable of becoming a secretary who married the boss. I couldn’t do that. She did that. Sooo … I left home when I was eighteen years old.

CMV: What happened next?

TAC: Well, I worked as a makeup artist in a department store ….. at least the name had “art” in the title. I made no money and had a green apple everynight for dinner. I lost weight and became flat broke. I decided to fashion model for a second job. I liked the work and the wardrobe was nice. I had a lot of fun.

CMV: So you liked playing dress up?

TAC: At the time? I wanted more … I think …. Now, I still love it and am glad to get the work. I will never forget a runway job where I cut up and got my first laughs …. by patting my fake belly modeling maternity clothes ……… I just couldn’t resist. Thank God, my agent was there and he loved it!

CMV: So you were testing the waters then?

TAC: Something was coming out. I really liked it. I wanted to perform so I did costumes for the theatre again. I was looking for something. I got my chance; not in theatre though. I was asked to join a dance troop. I liked their coustumes so I said “Yes”….. I had never danced anything besides a little Ballet and modern. I auditioned and the director said,”Ok, she can dance.” I learned the dances fast and didn’t give up. So I danced. And danced … folk, russian character …. a little ballroom.

CMV: What happened to the talking?

TAC: Well, I was working on that. I think. I moved to San Francisco and took an acting class. Got some acting work and joined The Screen Actors Guild. I went to clown school at the San Francisco School of Circus Arts. Then I broke my leg on the way to a dance gig. Soooooo ….. I couldn’t dance. I couldn’t work. I had to talk.  Acting and clowning became first priority and dance last.

CMV: Okay, …. What’s going on? You dropped out of sight for a few years.

TAC: No time for fun and games I thought …. With my leg in a cast, I did everything I could. I cleaned houses for rich people in a cast and all of a sudden, everyone wanted me. I was in demand to clean their stuff. Hmmmm … the cast came off and I got a real job. I worked for Vera Wang at Saks and sold wedding gowns to rich people. More rich people. I did some theatre and kept the classes going. My boss there told me I couldn’t work for Vera and do theatre work. I could not take anymore roles. No rehearsals. No acting classes. I had to be available twenty-four / seven.

CMV: Wait a minute, you said;  ”You had to do” performance work?

TAC: Sales is performing isn’t it? I talked myself into it …… and then … I had a husband who was working for a start up company that seemed to just keep “starting up” ….. whatever that means …….. and a regular pay check was just not happening for him. My Dad quit performing for his family. Maybe, I thought I had to do the same thing. Everyday, I talked myself out of it ….

CMV: Is this where the “Do or die” comes in?

TAC: Yep, I wasn’t living and “Doing” that’s for sure. Then one day, I got really sick and almost died in intensive care. They kept me there for 12 days.

CMV: That’s a long time to be in the hospital.

TAC: Yea, you are forced to stop everything in your life. Really made me think about what I was doing. God must of said; “That’s it!” “STOP IT!!” “Hold it!!!” You know, those near death experiences, they really do have an effect. I started changing my life. Changing things for my dreams and me. I started to see myself as a person who sees their dreams through …

CMV: So what are you doing now?

TAC: I’m laughing loud and having fun being myself and I dare myself to do things.

CMV: Glad to know you are daring. Okay. What is your favorite color?

TAC: Green. My eyes are green and I like them … (laughs)

CMV: ….. And your birth sign?  …. I have it somewhere in my notes …..

TAC: Leo.

CMV: …. And your favorite person?

TAC: My twin sister.

CMV: Desert Island friend?

TAC: That’s gotta be a guy!

CMV: Okay. I agree. Who?

TAC: An Actor?…that would have to be someone like Daniel Craig or Pierce Bronsan. You could do a lot with one of them …….. ‘James Bond 007′… Why not?

CMV: Tracy, Would you like to say or share anything else?

TAC: What do you mean?!

CMV: Could be anything you want to say.

TAC: Like don’t forget to close the door and flush? … bad joke …..

CMC: No, not quite; something special to you ….

TAC: I know, I heard a quote on the TV ‘ The Actor’s Studio’ … Anthony Hopkins said it from Shakespeare … “Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.”

CMV: Works for me.

CMV: Thank you, Tracy! I enjoyed this time together.

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Interview location: North Beach, San Francisco, California 

Photo by Enzo OZ