Caroline moved to Chicago from South Texas in the fall of 2004 to study theatre at Columbia College. The first play she saw in town was Steep Theatre’s Incident at Vichy and she immediately fell in love with the strong, ensemble-based work she saw and remembers very vividly being amazed at what theatre is, what it can be, and the vast opportunity is has to change the world around you.
She became an ensemble member in early 2008 has grown exponentially as an artist thanks largely in part to the high standards Steep set for each of its productions. She has also served as Casting Director since 2010 and has had the great pleasure of casting some of the finest actors Chicago has to offer.
Since graduating from Columbia in 2007, she has had the distinct pleasure of getting to work with storefront institutions such as Strawdog, Mary-Arrchie, and Griffin Theatres, some upstarts like Jackalope and Pinebox Theatres, and mainstays of the Equity world, such as Next, Northlight, and Steppenwolf Theatres. She received her Equity card in the summer of 2012 thanks to her role as Irina in Tracy Letts’ adaptation of Three Sisters, directed by Anna D. Shapiro, and joined SAG-AFTRA in the summer of 2013 thanks to Chicago Fire. She can be seen in independent films such as Older Children and Open Tables, and on stages around Chicago. Caroline is also an ensemble member of Steppenwolf Theatre.
Caroline is so, so proud to call Steep her artistic home and is grateful for any excuse to spend time with her artistic family within our confines and beyond. [Bio c/o Steep Theatre]
What inspired you to be an actor?
– The first play I ever saw was Phantom of the Opera with my dad when it was on tour in the mid-90’s. I remember watching and as an audience member, feeling like part of something bigger, and more connected. I walked away knowing that I wanted to give people that sense of belonging that I felt.
How long have you been acting?
– I started taking acting in school when I was 11. We moved around a lot (about every 18 months-2 years) and middle school is a scary place. I learned early to try and find people in your first class that might invite you to sit with them at lunch, and theater happened to be the earliest class I could take that wasn’t sports or music at this particular school, and have stuck with it in different iterations ever since.
How do you prepare for the role?
– This is a really dissatisfying answer, but I learn my lines. I try not to make too many big decisions before first rehearsal because so many of my choices are informed by my scene partners, and the vision of the director and the playwright. I can get stuck if I live with a choice that I’ve made solo for a few months, and it can be difficult to change that once we get together in a room.
What role would you like to play? In Theatre, In Film ?
– I want to cycle through every role I can in Chekov – my appreciation and alliances with the characters changes as I get older. I’m also excited for new plays, so I think I’m more excited about future collaborations rather than existing roles! As far as film/tv – I’d really love to play a complex anti-hero. There are so few roles for femme identifying folks in that arena that it’s one I’d love to explore.
Having worked on screen and on stage, do you have a preference, and why do you prefer it?
I think I prefer stage, only because I appreciate the chronological order of it all, but on camera stuff is so different because it’s exercising a muscle that I don’t use a lot, SO. Lots of growth on stage, lots of early learning on camera.
And if you have achieved your “dream role” what was it?
– I’ve been so lucky to work on plays that I love with people that I love and respect. Krista in “Airline Highway” was one I was not ready to let go at closing – I feel like I still had so much to learn and the experience around it was one of the the most thrilling and life changing so far.
And how did you achieve to be able get your dream role?
– I was able to do a couple workshops when it was in early stages, and worked really, really hard on my audition. The play took place in New Orleans and I’d never been so made a trip down to get a better idea of the environment of the story.
Is it realistic to have a “dream role”?
– Sure! If it’s something that motivates you, great, as long as it doesn’t become a detriment to your psyche if you don’t get it. Hopefully if we’re doing it right and learning and growing from every role we get to work on, every role could be a dream role.
How much compromise does an actor have to do to survive in this business?
– I think we need to be flexible in our ideas – shifting our tactics and choices isn’t compromise, it’s collaboration. As far as comfort and safety I think we should be doing very little compromise. It’s easy to forget that we have agency when we DO!
What advice do you usually give for upcoming actors?
– Be on time, be prepared, and don’t be a dick (can I say that? If not, then I’d say be nice and exciting to work with!).
What can you tell them about the entertainment industry that they should be prepared for?
– A “no” is not a referendum on your talent and ability, rather think of it as a “not right now”. There are so many things in the casting process that are so beyond our control, that every audition is an opportunity to learn. Also – make friends with people in your demographic. It’s much more fun to celebrate your friends that got that role, than feeling sad that you didn’t.
If you were not in the entertainment business of acting, what do you think you find yourself doing?
– I love hospitality. I’ve always wanted to get through some of the sommelier tests.
Chicago PD questions:
Caroline Neff and Jason Beghe on Chicago PD
What is the best part of playing Olive Morgan on Chicago PD?
– I’ve gotten to learn so so much on set. It works incredibly efficiently because they all know what they’re doing behind the scenes SO WELL! I’ve also loved getting to work with every actor – they’ve cast really talented folks.
Do you have a favorite Olive Morgan scene and line?
– I have a couple – one was the first dinner scene I had with Hank. It was such a beautiful set up and he was really lovely about how to make the scene tender. I also honestly loved when the car exploded. That was WILD.
My 16-year-old daughter wants me to ask you, “How does it feel to be in a scene with Jason Beghe?”
– He’s intense! He takes his job seriously, can also be super collaborative and is able to keep things moving along, which I appreciated!
Do you have a memorable moment on Chicago PD that you can to share?
– Amy Morton (Sgt. Trudy Platt) and I are friends in a theatre company together, and my first day on set also happened to be my birthday, so when I wrapped for the day she told everyone in advance and they sang me happy birthday on my way out and she gave me a beautiful necklace. I felt so so special. Also – that car explosion. It was so cool to watch.
