To #ONECHICAGO fans she is best remembered as “Jalissa Harris” on Chicago Med Season 4. 15 “We Hold These Truth” and Miss Frannie on Chicago P.D. “Chasing Monsters” Season 5.13. A Chicagoan, Taylar has been a working actor both on screen and on stage over the years.
1. What inspired you to be an actor?
Growing up I enjoyed going to the movies and watching my favorite television programs, but I never thought about becoming an actor. My entry into the business was totally unintentional.
To summarize: a friend decided to start a shelter for Homeless and Battered women and children. To help with financing, she put together a fashion show fundraiser and asked me to participate as a model, to which I agreed. During our first production meeting, I suggested a short skit of a woman in this situation to highlight the lack of and/or available resources. Her journey would culminate to the moment where it was revealed she was the individual behind the fundraising event. Everyone thought it was a great idea and before the meeting was over, I had been coerced into writing, casting, and directing the play. Prior to this, I’d never done anything remotely resembling this. I was a wife, mother of 3, working in corporate America, who was just helping a friend out.
I enlisted the help of 4 of the models (one of whom was a co-worker.) A few days before the fundraiser/play was to commence, one of the models/actors became ill and wasn’t able to participate. Of course, as the writer, I stepped in. This was my “FIRST” performance ever! The play and event were received with a standing ovation, smiles and tears and the catalyst to conversations were priceless. Financial support was generously given, and my friend was well on her way to seeing her dream materialize.
Needless to say, after everything was over, I collapsed at home but once recovered, realized that I enjoyed what had just happened and wanted to tell more stories and provoke more conversations and contribute to the narratives of our society. The universe answered me. My co-worker (who was also a volunteer model), informed me of beginning acting classes through the local Chicago Park District. I registered for evening classes under the training of former actor/instructor, Ron Sam and the rest, as they say is history.
2. How long have you been acting?
I was hired for my first professional play at ETA Creative Arts Theatre in Chicago in 1994 as an understudy for the 3 female roles in “Goin to the Club,” but I did my first play in 1993 with theatre students attending Harold Washington College, performing in churches in the Hyde Park area.
3. How do you prepare for the role?
I prepare for roles by reading the script numerous times, becoming intimately invested in the given traits, circumstances, and objectives provided by the playwright. Reviewing the dramaturgy material, conducting my own research, and trusting my own life experiences to bring authenticity and transparency to the character and story.
4. What role would you like to play? In Theatre, In Film?
I consider myself shy, nurturing, and an introvert, but the roles I enjoy playing most are complex, controversial, empowering, and in your face!
I’ve been blessed to perform in wonderful stage productions, but a role I would love to perform is “Ruth” in “A Raisin In the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry and “Martha” in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” by Edward Albee.
In Film and television, I so enjoy the television series, “This Is Us” and “Lovecraft Country” and would love Series Regular roles! I currently have a film streaming “Ms. White Light” with Roberta Colindrez, Judith Light & John Ortiz which has an interesting storyline.
5. Having worked on screen and on stage, do you have a preference, and why do you prefer it?
I’ve worked on screen and stage and each fulfills my creativity in different ways. I can’t say that I prefer one over the other. Live theatre lends unique energy that only a live audience evokes. Theatre affords the performer opportunities to constantly birth nuances and make new discoveries that can be incorporated to aid the continued enrichment of the performance over the 4 to 6 weeks journey.
Television doesn’t allow such luxury but challenges you in other ways. There are differences in pace, last-minute copy changes, how smaller movements/nuances are able to be captured, and the permanency of film. It heightens and compresses everything, and you’re limited time, takes, and discoveries, you must be on point the moment you hear those words “And…Action!”
6. Every actor has a “dream role”, (series of questions)
a. if you have not done it yet, what would it be?
b. And if you have achieved your “dream role” what was it?
c. And how did you achieve to be able get your dream role?
d. Is it realistic to have a “dream role”?
I’ve been blessed to actually perform one of my dream roles on stage.
It was as Mama Nadi in the Lynn Nottage play “Ruined” which I was cast in the lead role as an understudy at Goodman Theatre. Although in Chicago I didn’t get an opportunity, two months after closing in the Midwest and at its Opening Night Premiere in New York, that dream materialized. Although not cast as the understudy in New York, by happenstance, I was there for the Opening Night Weekend at the invite of a friend in the production. After Opening Night, the actress for Mama Nada became ill and could not do the full weekend. The cast informed the stage manager and executive producers that the Chicago understudy was in town and I was asked to perform that very evening! Nerves on high, adrenaline rushing, and one read-through of the script, two months after putting it to rest in Chicago, and I found myself on Manhattan Theatre Club’s Mainstage performing as Mama Nadi to a sold Off-Broadway crowd. Three hours later, curtains arose to a standing ovation.
Do you ask if having a “dream role” is realistic? Yes. And it can come when you least expect it. When you stop dreaming, you stop striving and you just begin to float, without purpose. Life is too precious to live aimlessly.
7. How much compromise does an actor have to do to survive in this business?
In my world, compromise is closely related to discipline. I may compromise leisure time for using it to become better at my craft, etc. I have morals and values instilled via my faith, family upbringing, and own perspective on the importance of self-respect, health, integrity and having a healthy view of money, wealth, and success. That dictates the compromises and decisions I make in life.
8. What advice do you usually give for upcoming actors?
Take the craft seriously, do all that you can to hone your skills, make time for family, Stay true to yourself. Practice Self-Empowerment and Challenge yourself. Trust that when you get in the room, you belong there.
9. What can you tell them about the entertainment industry that they should be prepared for?
Like a rose, it’s a beautiful thing, but there are thorns.
10. If you were not in the entertainment business of acting, what do you think you find yourself doing?
I started out in Corporate America in the real estate industry as an executive assistant, commercial leasing assistant and assistant property manager. Due to the current pandemic, I may revisit some part of it while sorting my way through this new paradigm that Covid 19 has placed our world and industry.
Chicago PD questions:
1. What is the best part of playing Ms. Frannie on Chicago PD?
I love portraying strong female characters who aren’t afraid to get dirty. Wheeling that bat was a delight.
2. Your scene on Chicago PD is with LaRoyce Hawkins and Patrick John Flueger, was it your first time meeting both Royce and Paddy? Brief as it seemed, how was the experience being on camera with two of the hottest men on television?
Lol! Yes, it was my first time meeting these two gentlemen. Let’s just say while in Ms. Frannie’s Bakery, they had the hottest buns. On a more serious note, it was great working with them. Their sense of humor made days on set very enjoyable.
3. Do you have a memorable moment on Chicago PD that you can share?
There was a moment in the scene where LeRoyce walks to the window wearing his shirt and apron. Well in a playful moment, he removed the shirt and I think if he’d left it like that, I would have had more customers that day.
We wouldn’t mind Ms. Frannie make a donut run around the Intelligence Unit at the 21st District.
