Alexandra Tavares: Embracing Complexity and Community Through Live Theater

Actor Alexandra Tavares recently joined Trae Holiday "The Day with Trae" to discuss her profound connection to live theater and her captivating role in the Intiman Theatre's upcoming production of "The Little Foxes." Tavares offered a compelling look into her acting journey, her approach to character development, and the unique magic she finds in collective storytelling.

Tavares' passion for theater was ignited in childhood, recalling that her mother would take her to performances in the Bay Area where she fell in love with the art form. While she was relatively late to the theater scene professionally, attending graduate school at the University of Washington marked the beginning of her journey as an actor. 

Since then, she has become a huge advocate for live arts and live storytelling, deeply believing in the healing power of shared theatrical experiences. "I truly do feel that people gathering together, experiencing something together... is healing. And it just connects us as a community and it bridges differences," she said. 

Delving into the art of character development, Tavares expressed a particular fascination with complex and morally ambiguous roles. As she's gotten older, the fun of characterization lies in "digging into a psychology that is complex and nuanced... and not very nice." She approaches these characters with an optimistic view of human psychology, believing that people are trying to survive within the given circumstances that they have. 

Tavares also highlighted how theater provides a unique imaginative space for adults. She interprets this as theater being "our chance to find joy, discovery, re-engage in curiosity and wonder,” comparable to children’s outlook on the world. Her return to the Intiman Theatre for "The Little Foxes" is a joyful one, as she considers the organization her home away from home, praising its culture and importance to the Seattle community. 

In "The Little Foxes," Tavares portrays Regina Giddens, a character she described as a product of generational trauma and an ambitious woman navigating limited avenues in 1900s Alabama. "She was working with the tools at hand. And she is brutal," she said about the character.

Despite Giddens’ difficult nature, Tavares finds points of connection, particularly through the shared experience of motherhood. "Me being a mom, I always find some sort of connection in that," she said. She also relates to the "female tap dance" of manipulation and the societal pressure for women to smile, experiences she labeled as universal for many women including herself. 

Tavares encouraged audiences to experience "The Little Foxes," running from October 15 to November 2 at the Erickson Theatre. Visit intiman.org/little-foxes to learn more. 

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