We would be really interested in having you talking about all of this...
First of all, very unusual for an actress/singer, you got a classical cello-education. Why did you decide to do so? And how far was this helpful for your future career?
- I wanted to learn to play the drums originally but my dad thought that this was too loud. So my decision was to learn to play the cello. I was wanting it for a whole year. After I started to get my lessons there was so much improvement that I was invited to play in the chamber orchestra of my local music school. I stayed there. When I was 14 I bought my own cello from the money I got for my confirmation. My mother helped me financially as well. Still it was not that kind of education that helped and formed my future. The classical education is only an informative and a rough guideline. My path was built on the practical experiences I made and it just went its way. Also I just followed my intuition. It is never to late to start something new or to learn something new.... That is why I have been taking drum lessons for the last three weeks... laughing
You participated in famous TV-productions such as the German ARD-production „Die Kommissarin“ with Hannelore Elsner and especially the German Pro 7 production „18 – Allein unter Mädchen“ as the main character „Catharina“. How did this phantastic role happen? What kind of experiences did you make through those TV shows?
- That was really funny. My acting coach told me to do castings during my second year of classes. He already got one for me as well. I agreed and until the „final-re-call“ I was really convinced to try out for a little role for some kind of commercial. When I got the call that I would be the main character „Catharina“ in the Pro 7 production „18...“ I was just crying and screaming and my coach Peter Kock was really happy for me.
The role with Hannelore just happened like this since I got to know her by accident on a party and she just asked me whether I would like to play on TV.
Well in that time I made a lot of experiences, some were positive, some were negative ones.
My boyfriend back then could not accept the changes I made through the role of Catharina. There were always fights. There were 52 days on the set and I had to play a very shy introvert girl. The thing was that I just could not stop that when I was at home. I had to learn to differentiate between job and home.
And then there were those kind of colleagues who thought that they had understood the art of acting and who had to emphasize thisall the time... The positive thing was the whole atmosphere. All the things that came along. The team and working on one character for a longer time period. A lot of times I sat with the technician guys at the end of a day and heard how they experienced the day. A lot more interesting than the whole acting-gibberish... ;-)
After the TV productions there was a very special project with the name „Ich brülle vor Lachen inmitten allerheftigstem Leids“ („I cry out laughing during the hardest suffering“). Screenplay and directing both from you. Tell us about this time. Was that a big dream that came true for you?
- Yes, that piece was all done by myself as a final work (diploma). But when I started to write the first monologes I had some thoughts of „why don't you do your own little thing“? I developed the concept and four weeks later it was written on paper. I practiced with my pianist and we rehearsed for about two weeks. Then it was ready – more or less. We were able to go on stage with it. I like it if not every single minute of the plays is rehearsed and practised, if there is some room for improvisation. That just gives me the real „kick“. And then it was just the „innocent“ flair that made the play so special. I got a prize from my university and still today they ask me about it. I plan on performing it again next year....
And again a change of genre: The main part of the musical „Cabaret“ in Berlin. How did you come into the musical business? Was it a new challenge for you to combine acting with singing? What did you learn from this time for yourself?
- No, not at all. I love the challenge. And I have a singing and dancing education. I was even asked to perform Sally Bowles (Cabaret) again in Berlin („Bar jeder Vernunft“) starting from november 2, 2007 and I am really looking forward to it....
Now a new climax: The band project „Banaroo“ from SuperRTL which just ended recently. You were one of the four band members of Banaroo, one of the most successful bands in Germany. The band even received two nominations for the German Echo-prize. How did you come into the band? What was your life like as a band member?
- Yes it just happened like this: I had enough of Berlin and after my diploma from my university I wanted to do something else. I played Sally Bowles in Berlin as an understudy. At the same time I performed with a rock band. From my keyboarder I got the tip about SuperRTL and then one lead to the other.
With our first single we had our breakout. During the next two and a half years we received 2x Platin, 4x Gold, 2x nominations for the Echo and 1x nomination for the Comet prize. We had even success in countries like Australia, Lithuania, Poland, Canada etc. Our last single was the summer hit on the Faroeser Islands (between Estland and Norway). We performed everywhere. But now after almost three years it is time for us all to start something new. So we had our last performance on September 2, 2007.
I can not stay with one project for more than two or three years. At one time there is an inner clock that tells me to go and find something new...
You received two jobs through StagePool already. What kind of projects were they? And how do you like StagePool's concept? Will you still use it for your future job search?
- Yes – thanks to StagePool – I participated a couple times on Musicalgalas and film productions. I like your concept since I would not have had heard of some jobs through my agency if it was not because of StagePool.
Thank you very much for this – very personal – interview! We wish you the best on you future path!!
Dear Stefany, you have already done quite many very successful productions – on stage and in front of the camera. Finally you became one of the four official band members of „Banaroo“.
