Christians in Cinema

“Competitive roller skater” would probably not be the first thing that comes to mind when looking at photos of Stacey J. Aswad. But this gifted dancer choreographer, and actress keeps such a crazy schedule that you can imagine her zipping from place to place on her skates. Probably the most fun job she has is hosting the promotional TV show for Walt Disney World to highlight their latest attractions. Catching a few minutes with Stacey for an interview was challenging, but once we connected, we had a great time talking about her life, her career, and her cats.

As an actress, I want to do great work and do it consistently with great people.

Stacey, right now viewers can see you on TBN as part of the cast of 7th Street Theater. How did you become part of that show?

Stacey: I have an agent who had worked with Dave Christiano (writer/director/producer of 7th Street Theater) that knew he was putting together a weekly TV series. They knew he had an idea for a weekly TV series and thought I might be interested.

I liked the idea of being part of a project in the developmental stages (7th Street Theater is the first weekly prime-time Christian drama), it was close to where I was living and an opportunity to be working constantly. So, we put my audition on tape and sent it to Dave.

We met in Asheville for 3 ½ hours and talked about the series. In the end, he offered me the role of Andi (one of 3 female characters). It felt very seamless, like everything that had lead up to me coming to Charlotte was bringing me there to be part of this project.

Dave is the primary writer, and in part he wrote around us (the cast) and the talents we have and accents we can do. He’s a perfectionist and wants to show to be the very best it can be. If I don’t understand the theme of a scene or how a line needs to be played, he’s open to discussing it. There is some flexibility that if it’s just not working, we can think about changing it.

Even in the midst of some big challenges, the cast and crew chemistry was fantastic and eventually things came together. Even when we’re frustrated, we know it’s for a bigger cause and get along really well.

The theme of the show is 5 Christian actors doing a weekly stage show. Sometimes the main storyline is regarding issues that happen around creating the theme of the weekly stage show. At other times the stories come from issues in the characters’ lives.

We shot the first 12 shows in about 8 weeks. Sometimes we’d shoot 3 scenes in 1 day from 3 different episodes. It was kind of crazy trying to remember where you were in each episode. The second 12 episodes of the first season were shot in the late spring and early summer, right after Memorial Day. We filmed until July 4th.

There was an interesting progress of the characters and our relationships through that first season. It was good to see that evolve. My schedule during that time was challenging. I think I drove the 240-mile round-trip from Asheville to Charlotte about 22 times in those first 8 weeks.

Even when we’re frustrated, we know it’s for a bigger cause and get along really well.

I was living and working in Charlotte; teaching dance and choreographing, and booking other acting work. I’d drive up to Asheville about 5 AM, shoot until the early afternoon, return to Charlotte and work until 9 PM at night.

Sometimes I thought I was nuts to be doing this, but we laughed a lot, and had very strong camaraderie as a cast and crew. I’m very blessed to be part of this project, I love what I’m doing. This is happening at a very critical time. It’s an important, ground-breaking piece of television.

Have you begun shooting the 2nd season?

Stacey: Our castmates in North and South Carolina start filming in April and Jack (Kelly) and I will go in May. It will be interesting to see how things progress from the 1st season to the 2nd one. We’ve all learned so much – there was really a lot of unknown when we started this.

I really hope the show has been seen by someone other than all of our families. It’s really been a big leap of faith, but it’s worth the try.

This is a Christian show about Christians involved in Christian theater playing on a Christian network (TBN). Are Christians your intended audience, or do you hope to go beyond “the choir”, so to speak?

Stacey: There definitely is a built-in audience with TBN. People who watch that network are looking for shows with uplifting messages, or shows that challenge you about something. They may even find help coming to life decisions.

We are trying to reach people who are Christians, but we’re not preaching to them. Some of the episodes are touching and dramatic, and sometimes they’re lighter and just entertaining. Our characters are likeable people who are also Christians. I think it will get people talking and in discussions with one another.

The series has the possibility of uniting people who are interested in what’s out there other than “reality TV”. Our show has the potential to leave you better after watching it, which can’t be said about some television programs.

No one will be offended in terms of subject matter. They might disagree, but they won’t feel diminished or degraded. We have universal themes that will in some ways appeal to everyone, no matter your belief system.

We are producing something that an entire family from 8 to 80 can sit down and watch together. Parents won’t have to worry about what their kids are seeing, or jump up to turn the channel because there’s something morally objectionable.

One two-part episode is about the character Jamie falling in love with a woman . It tackles the subject of marriage and divorce and what are the right and wrong choices with the issues he has to confront.

You also filmed a movie with Dave Christiano. How was that experience compared with the TV show?

Stacey: Dave talked about the movie (Me & You, Us, Forever) while we were filming the TV series. He told us it was a love story based on a situation in his own life. He had the male and female leads cast at the time.

I was going to read for the role of the secretary and best friend of the female lead. The original female lead was older, and Dave decided that it would be better for the female lead to be younger. So, he cast me in that role and ended up having to re-cast the male lead for other reasons.. It was a huge surprise for me.

Our show has the potential to leave you better after watching it.

I went from planning to be on the set for a couple of days in a couple of scenes to being the lead. It was very exciting! I was finishing up a run in a stage play at the same time we were doing some of the shooting, so there I was multi-tasking again!

Dave will shoot something until he absolutely gets what he wants, even if it requires double-digit takes. He’ll say “OK, that was great. Let’s do it again!” The pace on a movie is much different than television.

With a movie you’re often filming at multiple locations, which creates logistical challenges. Our TV series is on a closed set. We have multiple interior locations, but they’re all within the same building. With 7th Street Theater, we had to shoot multiple scenes in one day as quickly as possible and still insure the quality and continuity. With the movie we did have a little more time to get the shots we needed.

Is your character in the movie similar to your character in 7th Street Theater?

Stacey: Not really, and that was one of the initial challenges of this movie. When I read the script, I read it as different from Andi (Stacey’s character on 7th Street Theater). Dave had a hard time at first not seeing me as my character, Andi.

He didn’t read me in the role of the movie character before we started filming. I felt very responsible to take care of the story because it’s very personal for him. It’s a slice of his life and he is very intimately connected with the material. I was very aware of this and the need to be sympathetic to that. Eventually it came together and I think the character worked out very well.

You’re living in LA now. Are you hoping to break into more mainstream work?

Stacey: I’ve been working on other projects for the last couple of years which have created other opportunities for me. Those opportunities are part of the reason I decided to move to Los Angeles. As an actress, I want to do great work and do it consistently with great people.

In the first episode of 7th Street Theater, my character auditions for a big commercial that has the potential to pay a large amount of money. She’s very excited by that, but also presented with choices about which side of the line she’s on. She has to decide if she’s going to stay and do the commercial or walk away in order to stay true to God’s standards.

In this business, that’s a constant thought. I know who I am and what my boundaries are. If I don’t make those decisions beforehand, then someone else will make them for me. I have to decide if the price is too high to pay and live with that for the rest of my life so I had better like me and the choices that I make.

I feel very welcomed in a place that encourages my creativity.

I was raised in a very close family with strong principles and I’m not going to throw that out the window. I believe I can work successfully and maintain the correct standards. I want my entire family to see my work and be proud that it’s me. Any successes I have had and continue to have, I share with them. We are a team. I haven’t sold out just because I’m a working actress in Hollywood.

I am very selective. I’m really glad I came out here with more life experience because every day there are choices put in front of me that if made a certain way could negatively affect my life. I’m lucky to have some of my dearest friends from back in New York out here, as well as Jack Kelly, a castmate from 7th Street Theater. It’s good to have a supportive element.

I moved out here about 3 months ago and am doing quite a bit of commercial work. That’s good, but Theater, TV and film is really where I want to be. I’m working on my craft because it’s important to grow and challenge myself. As I continue to want to get bigger and better things, I need to be at the top of my game.

I had never really had formal training until I came out here, so I’m getting as much of that as I can. Each place I’ve chosen to study complements the others. I don’t feel conflicted, but have the opportunity to meet people and be up with the latest and greatest about what’s going on in the business and the craft.

The roles you’ve had are pretty varied. Is it difficult for you to adapt to that?

Stacey: I believe that every character I’ve portrayed has a piece of me in it. I’m the girl who’s having a great time at the Walt Disney World theme parks. I love going down there, it is so fun and really challenging to do. I just did a play with a character who was cynical about love, marriage and men, and part of me can relate to that.

Andi (from 7th Street Theater) is a working actress and a woman who likes to believe that people are good and good things can happen. That fits me really well.

I take each role, try to find that part about the character that is very “Stacey-like”, and work from there.

Do you have family out on the West Coast who can support you?

Stacey: My family is mostly back on the east coast. I got to go back East for about a week at Christmas in order to sell my house, pick up my cats and my car. We’re not really traditional in that we have to be together at the holidays on the calendar, although we certainly try.

I have a big family so if we’re together and it’s July 14th, it’s Christmas and everyone’s birthdays too. We create holidays or moments when it’s opportune for all of us. We really go in the moment and are very flexible.

One of the biggest blessings in my life is my family. My parents and four sisters are huge supporters and very accomplished and creative in their own lives. My family always attended the productions I was in. They nurtured and understood who I am and what I did, for which I’m eternally grateful. It means the world to me that they never said I couldn’t be successful as a performing artist.

I know who I am and what my boundaries are.

My independence and drive to get things done is in large part due to how they treated and raised me. There was always music blaring in our house; everything from Leontyne Price to Tony Bennett. And there was lots of talking and laughing and COOKING!!!! .

We all have the same cell phone company so we get free long distance calls. My parents would have LOVED that when we were all in college! My nieces and nephews like to send me text messages all the time. They had to show me how to respond though!. I’m creative – not an electronics whiz.

Since you’re so separated from your family, is there someone close to you who provides wise counsel or accountability when you need it?

Stacey: I have some very dear friends outside of my family that I can trust. I do trust my own instincts because I believe they’re divinely guided. If I stand still long enough and be quiet, I will receive the guidance necessary. I usually come to correct conclusions because of that, and ultimately it’s the best and the most organic.

I believe our intuition is God-given, and that it is something we can develop and nurture. The more we pay attention to it and rely on it, the louder it speaks to us. There have been times I’ve really been tested and challenged and in pain. When I open up my hands and say “OK, I have done all I can,” I realize that it’s bigger than me, then the answers and the clarity and the peace comes. I

don’t believe in accidents or coincidences. Everything and everyone is intentionally put into my path, and intense learning experiences and joyful ones are divinely put there too. In times I was really tested, I believe it happened for specific reasons. There was something very powerful I was supposed to learn. For that I am so grateful.

I have ways that I nurture the gift of being really connected to myself, others, my surroundings and my spirit. I really like my agents, acting teachers and coaches out here. From a business standpoint I’m with people who are my advocates and want me to do well. They are supportive of me as an actor and a person. I feel very welcomed in a place that encourages my creativity.

I haven’t sold out just because I’m a working actress in Hollywood.

Do you have much downtime, and what do you like to do when you have opportunities to relax?

Stacey: I love artistic roller-skating. I have found a place to skate out here, and may try to get back into competition if I can. (Stacey is a 5-time national champion) I was a dancer for a long time so when I can get into class I love that. I was a certified personal fitness trainer in New York, so anything fitness related is great. I love yoga, Pilates and weight-lifting.

I love living in LA because I can usually put on my backpack and do my errands walking around in my neighborhood. I could walk for days but please don’t make me jog! I used to be on a sailboat racing crew – I love the wind and water. I really love the mountains, hiking and camping.

There are some “indoor” things I enjoy; throwing a big dinner party, cooking, baking, knitting, writing in my journal, reading, and anything with my cats. I really enjoy traveling. I have been all over the U.S. and Mexico and a few different countries in Europe, but haven’t gotten to Italy. I’d really love to go there and to Greece. I do miss the East Coast because I love all the seasons, especially the fall and winter, with all of the snow.

Are there any other projects we should be watching for?

Stacey: I am the host of a documentary movie called “Finding Kraftland “. It was inspired by my show “Top 7 Must Sees” at Walt Disney World. It is a funny, quirky and touching story about a father and son’s relationship and life together.

The director “discovered” me while he was vacationing in Orlando and brought me out to LA to film the movie back in 2005. It was in the 2007 Santa Barbara Film Festival and is going to be shown at the 2007 Sonoma Valley Film Festival in April as part of a tribute to John Lassiter (head of PIXAR and Disney Animation). It has also been selected to screen in Festivals in Ohio, Wales, Spain and possibly other countries as well.

And, of course, the next time you go to Walt Disney World, turn on your television and I’ll be there telling you all about the fabulous rides and attractions in the parks. If you want to see me without going all the way to Florida, I also have a national Selsun Blue shampoo commercial running right now.

Stacey, thank you for your time. We’ll look forward to seeing you on Saturday nights in 7th Street Theater on TBN, and many other things. We wish you the best in your career.

Stacey: Thank you so much for your time and support and abundant blessings to you!