All the world’s a stage, though Laverne Cox, Judith Light, and John Lithgow are more than mere players – they are winning and presenting Lifetime Achievement Awards with the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Last April, D.C.’s renowned Shakespeare Theatre Company held its annual gala at the Anthem. This year’s theme was a celebration of the relationship between the US and the UK, bringing together artists, leaders and establishments on both sides of the pond. Wild Side’s Founder and CEO, Monica Alford got the exciting opportunity to interview this year’s Gala honorees on the purple carpet and other notable figures, including STC artistic director, Simon Godwin and renowned BBC presenter, Katty Kay.
Though the star-studded gala honorees are regulars of Entertainment towns to the likes of New York City and L.A. they each share beginnings in the Theatre and special, unique relationships to the Washington, D.C arts scene, which they were enthusiastic to open up about with Wild Side’s Monica Alford.
Before entering the chandelier-adorned concert venue, John Lithgow was the first to approach and express his gratitude for being honored this year.
An acclaimed actor, known for his work both in Hollywood and on Broadway, John Lithgow is an Academy Award nominee, Tony Award winner, and six-time Emmy award winner whose versatility has taken him to tremendous heights. From “Interstellar” to “3rd Rock From The Sun” to “Dexter,” Lithgow’s talent has shown in numerous supporting and lead roles throughout the last five decades. But before he became well-acquainted with D.C. as a young professional, opening three Broadway-transfer plays in the District, he shared his early love for the city’s architecture and museums as a 13-year-old aspiring artist.
“I wanted to be an artist and I was very serious about it,” Lithgow said. “They [my aunt and uncle] took me to the National Gallery and dropped me off two mornings in a row. My first profound and great museum experience.”
Shortly to follow with a special fondness for Washington, D.C. was the other Shakespeare Theatre Company Lifetime Achievement award recipient, Judith Light. A true shining light (no pun intended) the actress has an incredible Broadway resume with two Tonys under her belt and a huge body of work in TV/Film on top of her honorable work in LGBTQIA+ and HIV/AIDs activism. Appearing as the titular role in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s iconic 2001 production of “Hedda Gabbler.” Light reflects on her connection to both STC and the District.
“To be celebrated by this particular theatre is very meaningful,” Light said. “I remember just the extraordinary audiences when I was here. This is a theatre town! I love Washington. It’s one of the places I’ve always said that I could live other than New York and Los Angeles…I’ve just always been very connected to this city, to the politics, to the culture, to the people. This is the seed of our democracy. “
It wasn’t long before Laverne Cox made her way across the purple carpet and mentioned to Alford her summer spent in D.C. doing a ballet summer program at the Universal Ballet Academy, now the Kirov Academy of Ballet. Cox is best known for her standout role in “Orange is the New Black” and was the first trans person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy award. On top of bringing trans representation to Hollywood and doing remarkable work for LGBTQIA+ equality, Laverne Cox got her start as an actor with theatre training.
Whether it be a childhood summer memory or a significant regional show debut these luminaries of Performing Arts all regard D.C. as a vibrant city full of impactful storytelling.
Head here to see Alford’s full red-carpet interviews and here to catch our gala recap reel.