The West Coast Debutante herself tells us what's its like to be Los Angeles' own Scarlett O'Hara and confesses about her "One Night Stand" with Upright Cabaret...

Hi Haviland! Thank you so much for agreeing to talk with us a little bit! Let's get things rolling, shall we?

Q: First of all, you're from the south and your name is Haviland. (such a pretty name, btw!) Is there any correlation between your name and another certain Southern Belle whom you're often compared to?

A: First of all, thank you! I was blessed with the name. I actually used to bring my birth certificate into auditions, because no one believed it was the real deal. I was named after my very southern grandmother, not after the actress Olivia de Havilland. But I don't mind being compared positively to her, as she is amazing! And yes, she was in the movie that features one of my favorite icons, Scarlett O'Hara. My parents clearly had a marquis in mind on my day of birth. HA!

Q: You went to school in NY and have been based out of there for quite awhile but now you're out here in Los Angeles...How are you enjoying LaLa land?

A: I love lala land! It's so bright!

Q: Why the change of scenery?

A: The main reason was that I needed to challenge myself and my structural habits and I wanted to open myself up to different professional opportunities. I've been really happy here, and it's also made me appreciate NYC more each time I'm there.

Q: Do you have an favorite local haunts yet?

A: I'm obsessed with Yogurtland! I should probably have a flavor named after me, I go so often. Was that what you meant by "haunts?" Hm, probably not...

Q: On Thursday, you're making your west coast concert debut at Upright Cabaret. Can you tell us about the show?

It's this Thursday at 8pm at Mark's on La Cienega. It's an hour or so of me singing, with amazing musicians. We're going to have fun. The set is really versatile with incredible songs. I'm excited to get to use so many different parts of my voice and my personality. I'm all about the style shifts. Just when you think you know, you realize you have no idea.

Q: Now, you say that you'll be singing (and I quote) "80's pop to opera to country to musical theatre, and back again". That's quite the spectrum! Any particular favorite artists/composers you'll be featuring?

A: Oh, I love them all! I'm so fortunate to have singer/songwriter Kristy Hanson performing with me. She wrote a killer song for me to sing, and we're doing it for the first time in full, this thursday. I also am really excited about singing a song written by Ryann Ferguson and Steven Jamail from VOTE!, a musical that I've been involved with since the beginning of it's development.

Q: Which artists/performers would you say have had the most influence on you as a singer? Who are the people who made you want start singing and the ones you aspire to be like?

A: Bette Midler was the first person I watched whose entire being inspired me to the point that I consciously said, "That is what I want to do." I love her work, absolutely get it, connect to it. So, of course I'm doing one of her songs. I'm also covering Melissa Etheridge, Madonna, I'm going back to my classical roots with "Glitter and be Gay"...I'm telling you, it's all over the place! There is no spectrum like that of a West Coast Debutante.

Q: I have a friend who will kill me if I don't ask you this, so here ya go: What was it like performing on the Rosie Cruises and how did that experience come about?

A: I actually met Rosie back in the 90s while working on the film, NOW AND THEN, and became friends with her (and her beautiful family) when she joined the cast of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with me on the Broadway. She asked me to come along, and I ended up doing four of them. I wish everyone could have the experience of going on the cruise. It's very special.

Q: You've also been in episodes of The Battery's Down. What was that like and will you be in the second season at all?

A: I had so much fun shooting THE BATTERY'S DOWN. It depends on many factors, but there is a strong possibility of my character "Ellen" returning later this season. You never know!

Q: So now that's you're here in LA, what's the plan? Any chances you'll be returning to the stage?

A: Of course, darling!

Q: For those readers who don't know, you were recently in the Broadway revival ofLes Mis and went on as Fantine a for Miss Lea Salonga (who will be performing with Tim Draxl at Upright Cabaret this upcoming Sunday.) What was that experience like?

A: Well, I actually stepped in for the fabulous Daphne Rubin-Vega before Lea joined us. Both Daphne and Lea were so lovely! The experience? Singing "I Dreamed a Dream" in the Fantine corset and blonde wig on the revolving stage, for an audience of 1100 people on Broadway, with a full orchestra, the conductor 3 feet in front of me, breathing...it was a rush everytime I got to do it, of course! When you're Fantine, you hit that stage and don't stop. Very fun role, that one.

Q: As someone who has played the role of Fantine and sung "I Dreamed a Dream", what do you have to say about the whole Susan Boyle phenomenon?

A: It's such a hard time right now in the world and everyone is grasping for hope. People want good news; they're rooting for the underdog. Obviously, life hasn't killed the dream Susan Boyle dreamed!

Q: Since you're in Hollywood, any plans to do any movie/TV work while you're out here? If you could have a part on any show, what would it be?

A: Yes, absolutely, big plans, massive plans. Some of my favorite shows are MAD MEN, BIG LOVE, PARTY DOWN, IN TREATMENT, ENTOURAGE, PRIVATE PRACTICE. I'm also excited for GLEE and LEGALLY MAD.

Q: Now, you've already got your own recurring series going on. And by that, of course I'm referring to Vlogs of you & Riese Bernard. Can you tell the readers what that's all about?

A: About a year and a half ago, Riese suggested we make a vlog, so we did, for fun, and it kind of took off from there. It's really her creation - she edits them and does all the structuring. I'm kind of along for the ride. We had a great time doing them and obviously continue to change lives right and left with our brilliance and insight. ;-)

Well, Miss Stillwell, thank you so much for chatting with us and I can't wait for your big debut at Mark's on Thursday! Break a leg!

Thank YOU. Good luck with the new site!

Everyone be sure to come see Haviland at Upright Cabaret this Thursday, 8pm! To purchase tickets, click here!

To hear all about the latest and greatest from Haviland, visit her official website: www.havilandstillwell.com! Also be sure to check out www.kristyhanson.com for more info on Kristy, who will be performing one of her own songs with Haviland at Upright Cabaret and www.autostraddle.com for more Riese & Haviland shenanigans!

Kristin will be reading excerpts from her new book A Little Bit Wicked at 2pm at the LA Times Festival of Books this Saturday, April 25th at UCLA. There will also be a book signing. For more details and info, click here!

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Broadway Baby talks candidly with the West Coast Debutante herself about her Upright Cabaret show on Thursday and much, much more!

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- "Zack Oldham is one of the brightest comedians in America today. None match his talent and poise on stage. He's also quite handsome and will make someone very happy someday." -Zack's Mom

- "Good job." - Zack's Dad

- "You kinda over-act sometimes and it makes it less funny." - Zack's Little Brother



Monday April 20th @ 8pm
The Groundlings Theater
$10 at the door
Call (323) 934-4747 to reserve a seat

Broadway Baby’s Guide to Stage Door Etiquette

Please note: If you know somebody who commits of any of the “don’ts” listed below, you might want to casually post this where it’ll catch their eye. Or heck, go ahead and print it out, address it to the offender in big, bold letters, and include a quarter so they can buy a clue. Subtle or blunt, it doesn’t matter, as long as they get the message.

Article 1: Waiting in Line

Once the final bows have been taken and you’ve made it through the mass exodus and out to the stage door, there is usually a prolonged waiting period while the actors change out of their wardrobe, take off their makeup, and greet guests backstage. Even though the performers have not come out, you should still be on your best behavior.

-          Try as best you can form a single file line. This is to your benefit as well as everyone else’s because it allows the performer to see and acknowledge everyone who is waiting. If everybody seems to be clustering, don’t be afraid to take the lead or ask security for help.

-          Do NOT push, shove, crowd, etc. Someone could easily get hurt and it’s very overwhelming for the actors and security to get mobbed. The more chaotic things are, the more likely the actors will be to rush out of there or the more anxious security will be to shut things down.

-          Show a little generosity. If you have little kids, a person who is handicapped or elderly near you, let them go first. You’ll get your turn soon enough.

-          Do not ask the attendant if you can go backstage. This is not a rock concert, so bribery, pleading, or harassment will not get you an all-access pass. Be patient and wait outside with everyone else.

-          More likely than not, you are waiting to see the leads, but be sure to congratulate every performer as they exit the stage door and tell them that you enjoyed the show. Each performer from starring role to ensemble works equally as hard and is as vitally important in creating the show, so be sure and let everyone know their work was appreciated.

-          If you have something that you only want to have signed by a certain actor, do not take it out until that actor is close to approaching you. There is nothing ruder than indicating to other performers that you’re not interested in their autograph.

-          Have a care for what you say while you’re waiting in line. Gossiping/trash-talking the actors is never a good idea because you don’t know who might overhear you.  Keep in mind that most of the people at stage door are avid fans (most of them young) who look up to these actors and idolize them. Or even worse, you could be standing next to someone who actually knows the performer.  Just keep a lid on it until you get to the car. If you make some kid cry or get punched in the no-no’s, you’ll definitely regret it.

-          Try not to be a distraction to the other folks waiting in line. Shouting and cheering and running around trying to amp up the crowd isn’t necessary. Odds are most people feel jittery enough as it is and they don’t need you to make them feel any more freaked out.

Article 2: Appearance

Though you may think its shallow and irrelevant, the way you look should be taken into account. Just think about it. You’re dealing with professional actors in their professional environment. These people work very hard to leave you with a great impression. You should want to do the same.

-          Now, I realize that not everybody waiting at the stage door actually watched the show beforehand. Even though I may have some objections to it, trust me, I understand. Theater is expensive, the show was sold out and you couldn’t get tickets, you missed Him/Her the night before…blah, blah, blah. Whatever your excuse is, keep it to yourself. Nobody else needs to know that you didn’t see the show. Everybody else paid good money for their tickets and the stage door meet n’ greet is meant to be a privilege for the theater patrons. And the actors really don’t need to know that you weren’t at the show. You might be a little put off too if you found out someone was hanging outside your workplace at 11 o’clock at night just to catch a glimpse of you. The best way to not advertise to the world that you skipped the show is to dress accordingly. The theater is an upscale place. Don’t show up in a T-shirt and jeans. It just makes you look cheap and tacky.

-          I know there will be some protest to this next statement, but too bad. Unless you’re under the age of 12, dressing up in costumes is just not okay. This is the theater we’re talking about, not a Halloween party or a fan convention. Most likely, the people around you are more disturbed by your “enthusiasm” than impressed by it, so let’s just leave the costumes for the actors, shall we? I get that you’re doing it as a form of tribute, but just think about what your motivation is before you slather on the green face paint (or whatever):  Are you really showing appreciation for the performers’ work or are you just calling attention to yourself?

Article 3: Topics of Conversation

The moment of truth has arrived and you find yourself face-to-face with your favorite actor. What do you do? What should you say? Like everything else so far, its all about being respectful and courteous.

-          Before you say anything else, the first words out of your mouth should ALWAYS be a compliment on the actor’s performance. (Even if you didn’t see it). “You were great”, “I loved the show”, etc. are perfect examples. If you can, point out something about their performance that you specifically enjoyed, but don’t overdo it.

-          Keep it professional. While you may take pride in the fact that you know more about this performer’s personal life than they do themselves, odds are they might be creeped out by it, so steer clear of anything that isn’t performance/career-related. Personal events that are public knowledge, however, are acceptable to mention (marriage, new baby, etc.) Use your best judgment…if it feels like it might be TMI, it probably is.

-          Avoid bringing up onstage mishaps/mistakes/unfavorable performances. Most actors are hoping the audiences didn’t notice their occasionally slip-ups or just don’t want to think about them. It’s insulting to point such things out.

-          Be wary of how you phrase compliments that contain comparisons. Performers should feel like they are consistently good in every show they do, so by using phrases like “I liked this better than…” or “you were better tonight than…” implies that something else they did was “less than”. A better phrase to use would be “I liked it as much as…”. And obviously it is incredibly rude and unprofessional to compare one performer to another, so just don’t do it.

-          Don’t ask the actors to confirm or deny rumors/gossip for you, even if it is career-related. While actors are in negotiations to take on roles, they cannot say anything until the deal has been made and the contracts have been signed. If they announce publicly that they have the role before the papers have been signed, they could lose the role. So don’t pressure them to tell you something that puts their careers at risk. Also, you never know what the real foundation is behind the rumors. Perhaps the actor auditioned for the role and lost it. Bringing that up could be very hurtful. And, of course, asking the actors about backstage gossip or things involving their personal life is just completely inappropriate. These people are professionals, not your friends. Treat them accordingly.

-          Do NOT ask the actors if they’ve received your letters or gifts. Keep in mind that these performers receive an overwhelming amount of fan mail and gifts and it’s impossible that they’ll be able to keep track of it all. That’s not to say that they don’t appreciate it. But c’mon, do you remember every letter and present you’ve received? Putting the performer on the spot is just setting you up for disappointment and them up for embarrassment, so don’t ask. If curiosity gets the better of you and you just have to say something, graciously remind them of what you sent, i.e. “I had a gift basket delivered backstage to congratulate you. I hope you like it…” This gives them the chance to say thank you without feeling awkward for not remembering.

Article 3: Gifts

While we’re on the subject, let’s discuss the proper protocol for delivering gifts to the actors. Judgment and consideration is the key thing here.

-          Whenever possible, gifts should be left with the stage door attendants to be delivered to the actor’s dressing room BEFORE the show. Most actors like to decorate their dressing rooms with memorabilia from their fans, so it’s the best place to leave them. If you give it to them after the show, they just have to lug it to their car and leave it at home. Considering they perform 8 shows a week, the dressing room is probably the place where your gift will be given the most attention and be properly seen.

-          I understand that some gifts are highly-personal and detailed, so you might feel the need to give them to the actor personally. If that’s the case, then make sure you package it in something that the actor can carry easily, like a bag with strong handles. Heavy items should really always be delivered to their dressing rooms before the show.

-          Avoid giving the actors home-made food. I’m sure your cupcakes are better than everyone else’s, but unfortunately, we are living in an age where it’s just not safe for actors to eat food that’s been prepared by people they don’t know. Food that is prepared by licensed vendors and delivered by a professional service (pizzas, edible bouquets) is acceptable, as are treats that are properly packaged and sealed (Godiva chocolates, candy, wine). Again, use your best judgment. If someone you didn’t know sent you this, would you feel safe eating/drinking it?

-          Once again, keep it professional. Personalized gifts for the actors should be totally career-related. The shows they’ve been in, public appearances, etc. Try not to incorporate anything that might be considered too personal or intimate and do not go overboard. Gentleman, lingerie and diamond necklaces are not appropriate gifts for the actresses. And gifts should only be for the actors themselves, NOT the other people in the actor’s personal life (like significant others, children, or even their pets).

-          If you’re bringing an actor flowers, make sure the thorns are all removed and there is no moisture at the bottom of the bouquet. Large floral arrangements, anything in glass vases, or containers filled with water should be delivered to the stage door attendants to be put in the performer’s dressing room, no exceptions.

Article 4: Autographs and pictures

The whole point of stage-dooring is for fans to get autographs from the actors and potentially take photographs with them. In order to make this process move efficiently and see that everyone standing in line gets their chance, here are a few simple rules to follow:

-          ALWAYS ASK POLITELY. Even though the stage door routine is like second-hand to most Broadway actors and they come barreling outside with Sharpies in hand, it should become a habit for you to always ask. “Could you please sign this?” followed by “thank you”.

-          The same goes for pictures. Never take a picture of an actor without asking their permission first. Usually they say yes, but sometimes they say no. Just in case they say yes, make sure that your camera is already turned on and ready to shoot. Have someone lined up ahead of time to take the snapshot. If you’re with a big group of people, do not ask the actor to take pictures with each and every single person. Do a group photo.

-          Do not ask the actor to sign more than 3 items, and one of them should ALWAYS be related to the show they just performed in.  Playbills, programs, merchandise from the souvenir stand…something that indicates you attended the show. Try to avoid asking the performers to write out long inscriptions on things. This isn’t a book signing and they’re tired and want to go home and rest.

-          Your body is not an acceptable thing to get autographed. You may think it’s funny, everyone else will probably think its creepy, and nobody wants to know what you’ll do with the signature once you get home. It’s the theater, so let’s show some decorum.

Article 5: Physical Contact

This brings me to my next point, which is respecting the physical boundaries of the actors. I know it sounds silly, but you’d be surprised…actually, I take that back. You probably wouldn’t.

-          At no point is it ever acceptable to grab or tap an actor to get their attention. If they are talking to somebody else, you should not interrupt them anyway, you should standby patiently and wait your turn, but you should never, ever touch them without their consent. Just say “Excuse me”.

-          I know that certain performers may mean a great deal to you personally and emotionally and you’d like to express that to them, but take it easy. Start by introducing yourself. Extend your hand and wait for them to shake it. THEN launch into your monologue about how much you adore them and how much their work means to you. And then, if you feel compelled to do so, ASK if you can give them a hug. Do not cling to them too tightly or for too long, either.

-          If an actor consents to take a picture with you, stand close, but wait for them to put their arm around you. Don’t just immediately grab onto them.

Article 6: Afterwards

Often times, poor stage door behavior continues even after fans have gotten their things signed and pictures taken. So here are a couple of final things to keep in mind once you’ve taken your turn.

-          Once you’ve had your moment with the actors, it’s time to exit the line and move on. Standing around and watching the actors interact with other fans is a little disconcerting. And I think it goes without saying that following the actors to their cars, pulling up next to them in your car while they’re walking down the street, or following them home is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Doing so could get you banned from the theater or from any events where that performer is involved for life.

-          Don’t broadcast it if you feel like a performer isn’t nice at the stage door or if they don’t come out. First of all, actors are in no way obligated to come out and sign autographs every night. They do it completely of their own volition and on their own time. These people are paid to perform for you all week long and give up their entire weekends, and it’s absurd to think that they’ll be “on” all the time. When they come out of that stage door, they are exhausted and you don’t know what kind of day they’ve had. Be sensitive to that.