Heather Gilbert
Heather Gilbert became a four-and-five-time Tony Nominee this week for her work on MTC’s Bug, starring Carrie Coon, and The Fear of 13, starring Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson. Heather’s sweet, sweet nature makes her an industry favorite, being stopped and hugged from all sides at every event you’ll find her at. Read our full interview below, where she lovingly blames her collaborators for her current drink and food obsessions.
What do you consider to be your best asset?
I am a connector, and I make communities wherever I go. I am fiercely supportive of the people I work with from my director to the designers to the actors and, most certainly, everyone on the lighting team. And I love easily which I think is also so helpful in life, and certainly in theatre.
What was your proudest moment?
Any time I am working with my students. When they are proud of their work, my heart soars. Teaching fills a different part of my soul than designing does, and I am so proud of my students.
What is your favorite drink?
Lately gin martinis are a big after work drink for me (I blame Scott Pask and Joe Mantello during Little Bear Ridge Road, and Arnulfo Maldonado during Dead Outlaw and The Fear of 13), but the truth is that I exist on black coffee and the answer really should be water…..it’s not the truth….
What is your favorite food?
Any meal I eat on dinner with Arnulfo Maldonado and Sarah Laux, my genius collaborators and even closer friends. We ate at Lafayette Grand Cafe and Bakery last night on a break between a rehearsal and a show and there have been about 45 texts about how great it was already today.
What is your favorite condiment?
THIS caused such a conversation with my current lighting team on what constitutes a condiment. But I grew up in Texas, so for me the answer is barbecue sauce. And I mean specifically Texas. The other styles of BBQ are fake. Yeah, I said it. Fake.
What is your current obsession?
I mean, ALWAYS my cat who then must become the obsession of everyone I talk to. But also I moved last year to the Ann Arbor to teach at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), and I have spent a lot of time refurnishing /decorating my home. This summer I am going to London for a show, and I am going to make David Cromer and Scott Pask go shopping with me for upholstery fabric at Liberty of London., I have some family antique Victorian chairs that I want to redo so they look like Oscar Wilde owned them.
If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
Eating sugar at the tech table.
What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
I mean, I wouldn’t MIND getting that Tony Award. I’m pretty proud of my career, and I love the shape of how it has landed lately, but I would take that gorgeous lil award absolutely.
What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
Flying first class. I live in Ann Arbor and I work in NY. I fly A LOT. Almost always first class. Wait. Forget it. I am fine with this choice. Let’s go with—I buy far too many cat beds for my beloved cat Simon. He gets all the luxuries that his predecessor never got back when I was hustling as a young designer in Chicago storefront theatre, not making tons of money. So now I spoil this cat partly because I couldn’t do it for the last one.
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
Flying.
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
Sitting at a tech table. Not enough movement, and theaters are not created with the action of people to sit in those seats at tables so it absolutely wrecks out backs.
What’s the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Creating community and caring for other people.
What’s the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Oh this is MEAN. Let’s go with leaving the top off the toothpaste.
What in the world most thrills you?
Carrie Coon acting on a stage in front of me. And when I get to light her along with it, it feels like getting to create a symphony.
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
I just want to protect live performance in the world we are moving toward. The experience of an actor or performer alive in the room with you—is there anything more important in a society? The ability to share difficult emotions and also the huge release of laughter with a group of people…..we have to protect that.
What was the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever experienced on the job?
Well, I gave up feeling embarrassed (for the most part) in my 40s. That is the best part of aging, for sure.
What is your favorite place in the world?
I wish I could say on a lake somewhere or relaxing, but in reality it is sitting in dark theatre at a tech table, turning lights on and off, watching actors perform. I love it. And it is where I am my best me.
What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
I suppose it would be the trait of being okay with me being in the dark theaters or teaching 12-14 hours a day.
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
Aww, I can’t pick one. I have a cat—and he is everything to me—but that is because I have this crazy schedule that would never allow for me to take care of a dog. Simon already has more loving nannies than a cat should. But I grew up with dogs, and oh, I love them so. So I pick both.
What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
I would for sure have to be in rehearsal, whether with tech or just in the rehearsal room with the actors, and I would also need to spend a little time in a museum because I am obsessed with art and endlessly inspired in my own work by what I see in others. Then probably seeing some live music because I love it so—I went to college in San Antonio which meant going to Austin a lot to see amazing bands in tiny venues and I will always need that in my life. And I would have to have one of those meals with Sarah and Arnulfo—ideally with that martini. Oh, and I would have to cuddle with my cat, Simon. He doesn’t get to come to NY with me (and does not want to) so I spend a lot of days missing him.
What is your personal motto?
Truly? I have 2. The number one rule in life is don’t be a dick (jerk?), and number two is own your shit (mistakes?) because we all mess up number one sometimes.