An Interview With Jenna Lindsay Curtis

[ Photo used with permission by Jenna Lindsay Curtis ]

Continuing our growing interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jenna Lindsay Curtis, a New York-based actor, model and singer. I have known Jenna for a few years now, I'm actually surprised she doesn't have photographer to her loaded with talent resume. I asked Jenna what would be the top prize for someone that involved in the fields of acting/modeling/singing, favorites in 2009 and if she would ever consider a run as a mixed martial artist.

That's correct, a mixed martial artist.

I also asked Jenna if she would follow in the footsteps of her author mother, the experience of working on a movie that was to be a part of the Sundance Film Festival, her dream gig across the fields of acting, modeling and singing, and her favorite places to eat in New York City.

Find out all of those answers and more behind the jump.

CRITIQULOUS: Most people would say that the top prize for being an actor would be to win an Oscar or a Tony. For a singer, it'd be a Grammy. For a model it'd be creating a clothing line based on your own personal style. If you had to pick only one of these milestones for your life, which would it be and why?

JENNA LINDSAY CURTIS: When I was in Kindergarten, I played Glinda in, "The Wizard of Oz" and my passion for acting has remained ever since. Winning an Oscar would be nothing short of a dream come true.

Right now, what would be your dream acting role? Modeling assignment? Musician/band to go on a cross-country tour with?

The most exhilarating scene I ever did in school was from Sam Shepard's bizarre little play, "Fool For Love." I got to speak in a thick Southern accent and do such visceral and physical work with a part that was so against the grain for me. I've also always thought it would be fun to play Maggie from "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof". No one writes women quite like Tennessee Williams.
I haven't done a great deal of modeling. I did a shoot at school and ended up getting hypothermia. My fingers were so numb that they stopped working and I couldn't button my own shirt when it was time to go and someone had to do it for me. So, I guess an ideal modeling job would be one where I'm not freezing.

As for going on tour with someone, I'd have to say Sir Paul. I've been in love with The Beatles from the ripe age of five and recently went to see him play at Citi Field. The concert was incredible but I was so far away! Put me on a tour bus with Paul McCartney and give me that Oscar from question #1, and I will die a happy girl.

Even though 2009 is far from over, what are your favorite albums and movies so far? Any surprises for you in that you did not expect that you would enjoy it so much?

I listened to Phoenix's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and to the Discovery LP a lot this summer. I feel like Pitchfork would kill me if I didn't say Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion. I really enjoyed Dan Auerbach's Keep It Hid, Bon Iver's Blood Bank EP, and thought Dark Was The Night was a pretty solid compilation for the most part. Was Andrew Bird's Noble Beast 2009? I think so. Honorable mentions to Wilco, Monsters of Folk, Dinosaur Jr., Passion Pit, Doves, and White Rabbits (whom I've had the opportunity to work with a bit).
I just saw "Where The Wild Things Are" and it was definitely something special. "500 Days of Summer," was an atypical movie about love and was worth it for the Hall and Oates dance scene alone. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," is up there. I love those movies but I just can't bring myself to read 600 page books about a young wizard. I really liked "Adventureland" although I don't think anyone else did. There was so much Lou Reed in that movie which was kind of amazing. "Up," The Hurt Locker," and "Inglorious Basterds" are still on my "to see" list.

No big surprises. I know what I like. ;)

I see from your website, one of your special skills is kickboxing. Ever think you could take it full-time and become a mixed martial artist?

No, but I did always enjoy that movie "Sidekick" with Chuck Norris and Jonathan Brandis.

If you could summarize your experience being in an independent film that was to be a part of Sundance with one word, what word would it be?

Whimsical.

Your mother Judith Caseley is talented in her own right, being an author. Could we add author to your resume in the near future? If so, what kind of books would you want to write about?

My favorite course in all of college was a poetry workshop. I write almost compulsively. Without really noticing it, I am constantly arranging words in my head. I've been working on two pieces for quite some time now but it's hard to say if they'll ever see the light of day. I write about my life and the people who color it.
You've just reminded me of one of my first modeling gigs, posing for my mom's book, "Annie's Potty". Yes, thanks to Mama Bear and I, children all over the world have successfully been potty trained.

Anything you would like the readers to know about you? Upcoming projects that we should keep an eye for? Special talents aside from kickboxing? Favorite place(s) to eat around New York City?

Keep an eye out for me dancing like a fool on The CW to this band I've been working with. As for special talents, I have a knack for finding treasures in thrift stores, and have perfected the art of sleeping on the subway and waking up just in time for my stop. For good eats in the city, go to Pukk which has stellar vegetarian Thai. I also enjoy salads from Yaffa Cafe because they are enormous, 7A, and just about any restaurant that serves guacamole. Go to S'mac: Sarita's Macaroni and Cheese for a special treat. Also, I had a bite of my friend's pumpkin risotto at Extra Virgin in the West Village a few weeks ago and have been dreaming about it ever since.

The very talented Jenna Lindsay Curtis is someone we may very well see soon on television, in a song or in a national ad campaign. Thank you for the interview Jenna and we'll definitely be looking out for your upcoming projects.