Aftyn is a new face on the Coaster Theatre stage and this May tackles her biggest Coaster Theatre role alongside her real life husband (Timothy Garvin) as Agnes and Michael in The Fourposter.
A Maryland native, Aftyn participated in choir and theatre throughout high school and college. Since discovering the world of theatre, she has participated in shows as an actress and stage crew in addition to helping out with costumes, stage managing, assistant directing and set construction. Since moving to the Oregon coast with her husband Time, she has enjoyed pursuing her love of theatre!
1. What is your present state of mind?
Tired! For one, I just got off work, and had a long busy day. But as for the show – I’ve never done just a two-person performance before, and it’s so much work! I’m loving working with my actual husband, though! And the show is going to be so much fun! I hope lots of people get to see it!
2. Who are your favorite playwrights?
Sarah Kane! Not only are her works so thoroughly expressive and intense, but her life experiences are simply fascinating to me. She just really resonates with me, especially her quote about what attracted her to theater: “theater has no memory, which makes it the most existential of the arts…I keep coming back in the hope that someone in a darkened room somewhere will show me an image that burns itself into my mind.”
3. Your favorite musician?
Now, this is just such a hilarious contrast to my previous answer, but… Taylor Swift! I think it’s because with certain art forms I just want to be transported to a fantasy realm where everything is much more light and airy, and music is one of those for me. Something about Taylor Swift’s songs make me feel giddy, because she somehow manages to connect these rather melancholy real-life issues to a sort of fairy-tale environment, which takes all the punch and misery out of them. It’s really impressive to me how she is able to write these songs that you can easily relate to, while simultaneously keeping it removed enough to make you feel like – just maybe – there really is this ideal place where everything can be worked out in a 3-4 minute pop song. Plus, they are just fun and easy to sing and dance along to!
4. Who are your favorite characters?
Dorothy and her crew from The Wizard of Oz! I’m not talking about just from the movie or play, but from the books as well. Dorothy especially is a special character to me because she is both vulnerable and strong. She is independent and able to speak up for what she wants and needs, but she is also willing to work hard for it and open to getting help and support from others along the way. She realizes that she can’t make the journey home all on her own, and that having friends by her side just makes the journey that much easier and more enjoyable.
5. Who are your heroes in real life?
My Dad! He has always been there for me, through thick and thin. He’s also encouraged me my whole life to follow my dreams and told me that I could be and do anything I put my mind to! I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive, patient, and caring father!
6. What natural gift would you most like to possess?
Singing! I mean, I’m not tone-deaf or anything, but I would so love to have one of those voices that just stop people in their tracks and make their jaws drop.
7. What is your most marked characteristic?
I think my outgoing personality! People often seem to get this initial impression of me as this really dynamic person. I’m not always so high-energy, but I would say it’s probably the aspect of me that people notice right away and remember.
8. What do you most value in your friends?
Three things: Communication, Honesty, and Reliability! They are all equally important to me, so I couldn’t pick just one.
9. If you could be anyone throughout history, who would you have been?
Susan B. Anthony! She was a teacher, a suffragist, abolitionist, author and speaker – which are all things I could see myself doing. I have always loved the idea of teaching, I’m very interested and involved in social justice (particularly women’s rights) and I enjoy writing and public speaking/performing. Her efforts especially in the fight for women’s suffrage are legendary and I am completely inspired by her!
10. What is your motto?
I have a few! But “You can’t fix a problem you don’t know you have” is a big one for me. It all comes down to communication, which is vitally important to me. I would so much rather have a difficult conversation than none at all, if it means that an issue can be resolved in some way, shape or form.
Photos by George Vetter/Cannon-Beach.net
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