Note: A shorter version of this interview appeared in Homing Beacon #239
How did you end up landing the role of Ahsoka? When did you first hear about it?
Just like any other: I got a call from my agent who said I had an audition for the new Star Wars cartoon. I actually was auditioning for Padmé. That's the part I called in for. I'm usually pretty good at doing impersonations because I've done a lot sketch comedy, but for some reason, I just wasn't mastering Natalie Portman's voice. My agent said, 'go in anyway, because you never know!'
Sure enough, I went in, and I said the first Padmé line, and they stopped me and said, 'you know what, your voice is just too high. It doesn't sound like Padmé.' Just as I thought. But what was so neat was that they said, 'We'd like you to audition for another role. A new role.' That's all I knew. They didn't give out any details.
They wanted me to play around with some accents: give my own interpretation of European accents. They were pretty open. I did not do very well, in my opinion! But somehow I happen to get a callback. So, I come to the callback, and they asked me, again, to play around with different accents.
Usually, at auditions, I stay pretty composed. If I mess up or if I'm struggling, I try not to show it. For some reason at that audition, I was so frustrated that I couldn't give the accent that they wanted, I really started to show a lot of emotion. In trying to get into the script, I moved around a lot, and moved my arms, you know, just really got into it. Again, I walked out, and I wasn't sure. But then, I find out I got the part. I still didn't know the part I booked!
I went into the first session and I was told to forget about the accent. 'We want you to use your real voice.' They said my real voice and my body movements and facial expressions were what they were thinking for Ahsoka. In that first session is where I found out who I was playing. Up until then, I had no idea what character I was playing, what her name was, or who she was. So it definitely was very surreal to sit there in the first recording session and find all of this out. I truly felt like I was in a dream.
Backing up, when you first heard you there was a Star Wars project in the works, what was your reaction?
Well, of course, whenever you hear Star Wars it's very exciting. I was definitely looking at it as a huge opportunity to be part of the Star Wars universe. It's such an honor. I just felt very lucky.
You realize you're now going to have a whole bunch of little girls looking up to Ahsoka...
That just thrills me. I don't think there are enough positive roles for young girls out there. I try to seek out positive roles for not only girls, but kids and teens in general. When I found who she was and what her role would be, and how positive and kick-butt she was, it was like a dream come true.
What I like about her is, I don't even think Ahsoka sees a gender difference. She doesn't see boy versus girl. She knows she's talented. She knows she's smart. She's out to prove that she is the right person to be Anakin's Padawan. She knows how big of a role that is, and what an honor it is to be placed with Anakin Skywalker. She's out to prove that she's the right person for the job. She's very intelligent. She's studied very hard. She's proves to young girls that if you're mentally prepared and intelligent, and you're physically prepared and fit, there's nothing you can't achieve. The girls can hang with the boys.
Who did you look up to when you were a little girl?
I was definitely a Disney kid. My dad worked for Disney, so I watched every single Disney movie under the sun. I admired all of the Disney Princesses in that sense, but also, Star Wars was a big part of my childhood as well. I was actually a big tomboy growing up, kind of like Ahsoka. I wanted to be the best at every sport. I was the only girl on the baseball team. I definitely wanted to be like my older brother, and we would watch the Star Wars movies together, and we would re-enact scenes and pretend to be different characters. So, that was definitely a part of our childhood.
