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We are pleased to present a very special interview as part of our 1st Birthday special and hope you enjoy the recent time we had with Ms Natalija Nogulich.
Stuart: Natalija, had you watched Star Trek prior to starring in it and how did you land the role of Admiral Nechayev?
Natalija: Before appearing in Star Trek - The Next Generation, I had watched the original series and Next Gen a few times, but was not what you would call a "Trekkie." Naturally, I rapidly became one, once I began working on Next Gen, because I was captivated by the intelligence and intrigue of the scripts. The actors were all superb and very persuasive in each of their roles.
I came to be on the show by simply auditioning. My agent sent me in to audition for a couple of different roles, before they finally cast me as Admiral Nechayev. I must say that in the audition room, I felt that they had liked my work, but that somehow the first two roles I read for weren't exactly right for me, and finally they came up with one, that fit me like a glove - Alynna Nechayev! And I'm so grateful they did.
SB: You appeared in some of the biggest episodes of Star Trek The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, Did you enjoy the direction of your character's development?
NN: Yes, you're correct that my character was featured in some of the biggest and perhaps most dramatic episodes of Next Gen and DS9, and I did enjoy the direction Admiral Nechayev was taking. I felt that she was created to be a straight up, principled, disciplined Officer, who always had the interest of the Federation at heart. It made her a tough cookie some of the time. But then there were signs of her own humanity in a couple of later episodes. For example, when I ordered Picard to move the Indians off their native land, I confessed to him, that I had hoped it wouldn't come to that, and that I understood his misgivings, and would find someone else to do it, if he couldn't, but that I was convinced it had to be done. He, of course, took on the duty, as the courageous Captain he always was. I felt in that episode there was a new bond formed between the Captain and Nechayev, and that after he had offered me tea and Valerian canapé, there was an underlying mutual understanding between them. It was wonderful to get to play that side of the character.
SB: How does it feel to have starred in some of the most popular shows on Television, And can you tell us a little of your most recent appearances?
NN: Yes, I have been fortunate enough to do so many different shows. A while ago I was in Designing Women and then Coach, and I loved the comic roles I played in both. On the more serious side, I felt the Judge I played in The Practice had a sardonic sense of humour I enjoyed, and more recently the intensity of the Head of the Hospital in Strong Medicine, was a great role for me, and I recurred for several episodes in it. Most recently I appeared on 24, one of my all time favourite shows. You know, I always think every role is tailor made for me because my job as an actress is to so embody the character, that you only see the character, not the actress playing the character, so it appears a perfect fit. I love playing all roles from comedy to tragedy, and I think most actors, especially those trained in the theatre, feel this way.
SB: Can you tell us about your theatre company and your most recent production?
NN: My theatre company, The Grace Players, which I founded in Hollywood thirteen years ago, has most recently finished a production of Burn This, a powerful drama from the Eighties, which had appeared on Broadway with John Malkovich at that time. We produced a very dynamic and successful revival of the play in January, and I directed four talented actors from my theatre company in the production. Sorry you missed seeing it!
Last year in December - 2006, we did an exciting fundraiser for the theatre, which featured the work of America's great playwright Eugine O'Neill. It was an enchanting, engaging medley of twelve scenes from eight of his most well known plays, including of course, Long Day's Journey Into Night. The audience loved it, and we raised the money we'd set out to raise, and then some!
Right now we are preparing to do a Shakespeare Festival at the end of April in honour of the Bard's birthday. So I have a lot of work and fun ahead of me.
SB: Are you able to tell us about the screenplay you are working on?
NN: The screenplay I've written, A Woman's War, is moving toward finding a production entity for financing. It is a story of revenge and forgiveness, centred around the civil war in the Balkans in the 1990's. It is however, a story that reflects a struggle much like what we see around the world today. It's a dramatic love story that shall we say, "packs a wallop."
SB: What do you like most about your convention appearances?
NN: What I enjoy most about my convention appearances, is, of course, the Fans!! If they were not there, I would not be there! I was amazed at my first convention some years back, at the wide variety of folks who are fans of Star Trek. You really cannot stereotype a Star Trek fan. They can be any age, either gender, any profession, any walk of life. It's fascinating to talk with them, and learn what their passions are about Star Trek, and especially their views of Admiral Nechayev. Some loved my character, some hated her, but they loved to hate her, and therefore, never missed an episode, and became fans. She was a complex character and that's compelling. The fans understood that, and I love them for it.
I have also been thrilled to travel to different parts of the globe for conventions. From Pasadena, to New York, to England, to Mississippi, to Chicago, and God willing to Australia, it's a continuous adventure to find fans and the way they differ from place to place.
SB: How's your Tennis? And do you have any interests outside of acting you would like to share with us?
NN: My tennis is in need of a pick me up. I need a series of lessons to get back on the level I was playing at before I had a mild injury to my right (serving) upper arm. It's been a bit of a slow recovery, because I use the arm so much that I've re-injured it a couple of times, but now it's on the mend, and I'll be back at it, this spring.
As for my other interests, I love to read, I always feel like I want to disappear into a mountain cabin with a suitcase filled with books and read for a month. I love mountain hiking. I like bicycling, I am a good cook, and enjoy that as well. I also love to crochet hats, everyone in my family is wearing one of my famous hats, and so are many of my friends.
SB: Thank you very much Natalija, do you have a message for your fans around Australia?
NN: My message to my Australian fans, is that I have always been enchanted with your country and long to see it first hand. So thank you for being there and urging me to come down to one of your conventions. It would be my great pleasure. I will enjoy having you teach me and enlighten me to the ways and wonders of your country. Thank you for loving Star Trek - especially Next Gen, as much as I do.
Blessings to you all!!
Natalija Nogulich
Admiral Alynna Nechayev
Star Trek Next Gen and DS9
Visit Natalija's official website here
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