Maia Novi
Maia Novi joins us On The Couch this week having just opened her play Invasive Species at The Vineyard Theatre. The play has begun its eight week off-Broadway run to instant acclaim and invading the internet with its merch. Directed by Pulizer Prize Finalist and Obie Award Winner Michael Breslin, and with Executive Producer and writer of Tony Award-nominated play Slave Play, Jeremy O’ Harris, the show is in safe hands. Invasive Species is “an outrageous true story about lying to live, living to lie, and how immigrating to the US might just be the role of a lifetime” and you have until June 30 to see it.
Read our full interview with Maia here, where she talks about her intense commitment to acting while in training, and why she can’t tell us about the worst traits she inherited from her parents.
What do you consider to be your best asset?
Making people laugh.
What was your proudest moment?
That first run of Invasive Species really felt like nothing else in the world. I was so proud of making something with my friends and seeing it come alive.
What is your favorite drink?
The want to say Aperol Spritz, but my heart says an ice cold beer.
What is your favorite food?
Milanesas de pollo (which are basically like Argentine chicken parmesans) and mashed potatoes.
What is your favorite condiment?
Salsa Magi, which is like freaky soy sauce.
What is your current obsession?
Gena Rowlands
If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
Smoking, but unfortunately I can’t give it up. I love cigarettes haha.
What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
I want to try directing. I had a chance to direct a series of shorts in France this past march and I really loved it.
What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
Skincare products and pillows
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
Spiraling, replaying situations of the past.
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
My ego.
What’s the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Generosity. And good hosting.
What’s the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Haha, I kind of wrote a play about this and well it’d be a spoiler if I said anything so you’ll just have to come see Invasive Species to find out.
What in the world most thrills you?
Unpredictability
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
Really sincere singing videos.
What was the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever experienced on the job?
The hidden truth about acting is that almost every moment I’ve ever acted is tinged with embarrassment and humiliation, so it’s hard to say. But maybe this one time in school, it was scene study class and we were working on a play titled Luna Gale, and I had to play this woman who had been waiting on a bench for four hours before the scene begins, those were the given circumstances. So I woke up at like 5 am and went to the classroom and just sat there, on a chair for four hours, so that I could feel the weight of that time. And everybody kind of just laughed at me.
What is your favorite place in the world?
My bed and pillows.
What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
They have to make me laugh.
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
Dogs no question. Cats freak me out. They like intimidate me. Having said that I fully respect them as a species.
What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
Drinking with my closest friends and dancing to a soundtrack of songs on cue that everyone individually picked.
What is your personal motto?
Where your fear is that’s where your task is.