Mandy Greenfield
As the artistic director of Williamstown Theatre Festival, one of America’s great performing institutions, it’s safe to say Mandy Greenfield is a bona fide
doyenne of our field. A fierce proponent of new work, she has been a mentor to emerging artists across the country and has a curated season-after-season of
fresh-out-of-the-oven hits along with tried-and-true classics. This year, Mandy will be overseeing a summer that includes Jen Silverman’s The Roommate,
Sarah Ruhl’s The Clean House and the Lonny Price-directed musical A Legendary Romance. This week, we are thrilled to have Mandy Greenfield On the Couch.
What do you consider to be your best asset?
The girth of my Eastern European-influenced hips, which made pregnancies feasible and makes the desire to spend hard-earned dollars on high-end fashion irrelevant.
What was your proudest moment?
I am proud every day to be entrusted to run Williamstown Theatre Festival.
What is your favorite drink?
Coffee.
What is your favorite food?
Things to dip in coffee.
What is your favorite condiment?
Instant coffee (over vanilla ice cream).
What is your current obsession?
I don’t obsess. I think a lot about language and truth. I worry about our country.
If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
Pence.
What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
I want Joe Mantello to teach me to act and I want to go to Juilliard. I’ve composed the email to him several times to ask and I’ve downloaded the application. But, I haven’t pulled the trigger. I never wanted to be an actor and, I still don’t. But, I’d like to know how to be an actor. A good actor.
What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
Sunglasses. I lose nothing in life except sunglasses. And, unlike my hips, my face seems to accommodate luxury brands quite well.
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
Plucking.
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
The over-abundance of great rosé in the summer.
What is the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
My parents are smart and have great taste. My father taught me how to read a text closely. My mother pushed me to work hard, fearlessly. They both taught me the value of a dollar.
What is the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
I scream expletives in the car with my kids, whilst driving, as though it’s completely normal and acceptable.
What in the world most thrills you?
Dress rehearsals.
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
Impossible to choose between fidget spinners and the destruction of written English for ease and speed of texting.
What was the single most embarrassing moment you’ve ever experienced on the job?
I don’t really experience embarrassment – I’ve made countless mistakes but I always learn from them.
What is your favorite place in the world?
Martha’s Vineyard and NYC. I am ashamed to admit to it because it feels like a betrayal of Miami, where I am from and where I grew up.
What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
I don’t seek – I have found….my husband, Matt Fassler.
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
Our younger son is campaigning for a dog. I grew up with both dogs and cats. I believe in them, conceptually, but don’t want to deal with either.
What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
If I can get out the door basically dressed, without child protective services being called, get everyone where they need to be, and do a good job leading this Festival, it’s all good.
What is your personal motto?
Try to get out the door, basically dressed, without child protective services being called, get everyone where they need to be and do a good job leading the Festival, and it’s all good.