Lindi holds the lead role in an original play called “A Long Time Ago” which had its premiere in October 2019. They then took it to a Theater in Arizona in December, and it was selected for the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2020, which was scheduled for October this year (which has since been cancelled due to COVID-19) but this is an ongoing project that they hope to take to more theatres in the future, including Hollywood Fringe 2021.
She is part of an improv acting troupe called “Yes-And-the-Kitchen-Sink.” They performed at the Groundlings Theatre in Hollywood once every month on a Sunday prior to the pandemic, and they intend to do so again once it is safe and things resume.
Lindi has already worked in Hollywood alongside these famous stars:a) YouTube stars Tyler Regan and Rachel Levin.
b) She’s been on set with Margot Robbie and Quentin Tarantino.c) She’s worked on a Ryan Murphy production.
- You hold the lead role in an original play called “A Long Time Ago” which had its premiere in October 2019. What is the play all about?
I play both the characters of Portia Longfellow and Luke Skywalker. A Long Time Ago combines Star Wars, Shakespeare and time travel. It tells the story of Dave Homes, an unruly, pompous, soap star from the near future who finds himself stranded in Elizabethan England due to a Time Travel vacation gone wrong. He meets Portia – a princess who refuses to live the traditional patriarchal life that is expected of a woman of her time. Together, they set out to find William Shakespeare so that she can become a playwright. On their way, they write and perform in an Elizabethan version of Star Wars with a traveling theatre troupe. During this unusual odyssey, Dave and Portia are faced with questions of where they truly belong and what matters most to them. The story focuses on the hero’s journey, following your dreams and overcoming fear. Following its popular demand, “A Long Time Ago” has been selected for the Hollywood Fringe Festival, and will thereafter be performed in various theatres across the country.
2. How did you land this role and what was the audition process like?
The audition called for an actress well versed in Shakespeare, accents and comedic timing. I went up against a selection of very talented actresses, so the bar for landing this role was already set high. Because there were so many candidates to get through, each one of us had to get in and out of the room quickly. I had to prove myself in a matter of minutes. Rumour even had it that the role had already been cast, as it often happens in this industry – however, I went to the audition anyway. A week later, I got the call.
My performance in this play also earned me a role in a TV series after the producer of that production came to see it, and said “You were extraordinary. We’ve been looking for an actress of your calibre for a role that we’re casting now.” We shot the pilot in November, and I’ve booked another upcoming project with them.
3. How has COVID-19 played a role in the industry for you?
For the first few months the industry completely shut down. Now, as we are slowly re-opening, there are plenty of strict new rules and regulations for productions to follow on set. We all have to do our part to ensure the safety of everyone involved. It has also trickled into what type of content is being created. COVID-19 or lockdown themes are the centre of many of the projects I am working on right now.
4. Tell us about being part of an improv acting troupe called “Yes-And-the-Kitchen-Sink.”
I have been a part of the Yes-and-the-Kitchen-Sink (YAKS) improv troupe for the past 2 years, performing in improv shows at the Groundlings Gary Austin Stage ever since.
The troupe is directed by Suzanne Kent – she was one of the original members of The Groundlings in the 70’s. Thanks to my work in this troupe, I’ve also worked with Emmy award winning actor and comedian George McGrath. The relationships I have formed with the two of them are very dear to me. The Groundlings are known for providing SNL with cast members. Melissa McCarthy and Kristin Wig were once Groundlings too – in fact, this is where they met each other.
5. How has your life changed since being in Hollywood?
I am in an environment where I get acknowledged for my work. I’ve had the opportunity to star in an array of award-winning films and work with multiple award-winning producers, directors and actors. I am very proud of my recent projects “You Up?”, “I’m Press” and “Cricket Man”, which are all doing their rounds on the festival circuit. Most recently I received the best actress award at the White Deer International Film Festival for “You Up?” and it won the Sweden Film Awards last month. It was officially selected for the Rome Prisma awards, the Lift-Off Sessions organised by Pinewood studios, and the Madrid International Film Festival. “Cricket Man” won big at the New York Film Awards and the Festigious International Film Festival Los Angeles for Best Parody. It also won the Los Angeles Film Awards and scored a Best Comedy win at the Vegas Movie Awards.
6. Who are some of the great stars in Hollywood you have worked with?
I’ve been transported back to the 60’s with Quentin Tarantino and Margot Robbie. My movie “You Up?”, a dark comedy about insomnia, afforded me the opportunity to garner input from Terence Blanchard, a six-time Grammy-winning musician and composer of several of Spike Lee’s films, and Oscar nominee for the score of “BlacKkKansman”, as well as George Clinton, award-winning composer of “Austin Powers.”
I worked on a Ryan Murphy production with Tony Award-winning broadway star Ben Platt. When I worked on a project on the Fox Studios lot, directed by one of the editors of the series “Homeland”, he compared my comedic chops to that of Julia Louis Dreyfus, who I’ve also had the pleasure to be on set with on occasion.
7. Is there anyone you would still love to work with and why?
I am super excited to work with the stellar casts of 2 upcoming TV series by the production company Streetlight Film and Media. I would love to still work with the entire cast of SNL one day.
8. With so many challenges surrounding Covid-19 what else can we expect to see from you in the near future?
I have a few projects in the running. We are preparing “A Long Time Ago” for its re-opening. I will be attending festivals and award shows where proper social distancing measures have been put in place. I will also be working on a new TV series in 2021, and a couple of upcoming films. One of my films, “I’m Press” is in development to become a series as well. All this will be done while following the new safety guidelines for production. That is going to be the new normal.
9. Do you have any words of inspiration for young South Africans who would love to follow in your footsteps?
Understand your own brand, work hard at your performing craft and network as much as you can. For me, I know that what sets me apart from other performers is my versatility, castability, work ethic, and my ability to portray character duality.
10. On which social media platforms can we continue to support you on?
You can follow me on instagram @lindi_la_vida_loca
11. What is your greatest achievement?
Starring in an array of award-winning films and working with multiple award-winning producers, directors and actors. I am very proud of my recent projects “You Up?”, “I’m Press” and “Cricket Man”, which are all doing their rounds on the festival circuit. Most recently I received the best actress award at the White Deer International Film Festival for “You Up?” and it won the Sweden Film Awards last month. It was officially selected for the Rome Prisma awards, the Lift-Off Sessions organised by Pinewood studios, and the Madrid International Film Festival. “Cricket Man” won big at the New York Film Awards and the Festigious International Film Festival Los Angeles for Best Parody. It also won the Los Angeles Film Awards and scored a “Best Comedy” win at the Vegas Movie Awards.
12. Which top directors/producers/actors have you worked with?
- I’ve been transported back to the 60’s with Quentin Tarantino and Margot Robbie.
- My movie “You Up?”, a dark comedy about insomnia, afforded me the opportunity to garner input from Terence Blanchard, a six-time Grammy-winning musician and composer of several of Spike Lee’s films, and Oscar nominee for the score of “BlacKkKansman”, as well as George Clinton, award-winning composer of “Austin Powers.”
- I worked on a Ryan Murphy production with Tony Award-winning broadway star Ben Platt.
- When I worked on a project on the Fox Studios lot, directed by one of the editors of the series “Homeland”, he compared my comedic chops to that of Julia Louis Dreyfus, who I’ve also had the pleasure to be on set with on occasion.
- Youtube stars Tyler Regan and Rachel Levin
13. Have your films been included in any festivals? If so, which?
“A Long Time Ago”
- Selected to be a part of the 2020 Hollywood Fringe Festival.
“You Up?”
- The lift-off sessions April 2020: Official selection
- Rome Prisma Awards July 2020: Official selection
- Sweden Film Awards June 2020: Winner
- White Deer International Film Festival – May/June Bi-monthly winner: Best Actress
- MADRIFF: Madrid Indie Film Festival June 2020: Official selection
“Cricket Man”
- New York Film Awards November 2019: Winner – Best Parody
- Festigious International Film Festival Los Angeles November 2019: Winner – Best Parody
- Los Angeles Film Awards 2019: Winner
- Vegas Movie Awards 2020 June edition: Award of Merit – Best Comedy
14. What sets you apart from other performers?
Character duality:
- I can play multiple different sides of one character. In “A Long Time Ago” I played Portia Longfellow and I played her portrayal of Luke Skywalker. In “A servant of two masters” I played Beatrice Rasponi and I played her portrayal of her brother Federico Rasponi.
- Similarly, I can play opposite myself – two characters interacting with one another. This is difficult for an actor to do because usually you would have another actor’s performance to draw from, and you truthfully respond by listening closely to them. I can create an emotional arc for two characters interacting with each other while it is filmed at different times.
Versatility:
This is a big strength that sets me apart from other performers. I can do Shakespeare one day and an action film with stunts the next. I can work from deep truth and vulnerability, but I can also do zany comedy.
Castability:
- I know my playing types well. I have a wide range, but I also know the strengths in my wheelhouse and I capitalize on them.
- I am good at auditioning – I know the process like a well oiled machine. But I am also very fortunate to have this pattern in my career where I get cast on projects based on the performance in another. I am very grateful for that.
Work ethic:
I am always working on my craft. When I’m working on a project I do everything for that character, I live and breathe them. I like Lee Strasberg’s Method. It works for me. In between projects I still work on my skills and stay informed to keep up with changes in the industry. Acting is a business, and it is so important to understand that business if you want to be successful.