Actress Jaclyn Fleming
Jaclyn Fleming is an outstandingly brilliant actress who is excellent at what she does. Her work has spanned festival performances, comedy sketches, improv shows, and voiceover work, as well as a list of film and television credits that spans numerous platforms. Currently based out of Los Angeles, California, Fleming is also a talented writer and singer, and a graduate of The Second City Toronto.
Fleming is presently a part of a handpicked comedy ensemble called “Bubbelplast,” who have a show full of Long Form Improv, brought to audiences by The Second City Hollywood. “Bubbelplast” takes the stage every other Friday night at 10:30pm in Los Angeles.
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Fleming and get the inside scoop on her journey with The Second City, all outlined in our exciting, one-on-one interview below.
Where are you from originally?
JF: I’m originally from Toronto, ON Canada or Ajax, ON, if we want to get more specific.
Was there a specific moment in time where you realized you wanted to pursue an acting career?
JF: Oh yes. I was very young when I knew I wanted to be an actor. I had been singing basically since I could speak and knew my love of film and television was more than just an appreciation for the art form.
Who inspired you early on?
JF: Stan Laurel. He’s still one of my biggest idols. I grew up watching old films and T.V. with my dad. He bought me a collection of Laurel and Hardy films and I fell so deeply in love. Lucille Ball, for being so incredibly witty and charismatic, but also a strong female figure. I fell for Kate Winslet, as I’m sure so many did, when I saw Titanic and Emma Thompson in Sense and Sensibility. Kevin Spacey made me want to act more and honestly, I have so many people who inspire me, it’s impossible to name them all.
In your opinion, what are some of the most important characteristics an actor can possess?
JF: Patience, commitment, and love are key. I think it’s an on-going battle for people to remember to be patient with things. Nothing happens when we want it to, but more importantly, to remember to exercise patience with ourselves. I say this, even though I’m currently running through a schedule of things I need to do for the day in my head and trying to figure out how I’m going to do it all. *laughs* But seriously, patience helps us remain grounded and present. Without presence, I don’t believe you can honor and accurately relay the human condition. As for commitment, it’s not just about committing to the work and to the career, but committing to every aspect of the journey, as a performer. You’re going to face strife. You’re going to face a number of demons within yourself that you’ll need understand will never go away. You must stick it out, because you are in love with the art, not for anything else. My grandpa, who is one of my best friends, told me if I can love my career 80% of the time, it is not so bad. That means only 20% of the time I don’t feel “in love” with what I’m doing. I would say my percentage of love for what I do is substantially higher, so count myself grateful.
How do you try to incorporate those qualities into your own work?
JF: I put love into my career every day. I wake up and say to myself, “I am grateful for what I have and for what I get to do.” It sounds very cliché to say it like that and possibly vapid, but I am. I know so many people who have spent their lives being unhappy and feeling empty and purposeless, because they never did what they love. So, I choose to be grateful. As for patience, it’s tough. I have to remind myself constantly that things don’t just materialize. They take time. I like things to get done and to be creating as much as possible. I just have to remind myself to be present and to enjoy what I have. As for commitment, I’ve moved my entire life away from what I knew to do what I love. I’ve had to accept a number of insecurities and move them aside, so I could even begin acting. With every opportunity I’m given, I go in with confidence, excitement and gratitude. I also don’t wait (see above problem with patience) for people to hand me an opportunity. I create my own projects and collaborate with incredibly talented people.
The Second City has trained some of our industries most well-known and talented actors and comedians. Tell me a little bit about your time with The Second City Toronto. What drove you to study under that training center over others?
JF: I had been performing with a musical theatre company, but felt I wanted more than just that. A dear friend of mine told me to check out Second City and see about taking classes there. I was very shy and terrified of failing, but I went. I began studying with Lisa Merchant, who is still one of my heroes. I felt like I had someone open a tiny door for me that I was able to peer through. From there, I continued on through their basic improv levels, and didn’t want to stop. I studied around the city as well and began performing at The Bad Dog Theatre. I went and saw shows constantly and just kept climbing.
What was it like training at a facility that has had so much widely known success doing what it does? How have those experiences influenced your career?
JF: Well, training at Second City was amazing. Every single person who works there is exceptionally talented. I felt honored to have learned from the best. I also felt so intimidated, as I felt I would never be at that level (see back about demons and facing them). I really wanted to be on the mainstage, but knew it was very competitive. That passion drove me to strive for so much. I pushed myself far beyond what I ever believed I was capable of. I still push myself, just in different ways. I feel the best way I can describe it, is that I have a fire inside me. They stoked the embers and now the fire is fully ablaze. So I am grateful for Second City, because they gave me strength.
When did you relocate to Los Angeles?
JF: I officially moved to L.A. in October of 2013. I worked on several shows with my favorite lady, Sam Phillips. I got myself settled and then began studying at UCB, where I met some of my best friends.
When and how did you initially get involved with The Second City Hollywood?
JF: Charity Miller, who is unbelievably talented, gracious, intelligent, kind and masterful, kept encouraging me to come and audition. I did. I submitted shows and kept coming out and showing up. I have been involved since 2014 at the Hollywood location.
Have you noticed any major differences between The Second City Toronto and The Second City Hollywood? Upon moving to Los Angeles and continuing work in the entertainment industry, was there anything in particular that surprised you?
JF: Well, the Second City Hollywood doesn’t have a “mainstage” as the Chicago and Toronto locations do. That did surprise me, at first. That being said, they have some of the most clever, intelligent and gifted people performing there. The premium shows and the ensembles are fantastic. “Afros and Ass-Whoopins” and “In Trump We Trust,” to name a few, are just genius. So well put together. Dwayne Colbert and Dave Colan are so gifted. Working with Celeste Pechous, who is my current director is a dream. She is sophisticated, calculated, hilarious, and so bloody talented.
Tell me a little bit about “Bubbelplast.” Is there a meaning or story behind the shows name?
JF: Oh goodness! That name came out of our very first show. We had been discussing names for our group in our rehearsals prior. When we took to the stage, we asked for a suggestion to get our show started. Someone had said bubble wrap. So we kind of ran with it and Bubbelplast became the Swedish sensation of a name that it is today.
I read that the cast of “Bubbelplast” was handpicked – congratulations on that accomplishment, by the way. Who was in charge of this selection process and what was the audition like? How did you feel after booking the gig?
JF: Oh thanks! Celeste Pechous was in charge of the auditions. I had been on a team prior, called “Milk Tooth,” which was directed by Dave Colan. I knew I wanted to continue performing and had been heavily encouraged to continue on. I went and auditioned for Celeste, which was a bit scary. To be clear, Celeste herself is not scary. Auditioning always is. In fact, whenever I perform at all, I’m a little nervous and scared. Back to the audition though. I got to go in with a bunch of people who I definitely felt were amazing. I didn’t know what to think coming out of it, but I knew I did my best. When I got the message that I had been selected, I was elated. Since then, I have fallen more and more in love with that group.
For those of us who are unfamiliar with the terms, could you explain what the difference is between Long Form and Short Form Improv?
JF: Sure thing. Long form, as they call it, is when you take individual people or ideas and weave longer scenes with them. In some cases, you can build an entire narrative around things. For example, you may have a show that centers around a town of people and their relationships and perhaps a problem in the town that resolves. Short Form refers to Theatre Sport-like scenes. They are shorter scenes structured in such a way that require much more audience interaction. Think of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
Do you have a preference between the two?
JF: I love narrative and genre based performing, so I do lean towards Long Form, but the amount of skill it takes to perform Short Form well is also exciting to me. “Bubbelplast” focuses on Long Form.
“Bubbelplast” is Coached and Directed by Celeste Pechous who is both a writer and an actress known in Hollywood. What has your experience working with her been like?
JF: As I mentioned before, she is just incredible. She is so patient and intelligent. She is one of the most gifted performers. She challenges us, which is integral for what we strive to do, but she is so graceful about it, that it feels as though you’re being directed by a great friend. I am so grateful for all of her knowledge and efforts.
Can you elaborate on a favorite memory or performance of “Bubbelplast” that you’ve experienced thus far?
JF: We have so much fun together every show, so it’s tough to say. We did a show where someone had a shopping cart and I had made the decision to improvise on the sidelines for support. I added the sound effects for the shopping cart and it was just hysterical. We had a blast playing with one another. We always do though. We always support one another and really build around the ideas given to us.
Outside of acting, what are your personal hobbies and interests?
JF: I sing, write and do photography. I play around with 35mm black and white photography, as I love film. I write sketches, films, and anything that strikes my fancy. I love singing. I do it every day. I’m a hiker, so most of my photography I play around with is landscape.
You’ve mentioned to me before that you are interested in more than just comedic acting. What are your future career goals and aspirations?
JF: I just love performing. Whether it’s comedic or dramatic. I love it. I have so many aspirations and work towards them every day. I love all forms of acting. I am currently working on silent comedy and love voice over. I would love to be doing independent films and collaborating with amazing people. I guess my aspirations are similar to many actors, but I continue to strive towards them.
When and where can we see you perform live in the future?
JF: Our next show for “Bubbelplast” is on June 17th. We perform every other Friday at 10:30pm. I also perform at Impro Studio Theatre, which is one my favorite places to be. Impro Studio Theatre is home to Genre and Narrative Improv in L.A. They are highly skilled and are incredibly gifted at weaving intricate stories through the use of improv. I perform in “The Gauntlet,” which I will be doing this month, along with “Netflix with Matt and Jack,” which I do with my dear friend Matthew Pitner of “The Bearded Men West.” They are one of the most incredible groups of performers you can see, other than Impro’s Main Company and Second City’s shows, including my team members on “Bubbelplast.” I am also working on a One Woman Show, which will be going up soon called “Ginger Snaps.”
For more information on Jaclyn Fleming, please visit:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7534064/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
http://www.secondcity.com/people/hollywood/jaclyn-fleming/
Follow Jaclyn on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaclynFleming
Follow Jaclyn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynfleming13/
For more information regarding The Second City Hollywood, please visit: http://www.secondcity.com/hollywood/
To check out “Bubbelplast,” please visit:
http://www.secondcity.com/shows/hollywood/bubbelplast-boat/
http://www.laughstub.com/events/445900
Follow “Bubbelplast” on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bubbelplastsc
Follow “Bubbelplast” on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bubbelplastimprov/
Like “Bubbelplast” on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bubbelplast/
For more information regarding Impro Theatre and Impro Studio Theatre, please visit:
http://improtheatre.com/main-company-shows/
http://improtheatre.com/events/gauntlet/repeat_1465675200_1465678800_20_00/
http://improtheatre.com/events/twopro-2/repeat_1466112600_1466118000_21_30/
http://improtheatre.com/events/bearded-men-west/repeat_1465682400_1465687800_22_00/