An Interview with Lindsay Amato Myers
Army spouse Lindsay Amato Myers takes the stage in February's MilspoFAN interview. Lindsay shares how staying connected to the theatre has helped her build friendships and community with each PCS.
Role as Angie in The Wedding Singer- Damascus Theatre Company
MilspoFAN: Tell us a little about yourself, your journey as a military spouse, and where you are today.
Lindsay: I am a Jersey Girl and grew up around the arts most of my life. I performed in many community theatre productions growing up and pretty much centered my life around the theatre, singing, and dancing. I moved to North Carolina after I graduated High School and attended The University of North Carolina at Greensboro where I studied Theatre. One night while at a bar in downtown Greensboro, I met a pretty cute Army guy, Anthony. We dated throughout college and one day when Anthony was home from his tour in Iraq, he asked me to marry him. I had no idea what I was getting into! I moved to Fort Bragg after I graduated, married my solider and worked and performed at Cape Fear Regional Theatre and Gilbert Theatre. "Army Wife Life" has truly been a journey. Deployments have separated my husband and I many times. My husband and I have been through good times and bad times. We've moved around to many great places, and I have been able to find theatre friends and families in so many places. We now call Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst, near Trenton, New Jersey, our home (for now!). We have two amazing kids, Laila (9) and Dominic (6) and our furry kids, Spike and Andie. I worked for the Music Department at Princeton University and recently left to take a position with the 174th Infantry Brigade where I serve as an Executive Assistant. I haven't been performing as much as I would like, but hope to change that soon. For now, I support my fellow theatre friends and expose my kids to as much theater and art as possible.
Role as The Mute in The Fantasticks at Gilbert theatre.
MilspoFAN: How did you become involved in Theatre and the arts?
Lindsay: As a kid, I was always pretty dramatic. I was always writing stories and plays, drawing, and attending musicals and plays with my family. I remember seeing Les Miserables when I was 8 and watching in awe the whole time. I knew that being on stage and performing is something I wanted to do.
I am blessed for the opportunities I have had since becoming a military spouse. I have performed and developed relationships with so many great theatres, community performing groups and actors from North Carolina, Maryland and everywhere in between.
Role as Gingy in Shrek 2016- Rockville Community Theatre
MilspoFAN: How has your role as a military spouse impacted your work as a actress- creatively, logistically, or otherwise?
Lindsay: Every PCS brings excitement and new opportunities. As an actress, I love just putting myself out there. It's very motivating and inspiring. Every place we've moved to has helped me grow and develop as an actress and singer. Each location we've moved to has been unique and each performing experience I've had has only made me love what I do more. I've been able to explore so many characters and tell so many stories. The best part now is being able to share that with my kids. They love watching me perform and are my biggest supporters and fans.
Vagina Monologues - 2008 UNC at Greenbsoro
MilspoFAN: How do you meet other artists or plug into the local arts scene when you PCS?
Lindsay: I reach out to military spouses on base and look for auditions, classes, and workshops. Social media always helps with reaching out to and connecting to people. These are all great ways to connect and develop relationships with other actors and theatres. One of my dreams is to be able to create a performance troupe with other military spouses and develop performance and theatre related opportunities for other military spouses who wish to pursue theatre in any aspect; however, it is challenging since I move around a lot and juggle being a mom, working full time, making sure my kids are involved in activities they love, etc. I find that so many spouses arrive to a new duty station and have no idea where to start when it comes to making connections or just meeting new people. I hope one day I'll be able to achieve this goal and be able to connect military spouses through performing arts opportunities. Every spouse has a different story to tell and I would love to be able to share those stories on stage and be able to bring spouses together.
Role as Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone- Damascus Theater Company
MilspoFAN: What is the most practical piece of advice that you would give to other actresses/actors?
Lindsay: Do what you love and continue to fall in love with your passion. Put yourself out there and never, ever give up! Support local theater and performers and learn from their experiences and stories.
