Life & Work with Elizabeth Gibbs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Gibbs.

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Columbus, GA and started performing in community theater productions as a kid. I immediately fell in love with the stage. Growing up, my family was a bit nomadic. We moved every couple of years and theatre fell to the wayside. It wasn’t until we moved to Atlanta before my junior year of high school that I decided to fully dedicate myself to theatre. I remember landing my first lead role as Mimi in RENT at Midtown High School (then known as Grady) and sobbing to my mom. I was hooked. That summer, I got a scholarship to AMDA’s high school conservatory in New York and just knew that this was what I wanted to do with my life. I then went on to get my BFA in Performance at Columbus State University. I was lucky enough to be trained in the Meisner technique for two years by Larry McDonald, who studied under Bill Esper. This training completely transformed me as an actor and a person. After graduating, I moved back to Atlanta, got signed to an agency and switched my focus to film. I got accepted into Rob Mello’s Meisner Intensive and this is where I met Allison Dayne. She told me she was writing a modern adaptation of “The Seagull” for our class to perform at the studio, and I was thrilled to land the role of Nina, which had been a dream role of mine for years. A few weeks before we went up, lockdown began. I was bummed but never lost hope. I continued to take classes to hone my skills and a year and a half later, I got a call from Allison, asking if I’d still like to play Nina, but this time in a feature film called “Madly”. It felt very serendipitous that my first work on film would be playing one of my dream roles from a play.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road has been far from smooth, as I’m sure is relatable for a lot of artists. I’ve struggled with anxiety, depression and plenty of self-doubt along the way. I’ve lost friends, dealt with heartbreak, and there have been a few times I’ve wanted to just quit all together. But there’s always been a voice in the back of my head reminding me I’m doing this for a reason. The world of theatre is both my escape and the only place I’ve ever really felt at home. Growing up and moving every few years was tough on me. I never felt like I “fit in” anywhere until I got involved in theatre. The stage became a constant for me in a world that was filled with inconsistencies.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m most known for the work I’ve done on stage, in the classroom and in front of the camera in “Madly.” I most recently starred in a musical at The Legacy Theater! I also love to write, direct and teach. I’ve taught at The Springer Theater Academy and find working with young children so fulfilling. I’m most proud of my resilience and inner strength. You can knock me down ten times, but I somehow always manage to get back up. Some might call it delusion, but it is the sole reason I have made it this far.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories were made on the stage. Even at age six, I took the work very seriously. I would memorize an entire script and recite it at home for fun, and if God forbid, another kid forgot their line… I would whisper it to them. I still remember the feeling of performing for some of my first audiences, it was a rush I had never known. I guess you could say I’ll always be that dorky theatre kid at heart.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://vimeo.com/618357778 Demo Reel
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_elizabethgibbs/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/themadlyfilm

Image Credits:
Images from Madly by Kenyan Alexander