Today we’d like to introduce you to Preeti Thaker.
Hi Preeti, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a first-generation Indian-American actor, born in Chicago and raised in the western suburb of Wheaton, Illinois. My cultural pursuits have always been central to who I am as an artist. Growing up, I studied and performed Indian classical music and dance– specifically North Indian (Hindustani) classical vocal and the ancient dance form of southern India, Bharatanatyam.
I think my parents quickly learned that I excelled artistically; definitely more so as a singer than a dancer. I would certainly say it was more than a hobby for me growing up. It also helps that my father is a musician, so I was raised in a home that was very influenced by Indian art. It was important to my parents to keep their culture alive despite being in America, and I’m so appreciative of that. But of course, a career in the arts was impractical in their eyes; and, like many well-intentioned Indian parents who move to this country, mine too thought a career in medicine would be the safest route for me to follow. I went on to be pre-med at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and finished two years of medical school before I changed careers and decided to become an actor.
The possibility of being an actress wasn’t on my radar growing up. I didn’t see faces like mine in tv/film or on stage. Despite being born and raised in this country, the lack of representation for Asian American actors was (and is) so great that I truly didn’t even remotely consider the possibility until I started seeing people like Mindy Kaling and Priyanka Chopra on television. And then of course, once I picked up a monologue, I felt like I was home. I couldn’t drown out the voice in my head that told me I had to go for it. It took a long time to actualize, but once it clicked for me I knew I had to change my life. I left medical school, started taking acting classes in Chicago and got into Steppenwolf Theatre’s 10-week residency program in Chicago. I’ve been on a new life path ever since.
Indian art gave me the foundation and the confidence to believe in myself as an artist when my mind kept telling me to pursue acting. It reminded me of who I’ve always been at a critical moment and allowed me to move in a new direction. It’s been an enormous gift in my life. So in that way, it’s strange because even though I’ve felt like an artist deep down my whole life, I am finally giving my artistry full flight today as an actor.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh, I wish! No, it has not been a smooth road and there have been and still are obstacles and challenges. I think beginning anew is always difficult– and going into acting was no different for me. It felt like a lot was on the line and I knew I was doing something that a lot of people around me had concerns and doubts about. So I’d say that was a challenge in a lot of ways. But it’s also how I learned where my heart really was and what I was willing to fight for. I’m also getting to know myself much more authentically now, which brings to light both my true strengths and weaknesses. Acting has saved me in so many ways and has been such a vulnerable but fulfilling journey of growth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an actor, I’ve gotten to work with some great theatres in Chicago, namely A Red Orchid Theatre, Court Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre and Northlight Theatre. I was most recently seen playing Lydia Wickham in the world premiere of Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon’s Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley, the final installment in a trilogy of Jane Austen/Pride and Prejudice inspired plays at Northlight Theatre here in Chicago. My goal in the coming year is to expand on the foundation I’ve created post-pandemic and work with more theatres in Chicago that I haven’t gotten to, especially some of my favorite storefront theatres that do amazing new work. Eventually, I intend to branch out into tv/film as well.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think that there’s a lot of risk taking that comes with being an artist. The very act of choosing to be in this industry can feel risky for anyone that starts this journey. For me, being a first-generation Indian-American woman made it feel even more daunting when I began acting. There wasn’t anyone who grew up like me that was choosing an unconventional path, so I had to really believe that I could carve my own. I also didn’t know anyone in the Chicago acting community and hadn’t studied theater so that probably added to the level of risk as well. And of course, being a woman of color. But I think it’s easy to fall into fear traps. I never thought of myself as much of a risk taker growing up, but I definitely see it now. Risk taking has become such a dynamic force in my life. Ultimately, I think your inner voice tells you if the risk is worth it. Intuition is a powerful thing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: pree_thaker
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/preethaker
Image Credits:
For group photos only: Michael Brosilow
