Spotlight on the Artist: Lussi Pearl

‍What has been your favorite part of the rehearsal process?

This cast! I’ve always loved the community here at the Playhouse, but this cast in particular feels really special. It’s a lot of people who I’ve worked with for years, and a few new people who I’m enjoying getting to know. In particular, Alyson Enderle, Gabbi Mack, and Antony Furguson have all been incredible scene partners. I love how much room we all give each other to play and discover when we’re locking in a scene. Plus, they’re all the best, so it makes it pretty easy to have fun with them in the rehearsal room.

Has anything surprised you during the rehearsal process—about the character, the story, or yourself?

I’ve been surprised by how emotional this show still makes me, even after knowing the script like the back of my hand. Jenna’s journey is so beautiful to watch, and it becomes even more personal when I’m watching it from Dawn’s point of view. I tear up during “Everything Changes” every time we do it.

What drew you to Dawn as a role, and how have you approached bringing this character to life?

I fell in love with Dawn when I saw the Broadway production of Waitress in 2017. She’s so funny, and she felt really relatable to me in my awkward preteen stage (and still now in my early adulthood). Bringing her to life has been a balance of leaning into her comedy while still keeping her authentic. She’s a more layered character than some people give her credit for, and I hope that shows through in my performance.

What conversations do you hope this play sparks in today’s world?

I hope Waitress inspires more people to think about the lives and feelings of service industry workers. They’re a group of people who are so often taken for granted, but they’re so important. I think the way someone treats (and tips) a server says a lot about them. Shoutout to my coworkers at Burrito Union!!

When did you start performing at Duluth Playhouse? What do you remember about your first production?

My first DPH production was A Wrinkle in Time in 2013. I was one of the younger kids in the show, so I had about five minutes of total stage time, but those five minutes completely changed my life. I fell in love with theatre and the people who make it during that production. I remember taking my first bow with my friends on opening night and feeling a rush of excitement and pride to be showing my family what I had been working so hard on for the past few months. Since then, 19 of the 30 productions I’ve been in have been DPH shows.

What has been one of your most memorable experiences at Duluth Playhouse?

The last time the Playhouse did Frozen Jr, in 2019, I played Anna (a total dream role for me). The best part of that show was meeting all of the little girls who dressed up to come see the show and getting to see how excited they were to meet me and Izzy Hansen, who played Elsa. I saw the impact theatre can have on kids’ lives, and it reminded me of why I do it. It was also an extra special show because I got to tell a story about sisterhood with my real-life sister, Sofia, who played Young Elsa. We don’t get to perform together very often, so it’s exciting when we do get to.