Craig Wilson interviews actress Shirly Venard via email about her family, career, and upcoming release of the film, “Prologue,” which premieres in Minnesota July 13 at the ICON Theater in St. Louis Park. Thanks to Erin Hunter, who recorded this interview.
What was your childhood like?
Your Hill & Lake Press communiqué requested that: “I consent to an interview for a local newspaper concerning impactful moments in my career and personal life.” I acquiesced and began to open my memory windows to early days which led to my lifelong career. The first image is my mother in a fox stole and my father in a pinstripe suit holding a baby—me—their first and only child with loving, accepting gazes. That picture never left.
When moving from St. Louis—hot, sultry, and friendly—to Minnesota—not so much of the above, we settled in what was, even then, a community of artists and their patrons with opera, legitimate theater, and flourishing film houses. Mother had been an amateur actor in St. Louis and now was busy with my father’s career, so she entered me into dramatics taught by Anne Heritage Scott at MacPhail music.
My first recital was at six years old, and my last class was when I was 18. I studied every year save summers, Anne having been a Broadway actor, schooled me in pantomimes, dialects, occasionally in dance class and critiqued every performance from an early age. I cherish her wisdom, her flair and her serious approach to stepping on to the stage. She was a good coach and demanded the hard work of a performer. I have never deviated from this pursuit and am so grateful for the producers and directors who have invited me on their artistic paths and have stayed close.
How did you become a professional actress?
On to the University of Minnesota theater department and anthropology as a minor. Sixty-one memorized productions (yes, some were scenes) before I graduated in ’61. It was a small theater department taught by outstanding professors who wanted to see us succeed in all venues.
Throughout the school years, many of us were performing weekends, small events and readings. We were learning and working at the same time. That is where I began improv and historical recordings, which paid well, introducing broadcast into our litany of talents.
Some of us recorded numerous albums for the Catholic Church and along with being generously rewarded, we heard fascinating stories of nuns sneaking out of the window at night to have a hamburger or cigarette. Often times they were funnier than we were.
I have been fortunate to tour shows, get married, begin a family, get divorced, continue the family and realize then, as even now, my first priority was my children. My second being my enduring career in broadcast, stage and film. How lucky to be in this marketplace where writers, corporations, studios, media, directors, actors and crews all love one thing together: the business.
What were some of your favorite roles?
Theater was my first love; however, I grew to love the medium of radio—which is coming back, by the way—and now film. I look forward to each film opportunity as I’m doing more than I thought.
Some of my favorite stage roles: early on Mrs. Malaprop in Sheridan’s “The Rivals,” Martha in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” Jean Brodie in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” Jocasta in “Oedipus Rex,” a long run of “Dolly,” Virginia in “Three Viewings” by Jeffrey Hatcher and several rewarding roles at Chanhassen. I had three roles in Caryl Churchill’s “Cloud 9” at the historic Cricket Theater, which were lifechanging for the performers and the audiences indeed. Gratitude for those directors, writers who made it all happen: Luigi Salerni, Garland Wright (three astonishingly memorable seasons at the original Guthrie), the late Charles Nolte (a gift to theater), Kent Stephens, Douglas Hughes and for film the Zellner Brothers and Justin Joseph Hall of Fourwind Films.
Your latest role is in the film, “Prologue,” which premieres in Minnesota July 13 from 6-10 PM at the ICON Theater in St. Louis Park. What is the film about and what is your role?
As described by its summary on the www.fourwindfilms.com website, “Prologue is a short film charged with secrets and terrible communication skills. It follows Julie, a young Italian woman living in Northern California. She is perfectly happy until her husband expects something from her that she doesn’t feel comfortable giving and cannot figure out how to tell him. With the unexpected help of an elderly stranger, Julie navigates how to live her truth.”
According to its writer, Piper Werle, “Prologue tells the story of a woman not being heard by a loved one about her wants and needs. The gaslighting our character deals with is a symptom of a problem that can lead to women’s— and human— rights being trampled on in bigger ways, like this.” I played the role of the “elderly stranger,” Christina, who helps resolve a marital issue.
I was flown to LA, and we drove six hours to film on location in Yosemite. It was a blast! Fortunately, we wrapped up filming just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and severe fires plaguing Northern California. I start shooting my next film this month locally.
Your raised highly successful kids in Lowry Hill. Tell us about them and what they’re up to?
Last but always first, two of my wonderful children have developed nonprofits for our cities — my son Whitney, director of Friends of the Mississippi River, my daughter Adrienne of Project Success. Kate leads outreach for our Met Council and Erika is a chiropractic doctor. All helping our communities!
I’m glad of this visit too, but we need another edition to wax lovingly about my family, travels, devoted partners in Lipservice— the first talent guild in the United States.
Any parting thoughts?
Jimmy Stewart had a “Wonderful Life.” My life, thus far and my surroundings have been astonishingly blessed as well as thoughtful, instructive, and inspirational.
