A Room of One’s Own: Andy Thompson
A Room of One’s Own is LMPR’s photography series that showcases the beloved spaces belonging to members of Canada’s artistic scene. With a nod to Virginia Woolf’s essay by the same name, we present self-portraits from artists, arts media, and arts administrators in a room they call their own.
This week we spoke with Canadian actor, producer, writer, designer, director and filmmaker Andy Thompson. A versatile artist with interest and abilities in many different areas, Andy has been nominated for a total of eight Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards. Next week, you can catch Andy in Boca del Lupo’s Fall Away Home, a free, outdoor all-ages production in Stanley Park (Aug. 21 – Sept. 1). This fall, Andy is excited to launch The Zombie Syndrome: On Death Island, The Virtual Stage’s second annual smartphone-enabled, interactive, zombie-themed, roving theatre adventure.
This is Andy’s room:
Q: Which room did you choose?
I chose to be photographed in my living room, in what I informally call “the nook”. It’s very bright and cozy. I spend a lot of time here. In fact, I recently realized this is considered an “enclosed balcony” from the perspective of the building’s designer, which I find interesting. It has all the benefits of a balcony and can be enjoyed rain or shine. Architecturally, it is a rather clever concept.
Q: What makes this room ‘yours’?
I spend a lot of time here collecting my thoughts. It’s the place where I make sure my thinking is in alignment with the kind of life that I want to live. It is here where I make plans, reflect, dream, analyze, read, write, and relax.
Q: Identify three items in the room that you love, and explain why they’re special to you.
Of the objects in the room that have personal significance, I suppose the first is my Ikea “slouchy chair” and footrest. I really enjoy how the chair forms to my rather long back while providing good head and neck support and even a gentle bounce. I love putting my feet up; there’s nothing quite like it to give a sense of peace. I value balance in my life and have found that my best ideas come to me when I am calm and at rest.
In the photo there is also a cup of my morning coffee. I am quite addicted to coffee, and though I’m sure I could give it up if I was forced to due to a worldwide coffee shortage, I happily indulge in at least one coffee a day knowing full well that it isn’t necessarily for nutritional purposes.
Also seen in the photo are two plants that I bought one day en route home from a costume fitting for the TV program “Supernatural”. That particular day I discovered that I’d be performing a couple of scenes with one of my childhood heroes, Hal Linden, who played the lead role in “Barney Miller” when I was growing up as a kid in the 1970’s. As a child, I used to watch that show religiously with my father. Almost four decades later, I found myself in front of the camera with the same actor. So, whenever I see these plants, I reflect upon my childhood, my family, and how things have a tendency to come full circle. They are also a tangible reminder that I can eventually realize my dreams if I am persistent, have faith, and maintain a positive outlook on life.
Andy Thompson can be seen in Fall Away Home from Aug. 21 – Sept. 1 at Stanley Park.
Categories: MPMG