Spotlight On: Hallie Bee Bard

Hallie Bee Bard (she/her/hers) is an accomplished actor and artistic multi-hyphenate (or, in her words, "Actor +") whose work can be seen on countless Michigan stages.

Hallie Bee Bard

How did you get started in the arts?

I was a fairly dramatic child. I was always singing and creating dances and characters and strories. And then in 1989 I participated in my community theatre's summer youth workshop production of The Little Mermaid. I was eleven years old and my life was changed.

If you could direct/produce one show, what would it be, and why?

There isn't that ONE show for me, nor do I have a real interest in directing or producing. That said, I've always really loved Beth Henley's writing and could stretch the imagination to say that I would enjoy producing one of her plays. Her characters are quirky, odd misfits or social outcasts and the circumstances are often rather absurd. She has a way of simultaneously illiciting empathy and hilarity in ridiculous every day moments.

If you could play one character in all of theatre or film, who would it be and why?

I have totally and completely aged out of this casting pool, but if I could have had a crack at Honey (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), I'd have welcomed the challenge. There is a complexity and a delicacy that exists with Honey that I believe highlights the despicable lack of recognition or care in female reproductive and mental health problems, as well as bodily autonomy, trauma, and social expectations around motherhood.

Name two artistic role models and why you look up to them.

Mother Artists everywhere. Balancing a profession of creating art and mothering children is a very speicific challenge, and I'm always looking up to and admiring fellow mother artists who are making it work in ways that often doesn't seem possible.

If I am pressed to be specific, I'll say Meryl Streep and Catherine O'Hara. While quite different, they are both versatile in their craft and seem to have an authenticity and integrity about their approach. Also, they seem like they are both genuinely kind humans. (I hope that's true)

What did you want to be when you were a child? Are you fulfilling that dream?

When I was a child I wanted to be a "movie star" and I wanted to help people. This was before I knew that theatre existed, so the only performers I knew of were on TV or in movies. I strongly believe that theatre and the art of storytelling are necessary in creating more understanding, empathetic, and unified communities. Yes, my child-self feels fulfilled with my pursuits.

What is your artistic guilty pleasure?

I don't feel guilty about anything that brings me pleasure.

What role/show/experience on your resume is most memorable and why?

The Importance of Being Earnest is memorable for many reasons. I was able to play Gwendolen Fairfax, which had been a dream role. I had the pleasure of playing onstage with my husband. I loved that cast! I discovered I was pregnant with my 3rd child during that show, which brought on a whole host of memorable physical experiences (tight control top pantyhose, superhuman sense of smell, nausea while dancing the Charleston on a revolve). I became extremely ill and wasn't able to finish the run. It was the only time in our 25 year relationship that my husband has dared forbid me from doing something. In his defense, I was quite literally unable to walk or speak, and yet I was SURE I was going to somehow perform. (I can be a tad stubborn) :P

What is your dream for the Michigan Arts Community?

My dreams are that Michigan Artists are paid an equitable living wage and that there is more than enough well-paid work to be had. Professionals shouldn't have to have non-artistic jobs in order to afford to be artists. I also dream of an arts community that supports parent artists so that parents can afford to work and have supportive, quality care for their children.