NYWIFT Blog

By Lily Della Pietra

Welcome to NYWIFT, Andrea Frierson!

Two-time Helen Hayes Award nominee Andrea Frierson is a Dramatists Guild Fellow, a NYSCA grant recipient, and a Library of Congress Award-winner (Ethnographic Research, American Folklife). Her plays and musicals have been produced by Lincoln Center Theater and the York Theatre Company in NYC, among others. 

As an actor, her Broadway productions include: The Lion King, Once on This Island, Bring in ‘Da Noise/Bring in ‘Da Funk, Eubie!, For Colored Girls, Marie Christine, and Julie Taymor’s Juan Darien: A Carnival Mass. Television appearances include: Quantico, Pose, Red Oaks, Elementary, and Harlem. Andrea was a series regular on the Nickelodeon TV series, Allegra’s Window.

In our interview, Andrea discusses her experiences as a writer, actor, and singer, and her journey writing her memoir.

NYWIFT Member Andrea Frierson

Welcome to NYWIFT! Can you give our readers a short introduction to who you are?

I would describe myself as a multi-hyphenate (writer, actor, and singer), born of a constant desire to redefine myself. Being raised by two classical performing artists greatly shaped my personal and professional evolution. I made my stage debut when I was nine at New York’s City Center, and did my first Broadway show at age 16. Eight more Broadway shows followed. 

Along the way, I worked as an actor in network television and film: episodics, pilots, and a few films. But the tide really changed for me when I had an opportunity to write an episode of a Nickelodeon series on which I was a series regular for three seasons. I became a member of the WGAE and really felt ‘Yes, I can do this.’ 

I continued to write and study the craft of screen and television writing, which has served me. A pivotal moment for me as a writer came when I stumbled upon a story about a community of tenant farmers and quilters in the Depression-era South. I went on to receive an award from the Library of Congress in Ethnographic Research. I still hope to develop that into a film.

Frierson as “The Goddess of Love” in Once on This Island

What brings you to NYWIFT?

A desire to be a part of a community of women in film in television, and an interest in collaborating on projects that interest me, as either a writer or as an actor.

You have an incredibly diverse background in your career, from singing and acting to writing your own musical and memoir. What has been the most fulfilling part of your career so far, and how has each genre shaped the way you approach production?

Writing my memoir has been the most fulfilling artistic endeavor, so far. Partly, because my skill at writing improves with each project – and by ‘improve,’ I mean my ability to say more with less. 

It’s also been the most fulfilling because the more independence I have, the happier I am. Obviously, when working as an employee on a project, there is an expectation that one will craft their expression according to the vision of others, and that’s understandable.

Can you tell us more about your incredible experience as a veteran of five Broadway productions, including Once on This Island and The Lion King?

Once on This Island (soon to be a major motion picture, I understand) was an incredible experience. We were a small cast of 12 and were really a unit – no negativity, jealousy, or aggression, which you often find in Broadway musicals. The music was beautiful, and I had a song I loved (“The Human Heart,” which you can hear on all music streaming platforms). But, generally, performing a Broadway musical eight times a week is extremely hard work, and part of the work is to make it look fun and joyful, even when it is not.

BTS of The Lion King with Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York

You have made many television appearances on shows such as Quantico and Harlem. What have been the most exciting or challenging aspects of these productions?

Quantico was fun because the plot involved being shot at through a window. I got to do the GI Joe (or rather, Jane) “belly crawl” to avoid being hit. 

Harlem was fun because I love comedy, and I got to play a very enterprising beauty salon owner, whose hair styling skills were questionable. That being said, hitting my mark is a skill I’m still working on!

Frierson on the set of Quantico

Are there particular themes or messages you feel passionate about incorporating into your work?

I am interested in stories that cast a light on what it means to be human; stories that allow us to identify with the characters even if we are of a different race, ethnicity, gender, or religion.

Your memoir, Voice Lessons: Painful Truth in Perfect Pitch, tells the story of your experience growing up in Manhattan as the only child of two Juilliard-trained opera singers. What was it like writing about your personal journey, and what do you hope readers will take away from it?

Along with so many positive and enriching aspects of my growing up, there was a lot of perfectionism and classism. Appearances were important in my family. Therefore, the book is about the search for authenticity and finding one’s true ‘voice.’ 

Writing it was mostly a joyful experience, but it was sometimes uncomfortable because there was some early trauma in my life that led to some self-destructive behaviors, at times. So, to some extent, it’s a cautionary tale. But one that will encourage the reader to pursue their ‘truth.’

Frierson on the set of Pose with Indya Moore and Angelica Ross

Learn more about Andrea Frierson through her website or IMDb, and follow her on Instagram at @andiefri05.

(Images courtesy of Andrea Frierson)