Hillary Baack (’02)
Freelance actor/writer/director
Hudson, NY
WFU Class of 2002
Majors: Theater and English
DeacLink: Please walk me through your path from graduation day to your current job.
Hillary Baack (’02): After graduation, I moved to NYC, and while holding a day job at FIT, worked on my acting career. I fairly quickly realized there were not a lot of roles for me, compared to my hearing peers, so I decided to write for myself. I wrote a one-woman play, BIRTH STORY, which I performed off-Broadway at The Barrow Group in NYC. After a few years in NYC, doing a few small plays and booking one job on Law & Order, my husband and I decided to give LA a try. We were there for ten years, and while there, I did theater with Deaf West, including SPRING AWAKENING, as well as other smaller plays, and I booked some tv guest roles, as well as a supporting role in the film THE EAST. While there, my husband and I made a little film called YOU & ME. We made our back east and moved to Hudson, NY, where I’ve been focused on sharpening and gathering what I need to make this film about Helen Keller, for which we are close to making. In the midst of that, Elliot Page, a dear friend I made during THE EAST, offered me this incredible opportunity to work opposite him in this intimate improvised piece of independent film. In a way, it’s reminiscent of films of the time when I was at Wake, in a way, coming full circle for me.
DeacLink: How much did your studies and general experience at Wake inform or drive your career path?
Hillary: My theater major had a tremendous influence on my career, as I continued to strengthen my work as an actor, writer and director, all major aspects of my education at Wake. As for mY English major, this also helped strengthen my understanding and skills with storytelling and writing. My professors and peers, across the board, have played roles in my career, as well, such as one friend referring me for an acting role.
DeacLink: How did you find and apply to the various positions you’ve held? Any tips or suggestions for the student audience on networking, interviewing and applying for jobs?
Hillary: Getting involved with various theaters and productions and from there, nurturing friendships and relationships, has been the best way for me to find jobs and opportunities. Doing short films for almost no pay when you’re starting out is a way to get your foot in the door and just start meeting people and getting experience. And creating your own work, in this field, also feels like an important way forward, instead of only waiting for opportunities to come your way, at times, making them! And as for the jobs that come your way, being as prepared as possible, is important. Also, keeping a grounded, balanced life, remembering why you’re doing it, these things are important to keep alive in you.
DeacLink: What is your favorite part of living and working in Hudson?
Hillary: I really love living in this small town in upstate NY. Anytime I need to go to the city, I hop on a scenic train ride along the Hudson River and think about life while watching the sailboats and herons, or catch up on emails. Living here has allowed me to stay connected to Nature and in a beautiful rhythm of life with my family, while having the spaciousness around me to help encourage my creativity. This town also has plenty of theater and film and art and dance, which I have enjoyed, and keeps me inspired, not to mention several others in the Berkshires, and NYC itself.
DeacLink: What is your favorite part about your work?
Hillary: I love the collaborative aspect of filmmaking and theater. I love being in the creative flow of it all, of the acting, or the writing, and following the stream of passion and light within me to help me get closer to what I want to express or create or share. I love marrying hard work and organization to then jump into with freedom and meet that hard-to-articulate/hard to-capture-magic of art. And I love feeling the relationship between artist and audience, and recognizing that it has landed in some significant way, that what was in my heart when I created it now lives in the audience member, for whom it lands…or perhaps awakens something unique within their heart. It can then live in this ethereal place that reminds us of what it is to be alive, to be human.
DeacLink: What and where is next for you?
Hillary: I’ll be staying in Hudson, and I’m hoping to shoot my film about Helen Keller’s incredible life, beyond the well and “wa wa”, her adult life, this spring! I have plenty of ideas for other films and plays, as well, which I hope I’m lucky enough to get to create after this film.
DeacLink: Any other kernel of advice you’d like to impart to the readers?
Hillary: For my fellow actors, writers, directors, I’d say to keep following that which excites you. Everyone’s path is so unique, but keeping that awareness, “does this light me up?”, can help keep one on their best path. I’d also suggest creating your own work, and gathering with your peers to create, just for the love of it, and share with others, just for the love of it, is vital and nourishing and affirming.