Briana Harger Comes Back On-Stage for World Premiere with TheatreReset
Local actor Briana Harger was part of TheatreReset’s first production in 2023 and thankfully, she keeps coming back. She’s featured in the world premiere of Chance Meeting by Columbus playwright Heather Schultz in TheatreReset’s 8th Short Play Festival (TR8), Sept. 25-26 at the Columbus Performing Arts Center.
Susie: How did you get started in acting?
Briana: I didn’t start acting until I was 29. My whole life, I had felt too insecure to try it, even though I had the desire. But I eventually became emotionally secure enough to take the risk and embark on this new path (yay therapy!). In 2019, I took an acting class with a local, independent acting teacher. I learned so much and it really boosted my confidence. After that, I started auditioning for shows and working with various theaters around Columbus. It’s been a great journey!
Susie: How do you choose which shows to audition for?
Briana: As a mom, I am more selective about the shows I audition for simply because I don’t have the time to do back-to-back productions. So I only audition for shows I can get really excited about. When I hear about an upcoming show, I look up the production and see if it’s a story I would personally want to be involved in telling. I also try to consider if it’s a story my friends and family would enjoy seeing. In this way, my acting is something I can actively share with my immediate community.
Briana in Shane at Actors’ Theatre
Susie: What keeps you interested in being onstage?
Briana: Honestly, acting is just fun. I love working on a new show, diving deep into character analysis, figuring out how to say this line or what to do in reaction to that line. The rehearsal process is a blast and there’s usually so much laughter involved. And when it comes to being onstage, there is nothing better than the feeling of hearing the audience having the exact reaction you wanted them to have. When they laugh or shout or cry because of something you did or said – it’s amazing. It means we’re bringing the story to life and it’s having an effect on people.
Susie: Do you have a favorite role you’ve performed? If yes, what made it a favorite?
Briana: Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to play Marian Starrett in the cast of Shane. The play is based on a Western novel about a mysterious cowboy who comes to town and ends up helping a local family. Some people might be familiar with the movie version. However, in the play, Shane is a Black cowboy and the Starretts are a Latino family. This was my first time playing a Latina character, and it was so much fun. Bringing a different part of my personality into the show along with some of my culture, and even speaking my native language on stage, was incredible. I only wish my parents had gotten the opportunity to see the show. (They’re alive, they just live in Florida.) I was definitely channeling my mom in some of those scenes.
Susie: What do you do to relax and unwind?
Briana: I love anime. When I’m feeling stressed or sick or just need to relax, I will usually put on one of my favorite shows. I love Haikyu! 10 out of 10 – definitely one of my favorites. I also watch a lot of Gintama. At this point, I’ve watched it so much at night as part of my wind down routine that my brain is trained to get sleepy whenever it’s on. I also love to read. My favorite genres are mysteries and historical fiction. If you ever meet me out in the wild, just bring up books or anime and you’ve got a new friend.
See Briana in the world premiere of Chance Meeting by Columbus playwright Heather Schultz in TheatreReset’s 8th Short Play Festival (TR8), Sept. 25-26 at the Columbus Performing Arts Center.
About the author
Susie McGarry is a founding member of TheatreReset.
This article is part of a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council as part of the Art Makes Columbus campaign. Explore a calendar of events, public art database, artist-curated public art tours and stories at columbusmakesart.com. To learn more about GCAC grants visit gcac.org.