It actually is all Greek to this Lakeview actress in her latest role

Lakeview resident Lilly Apostolou left behind her corporate job a few months ago to pursue a full-time career in the arts and immediately landed a role that seemed made for her in Strangeloop Theatre’s production, Mitera.

“Mitera really is an accurate depiction of Greek life, no matter where you live,” Apostolou said. “My parents are both from Greece and I was born in Chicago. These characters were raised in Mississippi, but I feel that same Greekness in the words of these characters, as it all stems from their mom – their Mitera.”

Apostolou plays Dimitra, a Greek-American woman in her 30s who finds out her mother has left her family’s inheritance contingent on Dimitra marrying within a year of their mother’s death. Dealing with the fallout from this mandate and the revelations it brings will either tear the three sisters apart or bring them, at long last, close together.

“I like the dichotomy of my character,” Apostolou added. “On the one hand, she’s this self-sufficient, artistic jewelry maker who has a life of her own outside of the Greek family business. Then on the other hand, she’s confused and insecure about the future and realizes that she needs her sisters and their acceptance, especially in this stage of her life.”

The biggest challenge she’s faced in the role hasn’t been the Southern accent or navigating the bonds of sisterly relationships (Apostolou is the only girl in her family), but, ironically, the Greek in the script.

“My character is the youngest, who knows the least amount of Greek, so toning down my instinctive Greek pronunciation was tough at first,” she said. “Playing like I don’t know how to perfectly say Greek words that I’ve heard all my life was a slight challenge, but a fun one at that.”

The relationship between the sisters, and especially the comedy that can be found therein, is what Apostolou feels audiences will most enjoy about Mitera.

“Each sister is pretty different in her own way,” she said. “I think it will be fun to witness how major life events bring out the chaotic, but loving side of this family. I think overall, audiences will enjoy seeing this family sort of break down and rise back up, together.”

Apostolou is also a sketch comedy writer who is pursuing stand-up, and has done work at The Second City. Evanston residents may recognize her from Evanston TV where she’s hosted several shows. A classically trained mezzo soprano, she’s hoping her next big role will involve singing as well. When not performing, her interests fall to animals, cinema and traveling – her goal is to see all 50 states (and she’s more than halfway there).

She currently lives in Lakeview East and couldn’t be more in love with the area.

“I’m right next to the lake and in a neighborhood that not only is thriving with great restaurants, bars, and clubs, but is all about peace and love,” she said. “Many same sex couples live in this area and it’s really nice to see how supportive and loving everyone is in this neighborhood. There’s always something fun happening around here, and now with the Cubs season starting, even more goings-on.”

See Apostolou on stage in Strangeloop Theatre’s production of Mitera, running on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. April 7 through May 25 at The North Mansion at Berger Park. More information is available at strangelooptheatre.org.