New Jersey School of the Dramatic Arts Alum Moves on to the Bright Lights of the Big City

An English teacher once said, “You only get to use one exclamation point in your life.” His view was that a writer’s writing should be able to convey any emotion without using such silly and superfluous punctuation.
However, when talking to a young actress as exuberant and lively as Lilly Baldassare, exclamation points become a necessity.
She explains what it’s been like rehearsing for her first big role in Craig Pospisil’s “Life is Short”, a collection of one-act plays, at the 45^th Street Playhouse in New York.
“One time I was walking to the car and all of a sudden I just saw this big mob of people around Daniel Radcliffe and I thought ‘Oh my God, they’re going to be like that for me one day!’”
Her mother, Amy, chimes in, “I hope so.”
Without missing a beat Lily returns, “I know so.”
That confidence is not misplaced. Lilly was one of the quicker studies in her acting and improv classes. She is also, it would seem, a born entertainer.
She explained she has wanted to perform for as long as she can remember.
“Well, I always remember wanting to just be myself. I always liked to entertain people. When people are sad I like to distract them by doing, whatever, dancing, singing. Whatever.”
Her first foray into entertainment was a dance class that she couldn’t get enough of.
“When I was little I took dance classes and I loved the dance recitals and I would think to myself,” she turns to her parent, “I don’t know if I ever told you this, but I was like ‘I wish we did more!’ and ‘Oh, I wish I could take classes all year round!’ Then the town community theater would come and do previews and I thought, ‘Oh my God! I can’t wait until I’m old enough. I’m going to do that! Then not only am I going to dance but I’m going to sing and I’m going to act!”
By third grade she had joined the Gas Lamp Players, the community theater group in her hometown of Glen Ridge.
Her parents, of course, couldn’t be more pleased with her, “We’re just incredibly proud. So happy that she’s succeeding at something she enjoys. That’s the greatest thing,” her mother said.
“We’re excited. Proud. She’s wanted to do it since she could talk. That’s all she’s ever wanted to do, is be on the stage, so we’re real proud of her,” said her father, Michael.
Beth Baur, of the NJSDA, agrees, “We’re so proud of her and we know she’s going to do great. It’s always so nice to see someone who’s been with the group, the , start to find their way out in the world like that.”
Nowadays, Lilly’s gregarious nature seems to strike a sharp contrast with some of the roles she plays which have included the Wicked Witch of the West and Chartreuse, the morose teenager she plays in “Life is Short.”
“She hates everything. She hates her mom, she hates her dad. She thinks her Dad’s stupid. She doesn’t like her grandfather.”
Although Lilly and her character couldn’t be less alike, inspiration isn’t too far away. According to Lilly, the character bears some resemblance to her 17-year old brother.
She also draws inspiration from the funny women of today such as Tina Fey, Kristen Chenoweth and Kristen Wiig.
“You don’t see a lot of funny girls who aren’t just like,” she affects a ‘Valley girl’ accent, “‘Oh my God, I’m a stupid girl character.’ Normally, when there’s a girl character who’s funny it’s because they’re dumb or something. But they’re like, smart funny.”
“Life is Short” runs from July 7 to July 29, every Thursday and Friday. The 45 Street Theater is located at 354 W. 45 St. in Manhattan. Call (212) 868-4444 for tickets.