In just two seasons, Lisa Goldstein went from new girl on the block to a full-fledged member of One Tree Hill. Now, as she embarks on her third season, Goldstein discusses adjusting to fame, what she has in common with the quirky yet lovable Millicent Huxtable and why she’s in agreement with co-star Lee Norris.
TeenDramaWhore: Pre-One Tree Hill, you primarily appeared in musicals. What made you switch to TV?
Lisa Goldstein: I never really decided to “make the switch.” I have a degree in musical theatre and that is the genre I kept getting cast in. I freelanced with television and film agents when I lived in both New York and Orlando. I was constantly auditioning for TV and film while performing in professional theatre. My agent in Orlando called and told me there was an audition for One Tree Hill, and told me I could either audition for the receptionist or the quirky fashion assistant, “Millicent”. I jumped at the chance to audition for the “quirky assistant”, I thought it would be fun. I put myself on tape and a week later heard that I had booked the role. I had my friend Nicole listen to the voicemail my agent left because I didn’t believe it. It seemed too easy!!
TDW: What are some of the biggest differences between working in theater and working on a weekly television show?
Goldstein: There are so many!! But, two of the biggest are rehearsal time and the size of your performance. I was used to having weeks of rehearsal, and on a TV set you have about five minutes. It was quite a shock to not be able to rehearse the scenes over and over before performing them. Also, in front of an audience you have to project your voice and performance to the back of the theatre, but in front of a camera everything is so much more subtle. I’d look like a total idiot if I performed in front of a camera the way I do in front of an audience. Being too big in front of the camera is actually a big fear of mine. A lot of directors come on set and tell me to be bigger and to do more.
TDW: What is it like working in Wilmington when fans are such a constant presence?
Goldstein: It is both flattering and overwhelming. I’m pretty shy in front of new people, so to have have all these people around who know my name is a lot for me. But it’s also wonderful to know that people have taken to Millie.
TDW: How do you think Millicent has changed over the 2 seasons we’ve seen her?
Goldstein: She is much more confident and I think she has Mouth [Lee Norris] to thank for that. She found someone to love her quirks and all, which made her perfectly OK with being exactly who she is. She has also become more accomplished at work and gained more responsibility which helps with the confidence as well.
TDW: What was your reaction last season when you found out Millie slept with Joe Manganiello’s Owen? (Episode 6.13: Things A Mama Don’t Know)
Goldstein: I pretty much had a heart attack. Just kidding! I honestly thought it was kind of a weird choice it seemed to come out of nowhere, but I trust Mark [Schwahn]. I know it made the season much more interesting for Lee and me. Things were getting a little stagnant and Millie and Mouth needed something big to happen, and that is exactly what did it.
TDW: What can you tell us about Millie’s story this season?
Goldstein: Ooooooooooooh! I can tell you it’s good….reeeeeeeeallly good!!
TDW: Do you have a favorite scene, storyline or memory from the set?
Goldstein: My favorite storyline is this year’s, and I’m SWORN to secrecy. : ) I also loved the stuff in the episode where Millie finds Gigi in Mouth’s bed [Episode 6.10, Even Fairytale Characters Would Be Jealous].
TDW: Lee Norris said he wants Millie to end up Mrs. McFadden. Do you agree?
Goldstein: Yes, absolutely. They’re great for each other. They fought for each other when times got really tough. They respect each other’s profession and are so supportive of one another. And they are in love.
TDW: Do you share any similarities with Millie?
Goldstein: I think it’s really hard not to have similarities with the character’s I play. I was taught to always bring a little bit of “me” to every character. So I certainly have similarities with Millie. I am a diligent worker, I am loyal, and can be pretty shy. However, I am not neurotic or jealous, and I don’t snore for exactly seven minutes at 2AM every night. : )
TDW: How has it been dealing with the loss and addition of cast members?
Goldstein: I never really worked with Chad [Michael Murray, Lucas] or Hilarie [Burton, Peyton]. I miss seeing them around set, but since I never had scenes with them it’s not all that different for me personally. The addition of cast members has been wonderful. I work with Jana Kramer, who plays Alex, a lot. We have a lot of fun together, she is hilarious.
TDW: Once OTH ends, do you plan on focusing on your strictly-acting career or do you plan on going back to musicals?
Goldstein: I hope to do both. I love doing TV and I love doing theatre, and hopefully, once One Tree Hill ends, I can continue to do both.
TDW: Will you ever get the chance to sing on OTH? Or maybe release an album?
Goldstein: Since there are already two female cast members that sing [Bethany Joy Galeotti, Haley; Kate Voegele, Mia], I highly doubt I’ll ever sing on the show, but you never know. I also don’t really have any desire to release an album. I’d rather just sing on stage, but… again… you never know.
TDW: Do you have a Twitter account or any interest in getting one?
Goldstein: I had a twitter account for about 2.5 seconds and couldn’t stand it. So no I don’t have one and I don’t plan on getting one.
TeenDramaWhore: Pre-One Tree Hill, you primarily appeared in musicals. What made you switch to TV?
Lisa Goldstein: I never really decided to “make the switch.” I have a degree in musical theatre and that is the genre I kept getting cast in. I freelanced with television and film agents when I lived in both New York and Orlando. I was constantly auditioning for TV and film while performing in professional theatre. My agent in Orlando called and told me there was an audition for One Tree Hill, and told me I could either audition for the receptionist or the quirky fashion assistant, “Millicent”. I jumped at the chance to audition for the “quirky assistant”, I thought it would be fun. I put myself on tape and a week later heard that I had booked the role. I had my friend Nicole listen to the voicemail my agent left because I didn’t believe it. It seemed too easy!!
TDW: What are some of the biggest differences between working in theater and working on a weekly television show?
Goldstein: There are so many!! But, two of the biggest are rehearsal time and the size of your performance. I was used to having weeks of rehearsal, and on a TV set you have about five minutes. It was quite a shock to not be able to rehearse the scenes over and over before performing them. Also, in front of an audience you have to project your voice and performance to the back of the theatre, but in front of a camera everything is so much more subtle. I’d look like a total idiot if I performed in front of a camera the way I do in front of an audience. Being too big in front of the camera is actually a big fear of mine. A lot of directors come on set and tell me to be bigger and to do more.
TDW: What is it like working in Wilmington when fans are such a constant presence?
Goldstein: It is both flattering and overwhelming. I’m pretty shy in front of new people, so to have have all these people around who know my name is a lot for me. But it’s also wonderful to know that people have taken to Millie.
TDW: How do you think Millicent has changed over the 2 seasons we’ve seen her?
Goldstein: She is much more confident and I think she has Mouth [Lee Norris] to thank for that. She found someone to love her quirks and all, which made her perfectly OK with being exactly who she is. She has also become more accomplished at work and gained more responsibility which helps with the confidence as well.
TDW: What was your reaction last season when you found out Millie slept with Joe Manganiello’s Owen? (Episode 6.13: Things A Mama Don’t Know)
Goldstein: I pretty much had a heart attack. Just kidding! I honestly thought it was kind of a weird choice it seemed to come out of nowhere, but I trust Mark [Schwahn]. I know it made the season much more interesting for Lee and me. Things were getting a little stagnant and Millie and Mouth needed something big to happen, and that is exactly what did it.
TDW: What can you tell us about Millie’s story this season?
Goldstein: Ooooooooooooh! I can tell you it’s good….reeeeeeeeallly good!!
TDW: Do you have a favorite scene, storyline or memory from the set?
Goldstein: My favorite storyline is this year’s, and I’m SWORN to secrecy. : ) I also loved the stuff in the episode where Millie finds Gigi in Mouth’s bed [Episode 6.10, Even Fairytale Characters Would Be Jealous].
TDW: Lee Norris said he wants Millie to end up Mrs. McFadden. Do you agree?
Goldstein: Yes, absolutely. They’re great for each other. They fought for each other when times got really tough. They respect each other’s profession and are so supportive of one another. And they are in love.
TDW: Do you share any similarities with Millie?
Goldstein: I think it’s really hard not to have similarities with the character’s I play. I was taught to always bring a little bit of “me” to every character. So I certainly have similarities with Millie. I am a diligent worker, I am loyal, and can be pretty shy. However, I am not neurotic or jealous, and I don’t snore for exactly seven minutes at 2AM every night. : )
TDW: How has it been dealing with the loss and addition of cast members?
Goldstein: I never really worked with Chad [Michael Murray, Lucas] or Hilarie [Burton, Peyton]. I miss seeing them around set, but since I never had scenes with them it’s not all that different for me personally. The addition of cast members has been wonderful. I work with Jana Kramer, who plays Alex, a lot. We have a lot of fun together, she is hilarious.
TDW: Once OTH ends, do you plan on focusing on your strictly-acting career or do you plan on going back to musicals?
Goldstein: I hope to do both. I love doing TV and I love doing theatre, and hopefully, once One Tree Hill ends, I can continue to do both.
TDW: Will you ever get the chance to sing on OTH? Or maybe release an album?
Goldstein: Since there are already two female cast members that sing [Bethany Joy Galeotti, Haley; Kate Voegele, Mia], I highly doubt I’ll ever sing on the show, but you never know. I also don’t really have any desire to release an album. I’d rather just sing on stage, but… again… you never know.
TDW: Do you have a Twitter account or any interest in getting one?
Goldstein: I had a twitter account for about 2.5 seconds and couldn’t stand it. So no I don’t have one and I don’t plan on getting one.
