Chatting with Aubrey Plaza and Alia Shawkat

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Josine Torres in News

Marleni Lopez

Josine Torres

Chronicle Reporters

The “Taste of Tomorrow” event that took place on Oct. 14 held a showcase of job opportunities and delicious food. Certain celebrities stopped by to share some advice with students aspiring to join the restaurant or entertainment industry in sessions hosted throughout the school. One such session featured comedic actresses, Alia Shawkat and Aubrey Plaza.

Shawkat and Plaza are known for their work in the popular comedy television shows, “Parks and Recreation” and “Arrested Development.” Their success is encouraging for aspiring actors, especially for young girls as it shows them that even in a predominantly male dominated career, women are more than capable.

Shawkat spoke of her upbringing and her parent’s encouragement to follow her dreams to become an actress. As she got deeper into Hollywood, Shawkat had to redefine herself and says success comes with being creative with the work and with oneself, producing one’s own work is the best direction one can go, and to be delusional about dreams.

Plaza’s love of acting started when she joined her community theater in Wilmington, Delaware. She states that she always had been weird and only felt right with her theater friends. With her parents’ support she went to New York University to study film production where she began a web series and performed improv and sketch comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater.

After a stint with numerous web comedy shows, she ventured off into television starring in “Parks and Recreation” alongside Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. During her time on “Parks and Rec”, she recalled her nervousness and uncertainty with being a part of something that at the time was big for her. As she reflected on her time there she advised the audience to not second guess themselves or run from being rejected as it could lead to endless possibilities.

With only a few minutes left in the session, the floor was open to curious audience members who were looking for more advice. Questions varied from future plans to role models and even blue cheese which Shawkat and Plaza shared their disinterest in. Each shared their plans on writing and creating for themselves in the future and hope to further continue their careers in the entertainment business.

Fans of Shawkat can see her in the her latest movie, “Me Him Her” and she will also star in “Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday” coming out in 2016. As for Plaza she will be starring alongside Zac Efron “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” and “Dirty Grandpa” which are set to premiere in 2016.