Our latest Ask an Actor question comes from Anonymous:

Q: What made you want to become an actor?

A: Honestly? "The Wizard of Oz." When I was three I used to dance around my house pretending to be Dorothy. At that time I also wanted a baby blue VW Bug with Ruby Slippers all over the hood. Needless to say that dream did not come to fruition. And I've yet to play Dorothy, but one year I did go as her for Halloween. 

I grew up singing and dancing and started performing locally (in Pennsylvania, where I grew up) in my community and eventually professionally. When I was nine I worked at my first Equity theatre and I have been blessed in the work I've done since. 

I never really wanted to do anything else. I guess that makes me lucky. I had a goal and I set my mind to it. I hope when I'm old I can look back and say I've contributed something to this world. I think being an actor has made me a better person - playing different human beings has opened my mind and kept me curious, yet respectful. I try not to judge others (though I do admit to observing people I think are interesting for character research!) and I let everything in my life be a learning experience to fuel my art. To any aspiring actors out there I'd say this - be open to the world around you for within it are all the things with which you'll need to play.

Lauren Sowa pictured above in All's Well that Ends Well with Jordan Coughtry.

Ask an Actor is a new feature where you can ask an actor anything! Submit your questions here in the comments or on ASF's Facebook page or by direct messaging @AlabamaShakes on twitter. Questions are answered by ASF actor Lauren Sowa. You can see Lauren in the  Hamlet, All's Well that Ends Well and Lettice & Lovage now through May 23. Keep an eye out for the next Ask an Actor post!