ActorsTina TurnbowApril 18, 2024Natalie Gold, D'Arcy Carden, Wikihole, Appropriate Play, actor, beauty, makeup, self care, Ogee, Tina Turnbow, The Bare Magazine, theatre, podcasts, plays, Brooklyn

Natalie Gold in Convo with D'Arcy Carden

ActorsTina TurnbowApril 18, 2024Natalie Gold, D'Arcy Carden, Wikihole, Appropriate Play, actor, beauty, makeup, self care, Ogee, Tina Turnbow, The Bare Magazine, theatre, podcasts, plays, Brooklyn

The tell-tale trait of what makes New York so adored (and hated) often circles around its quick-paced demeanor – you might have to put yourself at risk of a caffeine overdose if you’re unable to keep up with the local cadence. However, true locals adore the city not for the timed-up, but rather timeless moments that are just as characteristically New York as its hasty-speed. Such is the case for actresses D’Arcy Carden and Natalie Gold who started their conversation recalling the first time they met: a small Fourth of July party the duo had been invited to with their current husbands almost “two decades ago” as D’Arcy dates it, following the week she had just moved to New York. It was exceptionally endearing to witness these two catch up as both creatives are currently building their own niches and voices beyond their television-acting careers: Natalie is currently staring as Rachael in “Appropriate ” on Broadway and D’Arcy has launched her own podcast series called Wikihole (it’s no wonder she was able to interview Gold for BARE with such grace). As Natalie gave D’Arcy the behind-the scenes scoop from her time at both Appropriate and Succession, she shared all things self-care, motherhood, and the general growing pains, or more accurately, wonders of the evolution of her acting career.

D'Arcy Carden: What does it mean to you to be on Broadway in this moment?

Natalie Gold: It’s truly insane. I’ve done a lot of Off-Broadway theatre, which I have loved. When I had my daughter I chose to do less theatre. I was missing nights and weekends with her. Also, it was expensive to do Off-Broadway theatre when she was little. So much babysitting needed. I think as the years went by I started to trick my brain into thinking that I didn’t miss theatre. But working on “Appropriate”…….I realized I was lying to myself. I’ve been missing it and needing it. I love doing this play so much. To be part of Branden Jacobs Jenkins long overdue Broadway debut is an honor. It’s a brilliant play full of my acting idols and directed by Lila Neugebauer one of my favorite people and directors. Doing this play is fulfilling a dream I never thought possible.

DC: Okay, I want to say play opened in the fall. One thing that BARE readers may or may not know, is that when you're on Broadway, correct me if I'm wrong, you do your own makeup and hair. How do you enjoy doing your own hair and makeup?

NG: It’s kind of meditative. Elle [Fanning who formerly played River on the show] and I shared a dressing room at our first theatre which was so much fun. We would gossip while i used $25 hot rollers for my hair which is what I do for every show. It's also kind of just an exercise and activity that gives me a little bit of comfort before I go out there. And for makeup, I focus on natural makeup.

DC: What about the makeup in real life, because this has a purpose of going on-stage and it's for the actor, but when it’s just fun Natalie out in the world, do you like to do your own hair and makeup?

NG: I try not to; I mean I do not put on makeup if I don’t have to.

DC: Do you use a lot of the same products or skincare or anything on stage that you would in your real life?

NG: Yes, but we had we had a makeup artist come in to consult with us and she taught me about bronzer. So, I am more orange in the play than I am in real life

DC: Okay, so you're playing Rachel. I don't want to spoil for myself i’m to see it soon…but what would you say the top three qualities of Rachel are?

NG: She's very certain, she stands by her convictions, and I think she has some dignity. She's also flawed but her children are her whole life. Through rehearsal I realized I was judging her [Rachel] quite a bit and now I kind of admire her conviction.

DC: Do you find this play particularly hard to disconnect from afterwards? Or can you leave it on stage?

NG: I don't find it hard to disconnect. There’s a beautiful joyousness and laughter that awaits backstage.

DC: Shifting to Succession, what do you miss most about it? What did you love most about it?

NG: Oh, I loved every second. The actors, directors, crew, and the writers. The writing on that show is genius.

DC: Okay, this is a broad question. When do you feel most like you…like yourself?

NG: I feel most like myself lying in bed with my daughter and my husband watching television on the computer. My daughter makes fun of me and she does a great impression of me! She lies in my bed in a specific way with my glasses on and my computer on her lap.