Meet Pearl Paramadilok in "The Heidi Chronicles"

"The Heidi Chronicles" by Wendy Wasserstein is directed by Sara Carranza and stars Pearl Paramadilok. Comprised of a series of interrelated scenes, the play traces the coming of age of Heidi Holland, a successful art historian, as she tries to find her bearings in a rapidly changing world. 

"The Heidi Chronicles" runs at Prop Thtr from September 2 through October 08. The play is produced by The Cuckoo's Theater Project and tickets can be purchased here: http://heidi2016.brownpapertickets.com/

What's your personal story? I am from two worlds and I don't belong in either of them - I was born in Chicago and raised by Thai-Chinese parents who struggled to feed and put their kids through school. You know, the immigrant life. I had a really hard time navigating school because my parents didn't understand what it was like to grow up in this society: dealing with popularity, being made fun of, and why people looked at me differently. Somehow I made it through to college graduating with a BBA in Marketing from Loyola University Chicago. I hated it. I have always loved art and science but I went into business thinking I would have a good job after college. I was wrong. Luckily, I did theater at the same time. Not because I wanted to act but because I wanted to get over my stage fright... or be famous... I don't remember. However, 

I found that acting was more meaningful than just fame.

I have been acting in theater since 2008 and from then I also have been modeling and have appeared in commercials. I have been very lucky in my life to be able to do this.

What's your character's story in "The Heidi Chronicles"?I actually play Heidi! WHAT? There is a given story description that you can read but I really don't like it. So...Heidi is an odd ball or is she? She is a very intelligent, introverted, big heart-ed, sarcastic asshole who goes through life trying to find her place in the world. We see several scenes with her struggling to fit in society, struggling with her friends, and struggling with her loves. 

Society keeps telling her how to be a person and at what level she is allowed to be content. 

One of her loves, Scoop, keeps messing with her feelings for him. And her friends start moving on with their lives from her.

How does your character overcome those challenges?That's the story of "The Heidi Chronicles". I can't really say much, spoilers, but she deals with the pull and push of what society thinks her role should be. She comes into her own through the many unfortunate events in her life.

Any last comments?

I believe I am the first Asian American to play Heidi Holland as far as I can tell. 

But you shouldn't go because of that, you should go because this story is for OUR time and the cast and crew are amazing. They bring a different element to this dramedy worthy of this classic staple of modern theater.