"If anything makes me a little bit afraid, I make a point to do it." — Rochelle Savitt

After seeing Rochelle Savitt’s compelling performance in Oregon Stage Works’ “Trip to Bountiful,” I was determined to find out more about this gifted actress.

“I was fortunate,” Savitt said, looking fresh and smart as we settled in for lunch at McGraths.

While we talked about her life in the theater, I realized that Savitt has made her own “fortunate” life.

EH: Southern California’s South Coast Repertory Theatre (where OSF Artistic Director Bill Rauch was an associate artist), you were in on the beginning of that?

RS: I was there before they moved into their palace, when they were in a converted dime store. I was in a few productions and did whatever they needed backstage. It all came together for them at a time when I could no longer afford to participate in it. I had to earn a living, and my kids needed me at home. I didn’t get back to acting until my son graduated from college.

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