GALO: Following the infamous “Never Been Kissed” episode husbands Dan Savage and Terry Miller approached you about being a spokesperson for the “It Gets Better Project” that aims to prevent LGBT teen suicides. Especially after you had to portray Dave attempting suicide once he was outed, which was intense, what was it like being part of a project that could really make a difference in kids’ lives who are struggling with their identity in the real world? People may think that the world is growing more tolerant, but in high school, when fitting in is everything, for these kids bullying is still a huge problem and can make them think that there’s no way out.

MA: I know it is which is why I was so thrilled to get to be a part of the “It Gets Better” campaign. That kind of goes with what I was saying before — that it just surpasses any entertainment, television show, actor or job. This was the main platform to get to speak to these kids, and really let them know that despite what you are experiencing, if it’s happening around you, in your neighborhood or school, that there is this beautiful, accepting and powerful world out there, and people do want to help you and want you to succeed, survive and do well. To get them to understand that and to be a part of that was so cool. And that was a spontaneous thing where I was going to Washington, D.C. to speak for the Anti-Defamation League at the Kennedy Center and “It Gets better” happened to be there. They came to my hotel room and started a camera, and I spoke from the heart about what I wanted to say. It was just great timing because that’s when all the messages were coming in after the “Never Been Kissed” episode, and pretty much to get to respond back to everybody and tell them my feelings about what’s going on and who they are was such a cool connection to have.

GALO: Apart from Glee you’ve been involved in many other independent films, like 23 Blast and Saugatuck Cures, and have been with The Porters of Hellsgate Theatre Company doing Shakespeare productions since 2008. Do you thrive in this kind of diversity? What attracts you to certain roles and what do you look for in a character when choosing a part?

MA: I don’t want to do the same thing twice, if possible. To go from playing a football player, to a navy guy, to a Vietnam soldier, it is fun to get to switch between different lives. What was really cool about those movies is that I got to travel around the nation. All the different projects were shot in different states. This work takes you to various parts of the world that you wouldn’t normally get to see or spend time in, and that’s always a true treat. You get to hang out with everybody in the town, and see different cultures and communities. All those movies were very different. I think I look for a good arc, where the character starts somewhere and ends up somewhere else. I’m interested in the journey it takes that character to reach that final destination and what happens along the way. In each of those movies, luckily, the roles I played had nice arcs from beginning to end.

GALO: So now you are adding to your portfolio a role on the ABC Family show Switched at Birth where you play Tank, a fraternity brother who befriends Bay through their college art class. Can you talk more about your character and what we can expect from him? Did you jump at the chance to join the ABC Family cast?

MA: I sure did. They do the same thing as Glee where they use the power of the media to put good messages out there. Messages of positivity, and at the same time being entertaining. It’s also showing what the deaf community lives like, the schools they go to, and how they operate on a daily basis. It was fascinating. They’re doing really good things over there, and I thought the cast was really talented. I definitely did jump at the chance to work on a show that has great influence and also talented people. As far as Tank, he’s a complex guy who on the outside is your typical frat guy, class clown, football player, who has no interest in art or culture. Then he meets Bay, who is very interested in art and is a talented artist, is cultured, and has completely different interests than what Tank’s normally exposed to. I think he’s very intrigued and fascinated by that, as is she. She doesn’t really spend any time with your football-playing frat guy, and I think that they both have things to explore about themselves through each other. The question about Tank is does he want to give up everything that he’s known and the safe route in life, or does he want to be a different guy who’s into art, culture and museums? Or is he not mature enough to take that leap and will keep doing what he knows? That’s the back and forth you’ll see in some episodes.

GALO: So they really make a connection that way.

MA: They definitely see the world the same way. They both have a wise-cracking sense of humor. They get each other, but it’s also very fun because these are two people who have never been around people like this. Tank just kind of hangs out with the bros, has guy’s night with beer pong, plays football. She’s never been in that world. Bay is into painting and drawing on easels, and Tank has never seen that. They experience these new emotional feelings because of each other.

GALO: I’ve noticed on Switched at Birth that the bulk of the lead characters have to learn an extensive amount of sign language, since several actors play someone who is deaf, and conversing with deaf people is a huge part of the series. Was that something that you had to learn as well?

MA: I did have to sign, but it was just for one scene, in one episode, so far. I’m hoping it’s more because I’m fascinated by it. I have so much respect for the actors and the cast, who, because of the show, have learned amazingly well how to speak in sign language fluently. They interpret for me with the deaf actors on the show. It’s incredible. In the lunch room, half the people are speaking and the other half are signing. Experiencing it live is beautiful. I’m definitely hoping there’s more. They had an all sign language episode last season and you’re just living with a part of that cast for a day. I remember last week, we were all having lunch, and Katie [Leclerc, who plays Daphne on the show] was interpreting for me. She was with me and Ryan Lane [who plays Travis], who’s deaf in real life. I was having a conversation with Ryan while Katie was interpreting during lunch. She was using her hands going back and forth so much that she couldn’t eat. She was so busy talking with her hands that she couldn’t pick up her fork for 50 minutes [laughs]. Ryan was joking how it happens a lot and when deaf people go out to eat, they all have to eat very quickly [laughs]. That’s the joy of being on that show and being an actor; you get to experience all these different lifestyles.

GALO: Aside from the “It Gets Better” project that we talked about, you’re also an activist for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, something that I know is special to you and personal because of the passing of your mom and grandmother from FSHD. I read that you said you felt like you owed it to your mom to be a spokesperson for this cause as a way to return the favor for her being so supportive of your acting career. Can you talk about the work that you do for this association and how it has impacted your life? Do you feel that in a way it’s brought you some closure?

MA: The work that I do is a lot. I go to headquarters in Tucson, Arizona and I talk with the scientists, doctors, and researchers there. I find out what’s going on with all the different lab results, research, finding the genes, the correct chromosomes, and which gene turns the muscular dystrophy on. All the research is fascinating and shows how close we really are. It’s just a matter of getting the money and raising awareness so that people know about it, and so that we can find a treatment or cure. The mission for me is to do that. A part of it is the muscular dystrophy telethon. I also host different walks every year, like in Irvine, [CA], and CBS Studios in L.A. does a big walk to raise money. I just went to the Botanical Gardens in New York a few months ago and hosted an event there, too. I’m using the small platform I have that may make people aware that there is this disease, this is what it does, this is how it impacts families, that there’s something that can be done, and this is how we can help today. And it is a full circle thing because I did watch my mom suffer because of it toward the end of her life, and that was before I moved to L.A. To be able to have found success in what I’ve dreamed of doing and then turn it around to try to cure this disease that bothered her for so many years, it’s a very cool, full circle feeling.

GALO: So with all the activist projects you’re a part of and with the start of your new role on Switched at Birth, you have a lot of things that keep you busy. Are there any other projects that you have in the works to keep your schedule full, or are there certain roles that you hope to play in the future that might challenge you as an actor?

MA: There are tons of roles I hope I get to play in the future. I know I have four more episodes coming up on Switched at Birth, and there’s a lot to learn and prepare for that, so I’m giving most of my time to that to make it the best it can be. I just finished a movie in Austin and Michigan, so those are in post-production now. On the side, I actually write. I have a couple of friends in New York and we wrote a pilot together, which is a Wall Street meets Homeland thing. And another buddy of mine, from that Shakespeare company, The Porters of Hellsgate, and I wrote a movie together that we’re working on getting financed and produced. So, I always have my own projects on the side that I would love to have creative control over. But when I’m working all the time — like on Switched at Birth — that kind of takes a backseat. So that’s what I’ve got brewing now.

New episodes of Switched at Birth premiere on January 13, 2014 at 8/7c. For more information visit http://abcfamily.go.com/shows/switched-at-birth.


Video Courtesy of: ABC Family.

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