Interview with OLTL’s ex-Dr. Paige Miller by Katherine Thurston

The first Dr. Paige Miller arrived in Llanview back in October of 2004, first played by actress Kimberlin Brown, who left the role in June 2005. Following Brown’s recast came actress Cady Huffman, who took over the role in August 2005. However, in January 2006, TPTB decided once again to recast the role. So OLTL brought in actress Alexandra Neil to come in as the third Paige Miller, whom has been in the role now over a year, and has done an outstanding job.

Recently I had the opportunity to interview Alexandra Neil to find out more about her personal and professional life, as well as her connection to other OLTL cast members.

KATHERINE THURSTON: Can your share some insight into your everyday life?
ALEXANDRA NEIL: I’m married to a wonderful actor, John C. Vennema. We live in Tribeca [NYC] with our girls — my daughter Zoe, age 14, and his daughter Bess, age 18. Zoe is into dance, and Bess is a horseback rider who does eventing. [horse and rider competitions]

KT: What other interests do have besides acting? Are you involved with any charities?
AN: I’m (thankfully) always working on something. I do a project every summer with the Williams College Summer Theater Lab that I write and direct. I’ve also directed quite a few projects in New York. I’ve acted in a lot of plays. I teach an acting class at Michael Howard Studios, where I also act in and direct workshops. And of course, I do film and TV whenever I can. I directed a documentary film on the Beat poets a few years ago, which I never finished, and which now looks like it will be a part of a larger project by the brilliant filmmaker Walter Salles. I feel very honored to be a part of something he’s working on. I’m also writing a play about my family.

I am very involved in being a mom. I read a lot. We go to the beach every summer weekend, which is my favorite place. I love to travel. I am working on improving my French. I figured if my daughter can have tutors, so can I! I’m into fashion, though not nearly as much as Zoe.

I am very dedicated to two charities. The first is The New York Opportunity Network, which mentors talented NYC high school students from low-income families. It is run by Jessica Pliska, who is married to Greg Pliska, an excellent musical theater composer. The kids they sponsor have gone on to many of the top colleges. The second is Mothers-to-Mothers. This is a program that was started by Dr. Mitch Besser, with whom I went to college. He has a number of clinics in Africa that are dedicated to preventing the transmission of HIV from mothers to babies. They have a very high success rate, and are actually saving a generation of Africans. The program also empowers women by giving them employment and by helping them to help each other. It is amazing, and is actually something Paige would love. Ellen Dolan (Margo Hughes on As The World Turns) and I are sponsoring a benefit for M2M on April 23. (Fans are invited — contact the fan club of either show for tickets.)

KT: Do you enjoy working and living in such a busy city like New York? Have you spent much time on the West coast? East or West - Which do you prefer?
AN: I am a die-hard New Yorker. I love the energy of the city. I have lived in LA briefly, and enjoyed it, but am fiercely loyal to living here and committed to raising Zoe here. I think New York is the best place in the world to grow up. There is culture everywhere, and everyone does something different and interesting. You can have an adventure just by walking down the street. It is never boring.

KT: So what was it like working with Paul Satterfield as Spencer, the character who was hated by everyone in Llanview?
AN: I love Paul’s energy on-screen, his commitment to the role, and his attention to detail. He made a big deal once about the fact that Spencer would tie his tie in a Windsor knot — I loved that! I think we worked very well together. I will miss him.