Who: Julia Megan Graham, a fine arts senior in the Professional Actor Training Program. Graham is minoring in family studies and human development.

What: Graham just finished “”Tartuffe”” with Arizona Repertory Theatre. She is looking forward to auditioning for “”Betrayal”” and “”Romeo and Juliet.””

Bio: Graham was born and raised in Tempe.

Wildcat: What would you like people to know about you?

Graham: That I would like to know more about them first!

W: What projects are you currently working on (or what will you do in the future)?

G: Well, I just finished a production of “”Tartuffe”” with Arizona Repertory Theatre, and the audition process for our shows next semester is just getting underway. I’m excited to be a part of either “”Betrayal,”” which is this really compelling contemporary drama, or the classic “”Romeo and Juliet”” during the spring semester.

W: What inspires you when it comes to acting?

G: People. All people. I absolutely believe that there is something to be learned, good and bad, from every single person. I love being able to learn from other people and then trying to portray them through a character.

W: Who are your favorite actors in the business? Why?

G: There are so many! Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Natalie Portman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Laura Linney – to name a few. Anyone who can make you feel what they are feeling. They are just so real and genuine and captivating to watch.

W: Give me your favorite line that you’ve done in a play and tell me why that is.

G: “”Take me with you. Tonight. We can live in the swamp and eat brown roots, and I will become old and ugly and more stupid and more ignorant and never love you, but at least we’ll be together.”” This part holds a special place in my heart as the first lead role I ever played and also the craziest character: Sophia in Neil Simon’s “”Fools.”” I was a sophomore in high school. I’ll never forget it.

W: What is your favorite play/musical?

G: I’ve been into Edward Albee lately, so maybe “”Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”” or “”A Delicate Balance.”” My favorite musical is usually just the latest one I’ve seen, so right now it’s “”How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.””

W: What is your favorite song?

G: Probably the acoustic version of “”I’m Sorry Mary”” by Matt Wertz.

W: What kind of food do you like to eat?

G: Food with carbs. I love carbs!

W: When did you start acting?

G: Probably first grade when me and my best friend would spend hours every day making up elaborate plays or talk shows or sitcoms in my room and then “”sell tickets”” to my mom for 50 cents and make her watch them. Moms are always the best audience.

W: What do you think about when you have to create a sad scene for the character that you’re portraying?

G: I think that it is very important to be empathetic as an actor. Not sympathetic – because that leaves room for judgment – but empathetic. It is important to me to try to truly grasp why a character feels and acts as they do. Once you understand it, the emotion comes naturally.

W: What do you think about when you have to create a joyous scene for the character that you’re portraying?

G: The same goes for a joyous scene as a sad scene, but I can’t help but smile when I think about my family.

W: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

G: I love that I don’t have an answer to this question. I mean I have ideas and goals for where I might be, but I really have no idea, and that is so exciting.

W: What do you think of Tucson?

G: I try not to think of it.