2000s kids were on the edges of their seats to see Elizabeth Gillies take the stage for Tulane University Campus Programming’s first big guest event of the year.
Gillies, best known for her role as Jade in “Victorious” and Fallon in “Dynasty”, kept the audience laughing and engaged for the hour-long interview in her Tulane-colored outfit: a green pantsuit and baby blue heels. Ko Bragg, Professor of Practice in the Department of Communications, conducted the interview and said the crowd sounded like a laugh track, reminiscent of Gillies’ days on the teen show “Victorious.”
During the discussion with questions that guided the listeners chronologically through her career, Gillies discussed everything from life as an adolescent on Broadway to landing her role on “Victorious” with close friend Ariana Grande.
Gillies spoke about the challenges of transitioning into the industry after starting so young in theater and on Nickelodeon. She grew up in New Jersey, which Gillies said gave her a leg up in accessing Broadway at a young age. She made her Broadway debut at just 15 years old.
Growing up in theater is not a traditional childhood.
“You miss out on a couple normal life things for sure, when you’re on a set from an early age,” Gillies said. “And I would say that that can be a sad thing, but it’s exactly what I wanted and it’s what I was fighting for and hoping to achieve.”
Gillies was close with Grande before starring in “Victorious” together, from when they shared a dressing room on Broadway. The duo flew to Hollywood with their moms together to screen test for the Nickelodeon show.
“I think Jade was a symbol of all that is a bit different in all that has been left, and she wore it proudly, and that’s something that I resonate with very well,” Gillies said. “I’m kind of weird, and I’ve always felt that was a strength, not a weakness.”
Gillies’ passion for acting was obvious in how she spoke about her favorite projects. Theatre kids in the crowd perked up when she mentioned playing Audrey in the off-Broadway production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” To prepare for the show, Gillies said she practiced running up and down towering spiral staircases in stiletto heels.
To close out the event, Gillies asked the audience what she should sing before saying farewell. With an uproar of responses, she chose the iconic “5 Fingaz to the Face,” a “Victorious” classic. Gillies invited a student onstage for an impromptu performance that stole the show.
In what looked like a childhood fantasy come alive, the student sang the entirety of “5 Fingaz to the Face” to the audience while Gillies and Bragg watched from their seats.
After the interview, TUCP announced their guest coming to campus, former Saturday Night Live cast member, Michael Longfellow. Tickets are live and available for free for Tulane students on TUCP’s Instagram account. The show will be on Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. in McAlister Auditorium..