On today’s edition, we are continuing our preview of the upcoming Shore Leave 44 Convention coming up next weekend in its new location in Lancaster, PA and today’s guest represents the Star Trek track. On her Instagram, she has done “a couple of Broadway shows, TV, Film, etc.” and she is an art nthusiast!
You have seen her on TV shows like Gotham, Chicago Med, and NCIS: Los Angeles. For the fans of the final frontier, you saw our guest piloted the starship Titan and a whole lot more as Ensign Sidney La Forge in the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard!
Let’s welcome one of Starfleet’s finest and brightest, Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut!
Ashlei, welcome to SNAPSHOTS!
Thank you so much for having me.
You’re welcome. So, before we get into the Star Trek part of our interview, I like to talk about your Broadway experience because I am a huge live theater geek. I mentioned to people that if there’s anything I’ve missed during the pandemic, is live theater.
You made your Broadway debut in my all-time favorite dramatic play, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible at the Walter Kerr Theatre playing Susanna Walcott. What drew you the production?
I had just moved to New York and was trying to find representation and the whole shebang. I ended up going to this casting director workshop. One of the casting directors, who was out casting for that production, had me come in to do a monologue, but it was more just to have me on her radar. It wasn’t necessarily to audition for that specific production. But I was like, “well, how do I follow up with you?” And she just said, “just in your headshot and resume in the mail.” And obviously, when you hear that, you don’t think that anything’s going to come of it, but she actually did receive my headshot and resume in the mail and called me in to audition for it, and that’s how I became a part of the production.
That’s excellent to hear. Most of the people who are familiar with the play, are familiar with the Proctors. It was made into a movie back in the 90s, but for those who have not heard of Susanna Walcott, tell us about that character.
She was one of the girls who was also accused of being a witch. For people who aren’t familiar, it takes place around the Salem Witch trials, but this particular production that we put on, Ivo van Hove directed it, we set it in a school. I was one of the schoolgirls, Susanna, and I also understudied Abigail’s role too on Broadway.
Now, were you a fan of the play itself before taking on the role?
Absolutely! Well, we studied it in high school. I kind of already had a little bit of knowledge of it. Then once I knew that they were going to do like this whole school setting of it, it made me even more excited to be a part of the production, because it hadn’t been done before, especially when it’s set in a school setting which I never even heard of before. I’m glad it had a great take on it.
Who was among the cast when you did it?
Oh, so many people. Abigail – Saoirse Ronan. John Proctor was Ben Whishaw, Ciarán Hinds, Sophie Okonedo, so many big hitters were a part of that production.
Damn, I wish I could see that play back when it was out. What was it like to work with that cast?
A master class. These are the epitome of great acting in our industry. Just to be able to work with them for eight shows a week, just to see them literally give their all to each audience, it was awe inspiring.
Then the following year, you became part of the original cast of A Doll’s House, Part II being the understudy of Emmy Helmer – played by Condola Rashad, the daughter of Phylicia Rashad.
Well, this was a little bit different. I had representation and got an audition to come in and read for the understudy role of it, and I knew it was Condola at the time. I was like, “oh, this sounds really cool.” And also, again from school, we read A Doll’s House, especially in acting classes. We always go back to Henrik Ibsen. And just knowing that number one, it was going to be a comedy, and have this plot of Nora coming back was really interesting. It drew me to come & audition for it.
Well, that’s wonderful. This looks like we’ve found out that you were in two plays that we both have read in high school.
I know!
Is there a play that you read at one point that you would love to be in Broadway one day?
There is a play that I saw actually Off Broadway. It was called Familiar by Danai Gurira, she’s just amazing. I saw that play, and was like, “Oh my God, if this ever comes to Broadway, or if this ever comes back, I would love to be a part of that.”
Well, tell me this, the next time that play happens and you’re in the cast, I better get a call and an email. Then you made the transition into television. You have had bit roles in Chicago Med & Gotham.
Then you found the role of playing Ensign Sidney La Forge in the 3rd and final season of Star Trek: Picard. Before the series, we only knew of Sidney in the TNG series finale “All Good Things”. How did it feel to finally breathe life into the character?
It’s surreal. I mean, I’ve talked about a little bit before, but my mom is a huge Trekkie. So, knowing Geordi La Forge and the history of his character, it was a lot of pressure. And like you said, it was kind of like a cliffhanger, like who is Sidney. Then me coming in and being the voice & body and the helmsman. There’s so much behind Sidney’s character that I knew there will be a lot of eyes on it for sure.
And especially being a strong African American woman playing a character who is following in the strides of Nichelle Nichols, who started the whole thing back in ’66. One of the things that I love about your character, is that like my fan film character, I was as a pilot of a starship.
I remember putting on the uniform, stepping onto the bridge for the very first time and taking it all in. I want you to talk about that same thing with putting on the uniform and stepping onto the bridge of the Titan. What did that feel like it for you?
It’s an indescribable feeling. I know I keep saying surreal, but it really was because you see it on TV. You put on your uniform, and you get your little pip on the on your neck. It’s an incredible feeling. And I hope you know, with other Star Trek series and other things that people are able to become extras or even audition for the show, so they can feel what I felt. Obviously, you’re on a set, but it feels like a different world.
It definitely does. I remember when I was on the film set for Starship Farragut and stepping onto that bridge the very first time. Going over to my console and trying to remember all the buttons I had to push.
There’s a lot, it’s a lot to memorize, right?
Yes, it is. In fact, what it reminds me of is hearing from the sound guys after my second. The soun guys had to remind me, “Dean, don’t play it like a piano. Doing this one here and here and there. Because every time you push a button, we have to make a sound.” I’m glad that we pilots know the dangers of our jobs.
Correct, correct.
Now, in an interview, you mentioned that Geordi La Forge has been on your profile picture on Instagram for years, so it was like destiny for you to not only work with the legend, LeVar Burton, but also work with his daughter, Mica, who plays your sister Alondra. Now, did you three meet prior to filming to establish that family connection?
Yeah, I met LeVar briefly on the lot where our trailers were. Then I met Mica, actually on the bridge. I believe she came by to say “hi!” At the time, I didn’t know that she was actually LeVar’s daughter. I mean his actual daughter. I just was like, “oh my god, this is so cool.” Then when I saw “Burton” on the call sheet. I was like, “wait a minute…” And then Jonathan breaks it to me and was like “no, that’s his real daughter.” I was like, “this is insane!”
And you also have some great scenes with Jeri Ryan, Seven of Nine. It felt like you were both trying to find friendships within your characters. I had a feeling that carried through outside of “action” & “cut” offscreen and you guys continue that connection. Is that true?
Jeri’s so sweet, oh my goodness, such a lovely person. She’s our captain, you know what I mean. I like the way she took us all under her wing and made us all feel comfortable on set. You couldn’t ask for a better a better scene partner and a person to look up to on set than her.
I know you had some time with Jonathan Frakes. Talk about working with the Frakes. When I first heard about Picard and the third season with The Next Generation cast, it was six-year-old Dean jumping up and down and being excited, because that was the show that got me into Star Trek in the first place. To see them again many years later, still got that tact, that friendship, the gravitas is amazing, and it really shows on screen in the third season.
Jonathan Frakes is obviously, an actor, but he’s an actor’s director because he gets it. He knows what it’s like to be on the opposite side of the camera. So, he gives you that leniency and the patience that you need from a director. And on top of that, he’s hilarious. The jokes that he would crack on set. He’s just a character and a lovely human being.
I’m so glad to hear it. If you had to pick the most memorable time that you had filming the entire season of Picard. What was it and why?
That’s hard. There are so many moments. Obviously, the stunt work that we did was really cool. The prosthetics was really cool. There’s so many things that I was able to do that season that I haven’t been able to do prior in my career.
I like to ask all Trek actors the following question. Let’s take Sidney out of the picture and put you in the hot seat. If you, Ashlei, were to go on to the bridge and pick your station, which station will we find you at?
Are you kidding? I’m literally piloting. I do the same thing.
Why would you do the same thing?
I think in real life, years ago, I wanted to get my pilot’s license. I like being in the air and the idea of me piloting and putting other people’s lives are in my hand, maybe it’s a power thing. I don’t know but it just seems really cool.
Absolutely, would you ever want to be a captain of a starship?
Never say never. I think you gotta work your way up the ranks.
I want to talk about your art enthusiasm, because I love going to art museums, especially the ones that we have here in DC like the National Gallery of Art and seeing the classical & current art. What kind of art speaks to you?
Well, it’s actually funny. Joseph Lee, who played Mura on Star Trek Picard: season three, is a phenomenal artist. And he was gracious enough to give me one of his prints. The way he’s able to create this… I don’t even know if you would call it abstract. What he’s able to do with paint and then he layers the paint. I don’t know if you’re familiar with his work at all, but like he’s definitely one of my favorite artists.
When I go to the gallery, I like Monet, Rembrandt, Rodin, Dali, and, oh my gosh, the pop artist Warhol. Do you have any favorite art museums in California or where you travel that are among your favorites?
I mean, obviously there’s LACMA, then there’s Jeffrey Deitch’s gallery. He usually has really Avant garde artists come through and really cool things. I’ve noticed the exhibits that the artists I have seen go on blow up. It’s really cool to see. But Jeffrey is one of my favorites here.
Let’s go back to way back when for a moment. How did acting start out for you? Was it a passion at a young age?
I was like three years old watching Barney and Friends, pointed to the television and told my mom that I wanted to be inside the TV.
As an actress, what do you look for in a role that says this is something I want to take on and want to be part of?
I think it’s a couple things. When I read the script, can I envision myself in the role? Am I drawn to what I’m reading and also is the character something I haven’t done before?
I have a feeling when you did Sidney La Forge for these 10 episodes, there was definitely a lot of things you have not done before. Correct?
Very, very.
That’s good to hear. You’re one of the many guests coming to Shore Leave 44 along with your co-star and Captain, Todd Stashwick. Is this the first time you seen each other since filming wrapped?
No, no, I saw him definitely after filming. I just don’t remember what event I saw him at. But yes, it’s only the first time I’ve seen him in months. So yes, it’ll be a reunion.
When you took on the role of Sidney and they told you about the “Star Trek fans, they are hardcore, they’re dedicated, they are friendly.” How did you take on the initial reaction of entering into the world of Star Trek and meeting the fans who’ve seen your show, see your character, want to meet you, get your autograph, take your picture, and so forth.
Well, to be fair, I haven’t really interacted with a lot of fans, other than at the premiere. This will be my first opportunity to get a chance to interact with fans, and then I get to do Star Trek: Las Vegas after that. This is the beginning of my convention journey, and my interactions and conversations with fans of the show.
So, this is your test bed. We’re going to welcome you with open arms.
See Ashlei’s at Shore Leave 44 at their brand-new location in Lancaster PA, the Wyndham Lancaster Resort and Convention Center. For more information or to purchase tickets, photo ops and more, go to https://www.shore-leave.com/
To follow Ashlei, go to her social media
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