A bit about me!
Hi! My name is Madison Gough, although most people call me some sort of nickname (the most common is Maddy, but I’ve also gotten Maddy G, MG, Mads, Gough, etc.). I am an actor, singer, and director currently based in the DMV and NYC areas.
I am originally from West Orange, NJ, where in 2016 you probably could have found me rehearsing for the children’s theatre production of Camp Rock, hiking the local fairy trail, or hugging one of my cats.*
I am now pursuing a BA in Musical Theatre at American University, where my passion for storytelling has grown exponentially through collaboration and community.
*the cats and I
Marley (right)
Mayzie (right)
Milo (right)
I believe that storytelling is worth investing in because it has the unique ability to capture how important we are to each other and how meaningful it is to be alive. In a world where we tend to resort to convenience and consumption, I am determined to fight for authenticity and connection.
By continuously immersing ourselves in new perspectives and experiences by creating and absorbing art, we make ourselves more open-minded. Acting has taught me to always lead with curiosity, for we always have something to learn from other people. And I have found that to never stop learning is to never stop loving.
As an actor,
I have been training for over 12 years and have been part of over 40 theatrical productions and projects. When someone asks me why I love acting, I always say that it’s because it makes the world feel bigger and me feel smaller. Now maybe that sounds strange…but hear me out!
I find it overwhelming how precious life is, considering how many moments there are to experience every day that have the capacity to be meaningful. However, acting is a practice that makes everything meaningful.
Acting has taught me that there is more love in the world than I can possibly comprehend; but with every role I play, I get just a smidge closer to comprehending it. The best part of getting to step into a character is gaining a new view on where love is in the world. And the most special part of performance is sharing that.
FUN FACT!
I’ve played Cinderella three different times. Once in 2014, in an abridged adaptation of the Disney version (this photo), and twice in 2022, in two separate productions of Into the Woods.
I have worked on about 10 projects in the last three years, often in a teaching and/or assisting position. This particular work has strengthened my skills in coaching actors and collaborating with an artistic team to fulfill a creative vision.
In terms of my own directorial perspective, I frequently find myself interested in depicting realistic people through a surrealist lens. I enjoy working closely with actors to give truthful, connected performances, and I also enjoy contorting the circumstances of the world they live in to enhance an overarching message.
With this approach, my aim is for audience members to be able to see themselves within the characters and relate to them, but also to feel discomfort and to question the themes of the piece.
As a director,
FUN FACT!
I’ve assistant directed three educational theatre productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 5.1