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 Washington, DC and North Jersey.

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 all storytelling is a test of empathy. We read books, we watch films, we experience theatre, we step into different characters all in an effort to understand something about the world and about ourselves that may not be immediately accessible.

By continuously immersing ourselves in new perspectives and experiences by creating and absorbing art, we make ourselves more open-minded. And we live better because of it.

I have been training for over 10 years and have been part of nearly 40 theatrical productions and projects. I am drawn to acting because it is the ultimate test of empathy.

What is it like to realistically live under the circumstances of another? How does this person connect with people? How does this person hide from people?

What is this person so passionate about that the thought of it makes their body temperature rise and their adrenaline pump?

One of my greatest passions in life is learning about what makes others passionate. Where is all the love in life that I can’t already see? For me, acting is seeing that unseen beauty.

As an actor,

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.

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.

As a director,

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 5.1

FUN FACT!

I’ve assistant directed three educational theatre productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.