Roxann Dawson steps up to the plate for our next Q & A. As her role on Star Trek: Voyager gets more and more involved — she plays the ship’s Chief Engineer, the wife of Tom Paris, and now a soon to be mother — she demonstrates how her own experiences, combined with a genuine love for her character, make B’Elanna Torres such a completely fascinating person.
Question: What do you think of the decision made to have you and Tom Paris married on the show?
DUFFRS
Roxann Dawson: I think it was necessary in order for me to get pregnant! I actually like the way they’re going with the storylines this year. Pregnancy is an interesting choice considering that I was pregnant two years ago on the show and we spent an entire year covering it up. Now, they’re making me pregnant. It’s an interesting choice, but it offers a lot of dramatic possibilities. And I don’t have to watch what I eat!
Q: I’m curious about the marriage between B’Elanna and Tom. The whole thing was kind of shoved at the end of an episode. Were you disappointed that more wasn’t made of the ceremony? Did it have anything to do with the fact that we’ve already seen them married once before [“Course: Oblivion”]?
Dave, Omaha
RD: Yes, we didn’t need to show it as we saw the whole wedding in the other episode. We didn’t have to have to go through that again, so I have to agree with the writers. We know what it would have been, at least for the regular viewing audience, and to have to put them through the same thing that we did before would seem silly. And it left more time for other dramatic elements of the episode, rather than spending it on the wedding.
Q: Do you think B’Elanna will make a good mother? And how old were you when you started acting?
Kayla
RD: I don’t know. That’s all up to the writers isn’t it. I think that she will [be a good mother]. In the [upcoming] episode [“Lineage”] we see her take a lot of steps towards growth in that direction. I started acting in the womb, actually. I’ve always wanted to act. From the time I was an infant I was always dramatic. I owe my mother a lot for putting up with me. I can’t recall a time in my life when I didn’t want to act.
Q: Which is better; cats or dogs?
Amy
RD: Dogs. Absolutely.
Q: What was the most challenging scene you ever had to perform, and why?
D.M.
RD: On Voyager, it would probably be this awful episode where I had to wear a rubber bug around my neck for eight days [“Nothing Human”]. In terms of acting, it probably was a very recent episode called “Lineage.” The subject matter for this episode I found very challenging. As far as my overall career, I think my most challenging roles have actually been on the stage.
Q: What would you do if you met your character?
Serhat
RD: Probably not get along with her. We’re too similar.
Q: Have you ever submitted any scripts or plot ideas for Star Trek: Voyager?
Steven A.
RD: No, I haven’t, but I do enjoy writing. I’ve written a couple of plays and I’ve also co-written a trilogy of novels. I do enjoy writing but I find it difficult to write for something that I’m so close to and also something that I act in.
Q: Will Seven and B’Elanna ever become friends?
Taryus12
RD: I think that if they became very good friends it would be a little boring. What makes for an interesting and engaging relationship is the friction there and watching them overcome, step-by-step, their differences and learning to understand and accept their differences.
Q: Where did you grow up? And what was your first acting job?
Jay
RD: Where I grew up, or if I grew up! Actually, in California, although I spent a lot of time in New York. I have family back there as well. My first professional acting job was on Broadway in “A Chorus Line.” I played Diana Morales.
Q: What is your favorite color?
Cathleen
RD: Green.
Q: Hi Roxann, it was a pleasure to meet you at the Orlando Convention last weekend. Do you have plans to write another book? And could you tell us a bit about the one you’ve already written?
RD: The one I’ve already written [“Entering Tenebrea”] with my co-writer Daniel Graham, is the first in a trilogy. We are now completing the third book. The first book is available now and we only did 750 copies in a hardback collectors’ edition for charity. It will be in bookstores in March, in paperback, and can be pre-ordered now on amazon.com, as will the other two remaining books in the trilogy. As far as the synopsis, there is a much better synopsis on the book itself and on my Web site [http://www.roxanndawson.net/].
Q: Is there any part of B’Elanna’s character that you wish you had focused on more? And what’s it like kissing Robert Duncan McNeill (“Tom Paris”)?
Allison
RD: I actually would have liked to see her explore some of her physicality a little bit more. I would love to have seen a story arc or an episode dealing with strength building, or whatever her exercise and meditation routines are — the private things. She’s obviously very physically strong and it would be interesting to look at that from an emotional level. What’s it like to kiss [Robbie]? Great!
Q: What’s your favorite food?
Monica and Ashley, Texas
RD: Mmmm. Depending on the day, it would be either sushi or pasta.
Q: What did you have to read to get the part of B’Elanna and why, in your opinion, did you get the part?
Kerri & Bree
RD: I read a scene from “Caretaker,” which was our first episode. I didn’t even know, at that time, what a Klingon was! I basically looked at this character and fell in love with the way she was written and very strongly identified with her. Hopefully, my acting abilities and my identification with the character got me the role.
Q: Are you disappointed that Star Trek: Voyager is ending?
Cody, Texas
RD: Yes and no. I’m very excited about moving on and playing other roles. And I’m even more excited about getting the make-up off my face, which has become unenjoyable. Of course I’m sad. I’m sad to leave my ‘family’ and I’m sad to leave this character because I love her a lot. I’ve loved playing her these past seven years. I truly am very excited about moving on and doing something new.
Q: Can you tell me what your worst and favorite episodes were to film, and why?
Dawn, UK
RD: The worst, as I mentioned before, is the episode “Nothing Human,” where I had this awful rubber bug [a “cytoplasmic parasite”] on me that was ridiculous looking. Also, I was filming this episode the week that my dog died! For my favorite, I really enjoyed doing an episode in the first season called “Faces” where I got to play opposite myself as I was split into two, the Klingon and human side. I found that challenging and very absorbing. I really enjoyed that. One of my most satisfying episodes is coming up, called “Lineage.” I worked very hard on this episode; it was demanding, but exciting and I enjoyed doing every minute of it. I’m very proud of it.
Q: Do you have any siblings? And what music do you like to listen to? And do you like to work out a lot?
Luck Lady
RD: Yes. I have one brother. Music: I like Classical and Country. And yes, I do like to work out.
Q: Do you ever wake up in the morning and think to yourself, “I am an actress with a role in the greatest science fiction universe of all time”?
Logan
RD: Probably not. Maybe I should!
Q: Is directing something you’d like to do more of in the future?
Teriann
RD: I’ve absolutely fallen in love with directing and would love to do more of it. As a matter of fact, it was something that I didn’t know I would love so much. I just finished directing my second episode [“Workforce, Part II”] right before the holidays. I think it went well. I was pleased with it. Hopefully the producers will be pleased too. I really enjoy directing and I want this to be part of my future and career beyond Star Trek.
Q: What kind of person were you in high school?
Tricia
RD: I was very driven and somewhat of a loner. I spent all of my time in the drama department, studied a lot and isolated myself. Except for things that had to do with the theater. I look back and think I might have been better off if I’d stepped out of my shell a little bit. I was very obsessed, even at that age, with what I wanted to do with my life.
Q: What is your favorite movie of all time?
Angel
RD: I love “Sophie’s Choice.” Also “The Sound of Music.” I’ve seen that several times.
Q: Of all the props on the set, what would you most like to have after the show finishes? Or will you be taking the warp core?
Kathryn
RD: Well, the warp core won’t fit in my purse! Probably a tricorder, I suppose.
Q: How would you describe B’Elanna in three words?
K.F.
RD: Angry, loving and strong.
Q: Have you ever felt lonely being the only Klingon in the Delta Quadrant, or aboard Voyager?
Nicole
RD: I personally haven’t felt lonely, but B’Elanna might’ve!
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