The Gospel According to...Eleanor Philips

Name: Eleanor Philips

Hometown: NYC

Education: Oberlin College

Who do you play in The Mysteries?: I play Sarah (wife of Abraham), Martha of Bethany, and Andy.

Tell us about The Mysteries: The Mysteries is a crazy idea made possible and successful by the dedication and work of over 100 different artists.

Describe The Mysteries in three words: Epic. Beautiful. Inspirational.

What's the wildest costume you wear in The Mysteries?: My first costume as Martha of Bethany is a floor length black chiffon dress. I call it my mourning muumuu.

If you could be anyone from The Bible, who would you be?: She's not in The Mysteries, but I've always loved Ruth.

Which company member is most likely to actually have lived during Biblical times?: Oh, I'm not sure. I feel like Matt Cox has the best beard for it.

Which company member is most likely to be the Messiah?: That's a toss-up between Colin Waitt and Matt Jeffers. They're both such kind, lovely people who you just want to listen to. I'd follow either of them.

Most likely to become an angel?: Jack DellaTorri. I'd want her to sing in a heavenly host for sure.

Most likely to hear voices in their head?: Can I say myself?

Who's the most spiritual?: Kyle Hines.

On the 8th day god said_____: Let's do the seventh day again.

Are you going to heaven or hell?: Oh it's too early to tell.

Which of the Seven Deadly Sins are you?: Gluttony, although that may just be because the two week tech rehearsal process made many of us eat whatever and whenever we could.

What's the biggest inside joke at The Mysteries?: Ed tends to give very colorful notes, so we love to say them to each other and attempt to create our own. There's usually wildlife involved.

What's your favorite moment from The Mysteries?: The first time we rehearsed "The Transfiguration" (written by Billy Porter and Kirsten Greenidge). The Angels had been rehearsing it and we'd heard how excited they all were, but none of us had heard the song. It was absolutely awe-inspiring. We were all clapping and laughing and crying.

What is the most rewarding part about being a member of The Mysteries?: The community. It's a rare thing to have a company this large, and even more rare that this many people can spend this much time together and all get along. But we all truly love and support each other and I'm so excited to see everyone after a day off.

Why should we come see The Mysteries?: It's like nothing else you can see right now. It's big, beautiful, thought-provoking theatre that will include you as much as you want to be included. It's a labor of so much love and I think you feel that from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave.

For more on Eleanor, visit www.eleanorphilips.com