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Emmy Winner's Surprising Path to Pittsburgh Accent
12 Jun
Summary
- Katherine LaNasa studied Pittsburgh accents in her bathtub.
- She trained with legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner.
- LaNasa aims for a Broadway debut after her TV success.
Katherine LaNasa, an Emmy winner for her role as charge nurse Dana Evans in HBO Max's "The Pitt," developed the character's distinctive Pittsburgh accent through unconventional methods, including studying in her bathtub. LaNasa's acting career began unconventionally after marrying actor Dennis Hopper; she later trained with Sanford Meisner for nearly three years, viewing this as her true professional start.
LaNasa found the Pittsburgh accent challenging, describing it as "muscularly different." She also honed her skills with dialect coach Susanne Sulby. Her commitment to mastering accents is evident in her current projects, including a North Florida accent for Hulu's "Count My Lies" and a German accent for "Mister."
Despite her Emmy win nine months ago, LaNasa remains grounded, drawing inspiration from actors like Jacki Weaver. She believes audiences connect with Dana's humanity, appreciating her realistic portrayal of a flawed but heroic character. LaNasa is now pursuing a longtime ambition: a Broadway debut, expressing interest in roles in productions like "August: Osage County."
