Episode 23: Jane Lynch
Rachel Kobus 0:09
Welcome to Redbird Buzz. I'm Rachel Kobus from alumni engagement. Today we're sitting down with Emmy and Golden Globe award winning actor, comedian, author, producer, singer Redbird alum, the one and only Jane Lynch. Jane is known for her many television and film roles, including Glee, the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Two and a Half Men, Only Murders in the Building, Julie and Julia, Best in Show and The 40 Year Old Virgin. She debuted on Broadway in the production of Annie in 2013, and recently finished her stint in the revival of Funny Girl this past year. Her work on and off camera has earned her many awards, accolades and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And now she can add ISU guest artist in residence to her credentials too.
So without further ado, what's the word Redbird? Can we discuss the reason we're fortunate enough to have you here in a School of Theatre and Dance studio with us today, Jane?
Jane Lynch 1:09
Well, I am directing a staged reading of Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers. And this was all my idea. I called Al Goldfarb, who used to be the dean and he was also the president, or the head of the Department of Theatre Arts, and I was a student in his theater history class. And we've kept in touch and I said, What can we do about maybe getting me in there for you know, a few weeks to do this? And by the next morning, we already had it scheduled and here I am.
Rachel Kobus 1:39
So why now? Why did you want to share your expertise with our school of theater and dance students?
Jane Lynch 1:43
Well, I was in Funny Girl, and I hadn't done theater in a long time. I mean, a really long time. And I was talking to some of the people who are in the chorus, and they're, you know, wonderful dancers. And, but they, I noticed they didn't really have any acting technique, no offense to all these people, because they did such a great job. But I thought that might be a really fun thing to do is to be with some young folks and take a play apart and it's because I learned at ISU how to think like an actor and how to take a play apart. And I learned how to act here. So I learned the technique. So I thought I would share my expertise, which sounds rather highfalutin, but I did want to, you know, kind of take apart a good old American play something that stood the test of time, nothing new and weird and , but kind of straightforward with, you know, with a lot of pathos within the comedy and Lost in Yonkers is certainly that kind of play.
Rachel Kobus 2:44
And so in three weeks, you'll have how many students performing stage reading have Lost in Yonkers?
Jane Lynch 2:49
we have two casts Oh, yeah, so there's a one cast will perform on Friday and one cast will perform on the Saturday--the fifth and sixth of May. And so there plus the narrator, who reads the edited downstage directions, we have 15, because someone's doing it in two casts. So there's 15 actors, and we have three folks doing, you know, stage management and assistant directing. So it's just been a joy, small group. And, you know, it's it's been kind of our time together those four hours every night, to just take this thing apart. And we're having a really good time. And, I mean, there's, it's just a joy. I mean, the talent here hass kind of blown me away, I wasn't expecting this level, I really wasn't.
Rachel Kobus 3:31
And that's amazing for us to hear, too. And like you said, our students are so talented, and they want to show they see you do great things. And they're hoping I think, to be like you someday. So to have you back here. It's really amazing. Yeah, well, there'll be their own version of themselves, for sure. And love to hear that. And but so now a different version of you, how's it feel being in the director's seat, you're gonna hold 180? Now you're a student here, and now a director. So what's that like?
Jane Lynch 3:52
I like it. I like not that I like being the boss or anything, I don't necessarily like that, I have to kind of step into that and have a little more confidence in myself, because indeed, the director is the captain of the ship. But I really enjoying working with the actors, and I love to analyze, I love to take things apart. And I love to talk to actors about acting. So I get to do that. And it's, you know, I'm not I don't have that white hot ambition that I used to have to act to, like, do another role. And like, people will say, what is your, what will be your next big role? And I don't know, and I kind of think my next big role is to be a director.
Rachel Kobus 4:32
And so here's a great place to start. That's exactly what I wanted to do
Jane Lynch 4:34
That's exactly what I wanted to do-- it kind of brought two of my desires together in one candy bar as they say,
Rachel Kobus 4:41
So while you're back on campus, is there anything fun you have to do? Right, like, do you have to go to Avanti's? I saw, yes, right. Because you were our unofficial tour guide for Illinois. That was the only thing you did mention was Avanti's.
Jane Lynch 4:53
Yeah. I haven't been to Avanti's yet, but we're going to do that next weekend. I think on Saturday, I'm going over to Al's house and we're going to have some Avanti's, and I discovered a terrific coffee shop called Coffee Hound. I'm there every morning. I highly recommend it. And I also recommend that you don't add a shot for a drink because I am so wound up right now you guys. I'm doing everything I can to restrain myself. Yes, you're doing great job. Thank you. I'm holding on to a bottle of water but it's shaky.
Rachel Kobus 5:27
Acting I love it. So going back then you're a director now, but your time as a student. So what was that? Like? What was a typical student life for Jane Lynch when you're here in the 80s
Jane Lynch 5:38
I don't remember, honestly. But I will. I will elaborate and pontificate. It's so funny. It was over 40 years ago. No, it wasn't 40 I think it's 41 years ago. And it's almost like it didn't happen. But I've walked on campus and and I got I'm having a faint remembrance of, of this of the quad where I lived at 211 North University, which is now a ROTC building. And I was at Hamilton Witten, which doesn't exist anymore. I used to live in Hamilton and I of course, I walked by Centennial West, and lots of memories will will pour forth but for the most part, I feel like it's um, I'm experiencing it anew and I will say this, it's cleaner. It's sparkling you -- Yes. Yeah. It's like It's sparkling even Waterson looks good. I used to think that it was such a kind of a an ugly part of our landscape. But it looks it looks great. It looks like they cleaned it up or something. I don't know.
Rachel Kobus 6:46
I love it. So 40 years, we don't age we just get better.
Jane Lynch 6:48
Better and better. Yeah, it's really and students are--There's a maturity and a self possession about even like freshmen, I meet a freshman and I don't remember being or at least feeling that confident and that sure of myself. I if I do have any memories, it's a feeling kind of small and hoping that you know, I get cast in the next play and that I make friends.
Rachel Kobus 7:14
The typical college student
Jane Lynch 7:15
I guess Yeah. But I don't see it in them. Yeah, like, wow, these, the I'm sure we got it somewhere. But these kids are really like more evolved than I was.
Rachel Kobus 7:24
Well, and I have to--being from the Alumni Engagement Office--your sister was here overlapping times, Julie. So did she. I mean, first off, first question. How was that having a sister here? And then second off, did she influence you in being a Redbird legacy? I've always been curious.
Jane Lynch 7:38
We everybody--I had a group of girlfriends and my sister was one of them in high school. And we all came here. With a few exceptions, all of us that went to college came here. So this was the place to go. I actually and at the time it was it was easier to get into ISU than it is now. But this is the only school that accepted me. I was turned down by--I was waitlisted by Carbondale. And ISU accepted me, and my father breathed a huge sigh of relief because I didn't have great grades. I was like a solid C-minus student. And my ACT I think was like 13. Yeah, that's pretty embarrassing. That's okay. So I Oh, yeah, exactly. So my sister had come before me. And it's funny because we're, we couldn't be more close now. But she would walk right by me on campus. She just walked right by me. Like a little embarrassed, of her goofy little sister. And then she was in a sorority, she was a delta zeta. So I never saw her. Okay, so it was funny that you know, we were sisters. We never saw each other. Never the twain shall meet. All right, well, she's a teacher now. She's retired. But she, she learned to be a teacher here. And she taught basically kindergarten and first grade. She loves the kiddos.
Rachel Kobus 8:50
One, so do you in your own way, too. So you both have that? You know, we do.
Jane Lynch 8:53
We're both cancers, too. The astrological sign of the mother.
Rachel Kobus 8:58
Perfect. And so besides, you know, maybe your sister didn't have that kind of inspiration now. But then but she has it now. And you you were inspired by other people when you came to ISU. So can you talk about what it means to find that mentor and your mentors were-- I know, you talked about Al already, but how that helped you to your college career and maybe into where you are now?
Jane Lynch 9:18
Well, Al has become my mentor and good friend in the last like 20 years, so not necessarily. He'll tell me stories. Okay. Remember when you came to my office, and I don't remember. And you said you were upset about this, and I and I told you this and you felt better. And I don't remember. I don't remember--I do remember being scared to death of Jean Scharfenberg. She was a teacher in the theater department. A legend. She was wonderful. But she could also be kind of cruel. And I wanted her to pay attention to me and then I didn't want her to pay attention to me. Yes. And I remember a couple of actors to this day and I bet if I saw their work now with 40 years of experience under my belt, I would still say They were amazing actors, Karen Hot and Lee Ebden-- great actors. Yeah, so I learned a lot while I was here watching people who do it well,
Rachel Kobus 10:12
what great advice for then our current students and prospective students just to sit back and watch. And not always have to be doing.
Jane Lynch 10:18
Exactly because you know, if you're not cast, and I was, but usually in smaller parts, and then I'd go semesters without being cast. So you end up doing something else, like being an assistant director or working, you know, in the costume crew or something like that. And, you know, I would much rather have been on stage, but I learned so much watching and I did something that I think was unique and couldn't have been a bigger lesson for me. The URTA auditions, which are the regional auditions for the summer theatres and the graduate programs. One year, it was at ISU, so that meant all these kids from the Midwest came to ISU to audition for all these programs. And I volunteered to be the timer--you get two minutes, three minutes or something like that. And I was terrible at it. Because I didn't call I didn't call anybody on time because I felt too bad. But I got to watch all the auditions. So I got to watch a variety of people at a variety of levels. I learned so much. And I learned so much about how to present yourself in an audition. The ones that you go, wow, was that great. And the ones who go, oh, wow, they missed an opportunity here. They looked scared or they looked like they didn't care. They didn't prepare, they didn't do their work. So I learned a lot watching.
Rachel Kobus 10:19
Okay, so really, everyone take advantage of the outside opportunities. It's no matter where you are in your career, really too, I would say oh, let's take advantage of your opportunities. You never know what's gonna happen. Yes.
Jane Lynch 11:40
Oh, absolutely. And you know, we're right now we're in closed rehearsals, but we're going to open them up starting Monday. Okay, so or whenever we go to the theater, I forget if that's Monday or not. So, you know, if you're in the theater department, I think we're going to restrict it to the theater department. Yeah. Come on, by if you're an acting student and watch, just watch people working, and you learn so much.
Rachel Kobus 12:04
And you've learned a lot since 1982 since being at Illinois State and I mean, from that point, you just rose to fame right away, right?
Jane Lynch 12:10
Yeah, right. It just happened like that, my friends.
Rachel Kobus 12:13
Straight up. Right. So but I think I you know, I did my research and you you went to Chicago, you did Steppenwolf. You did Second City. And then there was a Frosted Flakes commercial rights. So let's talk about I mean, I'm sure some have heard about Frosted Flakes. But where did Frosted Flakes and Tony the Tiger fit in--
Jane Lynch 12:30
In with my trajectory? Well, I was I was auditioning for commercials in LA a lot like four or five times a week and I auditioned for a Kellogg's Frosted Flakes commercial. And it was basically improvisation. And I got called back and when I went to the callback, it said director Christopher Guest. So he was directing that commercial, but we didn't know when we did the initial audition. So I did--He cast me. And so I did this. Kellogg's Frosted Flakes commercial about Tony the Tiger with an actor named Shawn Masterson, who I had known for years too, as an improviser, a really great actor. And we played husband and wife and Chris came up to me at lunch. And he said, You know, I do movies. And I said--he had just done Waiting for Guffman. And I was like, yeah, yeah, I know. Because I fell out of my seat laughing watching that movie, and had a preposterous fantasy that one day, I could be in a movie like that. And he said, maybe we'll work together again. And we did--he cast me in Best in Show.
Rachel Kobus 13:30
Yeah. And then it all took off from there, 230 Credit credits on your IMBD that maybe I went and counted, Jane.
Jane Lynch 13:37
Maybe, did you? That's great.
Rachel Kobus 13:39
You don't have to I did it for you.
Jane Lynch 13:41
Thank you so much.
Rachel Kobus 13:43
But not truly though, you have so many big and television screen credits. You've been on Broadway, you have your own traveling holiday show. You've done See Jane Sing, I mean, you've done so much. So how does that--how does that make you feel? Knowing that you have all this underneath your name now?
Jane Lynch 13:59
Yeah, I guess I don't think about that too much. But it is, you know, I think it's someone would say why do I have so much because you'll notice that some of its, you know, it's like a guest spot and you won't recognize the name of the character because I was in for like, just a scene. And I think this works for me, this might not be somebody else's way of doing things. But I said yes to everything. Because I love doing it. I never wanted to do anything else. I'm not qualified to do anything else. But it was a really you can listen, watch. Exactly. And the reason I listened and watched was because I'm even though maybe I wasn't getting the roles that I I never thought I deserved anything but that I wanted. I had this compulsion. And if you've heard of a ever heard of a weeble, those those toys when I was growing up, says a weebles wobble, but they don't fall down. And I was a Weeble. That's a good analogy. Get right back up, move. Hmm.
Rachel Kobus 15:01
And you know, going with that everyone knows you as Sue Sylvester from Glee. I mean, and we love that. But I will say, Only Murderers in the Building with Steve Martin. Gosh, I laughed so hard when you were the person that came out as his stunt double in that show. Um, you've been on Criminal Minds. You've been on, you know, just even shows like Psych and then you'd like you said Two and a Half Men you just go in say, yes. How do you decide on those roles and how do you figure out your character so quickly, then?
Jane Lynch 15:27
Well, I'd never decide on a role. If it's offered to me I say yes. Okay. And I think anybody that is in the position, if you're an actor, you understand this unless you're a star, if you get offered something, I remember George Clooney said his story about some stupid thing he did that people said, Why did you do that? He said, When I got the phone call, I jumped up and down. Same thing. You get really, really thrilled that they invite you, you know, you go off and you do the audition. And there are many people auditioning. And if you're the one that they choose, it's a big deal. It's a big deal. So I choose nothing. I am chosen. Oh, that's a beautiful thing. Someone right there. Yeah, no kidding. All right. It's on camera choosing nothing I am chosen. Yeah, so I didn't choose anything, but I do. I make decisions fast. So I don't like to be in that position of pondering what I'm going to do. The time to do it when you get offered. So right, right. So out of that character, I make quick decisions. And that's why I'm really grateful for the technique that I learned here. Because they're usually those decisions are based in something. They're based on the character and the given circumstances, because that is now second nature to me. So that's why you said why do I? How could I? How do I build the characters for each one, and it wasn't really even building, it was just kind of things just snap in. I go, Okay, this oh, this is how this character is Oh, and this is how this character is. And you do it fast. And you make a strong decision because they want to see these strong decisions. They don't want to see like kind of mealy mouthed stuff. And I'm just not I'm not, I don't tend toward the mealy mouth, I kind of go fast.
Rachel Kobus 17:11
And that's why they keep telling you asking you to come back, for guest roles and do this and do that. And it's certainly--
Jane Lynch 17:16
The trajectory in an actor's life is to do that. And it's and it's mine.
Rachel Kobus 17:20
like we said, You've earned a lot from it. So you kudos to you, you do amazing work. So. And then with that, though, what has been your most memorable moments, whether it's on screen, off screen, personally, what what's something in your life that you are most proud of that you look back on?
Jane Lynch 17:35
I forget. All right. I really do. It's not that I have a bad memory, but I'm not really sentimental. No, not okay. But no, let me answer it in a way though. Don't move on so quickly, young lady. I think, you know, in a general sense, when I think about being in this business, and in not just film and television, but the theater, it's being a part of a group. I love ensemble work. I love where one of the things that we do right before rehearsal is everybody closes their eyes, and we talk about how we are all one cell of one entity. And there really is no one more--like is the liver more important than the heart. No, they're they're there, they build this body politic. So though you might have a role in this. This this project, you're not more important than the stage manager. We're all the same, but we do different things. And that is my favorite thing is you know, like when we do those comedy improv those comedy, ensemble films like Talladega Nights, or 40 Year Old Virgin virgin or role models, you know, Paul Rudd might be in it and Will Ferrell and you know, Steve Carell, but the best joke always wins. And they were mostly improvised too, a lot of it was improvised. You know, we good solid scripts, but they let us add stuff and everybody was equal, even though it was Steve's film. Or, you know, and I love that.
Rachel Kobus 19:08
Glad I didn't jump over that question. So, okay, maybe this hopefully isn't too sentimental either. But what's your biggest life lesson you would share either to someone maybe starting out in acting someone that's looking into theater as prospective students, someone that's been in it for a while, what what kind of advice do you or biggest thing you've learned so far?
Jane Lynch 19:28
I would say don't have goals. Like I want to do this by this day. And I want to play these kinds of roles. Because then you paint yourself into a corner and there might be something right in front of you, that you that passes by you that you don't say yes to. So I think ultimately, the thing I would say is just relax and be kind to yourself. And don't try to push yourself too hard. Don't try to push the river as the as the mystics would say, and kind of just flow with it and you're taking care of everything's gonna be taken care of. And your part is to allow and you know, to do your work and be prepared. Great.
Rachel Kobus 20:03
So with that, let's I'm gonna flow right into what hopefully is a little fun for you are kind of like hope it's fun. I hope it's fun. We're not wasting her time. She loves being here on Redbird Buzz podcast. So, just a few things just because we like to get to know our alums better and I guess better so let's start off with just some easy questions. First thing that comes to your mind. Okay, favorite animal>
Jane Lynch 20:24
dog.
Rachel Kobus 20:27
When I'm not at work, I'm..
Jane Lynch 20:29
drinking coffee.
Rachel Kobus 20:30
Like we heard. No double shots, guys. Game Show you would want to be a contestant on?
Jane Lynch 20:37
Oh 25 words or less. And I have--several times--I love that game so much.
Rachel Kobus 20:43
favorite ice cream?
Jane Lynch 20:44
Oh, mint chip.
Rachel Kobus 20:46
Okay, I've had that twice now. Favorite actor you will work you'd like to work with?
Jane Lynch 20:51
Well, I've worked with Meryl Streep. So that's great. And I love worked with Steve Martin. So so there you go. And you go. Yeah,
Rachel Kobus 20:58
Favorite podcast?
Jane Lynch 21:00
Oh, JeffMara podcast. Look it up--Near Death Experience. Okay.
Rachel Kobus 21:05
Yeah, I was gonna say not--so not Smartlist by Sean Hayes, [we'd love to see you on this podcast, Sean].
Jane Lynch 21:10
Oh I'd love to be on his podcast. Is he still doing it while he's on Broadway doing Good Night, Oscar?
Rachel Kobus 21:15
Yeah I don't know about that. But I just had to throw that out there to see who you're actually going to say. But now I have to look at thatpodcast, so thank you for sharing amazing. I'm very big into crime junkies right now. Yeah. Favorite place at ISU?
Jane Lynch 21:30
Coffee Hound.
Rachel Kobus 21:33
Now that went on there if you like we've really liked coffee. And how about a piece of advice you'd give to your younger self?
Jane Lynch 21:41
Oh, just I think what I just said okay to repeat myself. But that's fine. Just relax and don't tug on the roots, which is another thing the mystics say.
Rachel Kobus 21:50
I love though that you gone from this young, you know, 40 years ago and at ISU to now and you're living by the goals you--
Jane Lynch 21:58
I've come to them. They've kind of found their way they blossomed inside of me.
Rachel Kobus 22:02
Well, and the other thing too, is you know, I've talked to so many students and faculty and staff that all the interacted you with you and your short week you've been here you have two more weeks, two more weeks to go, I think. And everything I've heard Jane is amazing. I've heard you've been networking students with your people in New York, you are helping them with their resume. Oh, yeah, I've heard you have some great
Jane Lynch 22:20
Oh, yeah, we have some great people, our stage manager. Yes, I hooked him up with somebody.
Rachel Kobus 22:24
just things like that, though. So learn, you know, teaching the students again, skills that are off stage, talking to faculty, you know, bringing I think, some positive and there's some refreshment to Illinois State is just you being here. It's just great to have you. And so I have to say that just like when I started hearing all these stories, I was like, Alright, I get to talk to her about all this. This is great. So we You've been wonderful, by the
Jane Lynch 22:44
You've been wonderful, by the way. Well, thank you, you're very good at this. Someone told me, now remember, this is a small town university. And she's the top. Yes. Yes.
Rachel Kobus 22:55
Um, but we couldn't do obviously without all of our team from our university advancement department. So and without you. That's why we love to talk to alums and guests like you we'd love to hear your stories and whatnot. So before we end, I you kind of answered this but I'm going to phrase in a different way. So what's next for actor, performer, host, ISU lecturer Redbird? Jane Lynch maybe not a role but yeah, directing? Is it like what you talked about earlier?
Jane Lynch 23:22
I don't know--I never do. I'm right here and right now. I truly am. I'm at ISU, and I'm doing Lost in Yonkers with about 18 Maybe 20 people.
Rachel Kobus 23:34
And we love having you, being here, thank you for being with us today, Jane.
And that was School of Theatre and Dance 1982 alum, the iconic, the talented Jane Lynch. Thanks for listening to Redbird Buzz and tune in next time for more stories from beyond the quad.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai