Company Interviews: Joseph Zita as Stanley and Murderer
We asked Joseph Zita, who plays the Stanley and a Murderer in our production of Richard III, a few questions about himself, his family, and his eating habits...
Joseph Zita in RICHARD III. Photo by Kyle Purcell.
How many characters do you play in Richard III?
I play two characters - The First Murderer, and Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby. I love both characters for different reasons, but my “favourite” is the murderer. I’m not someone that is generally cast in Murderer style roles, so it’s really fun to explore creating this type of character .
Richard famously calls for strawberries from the garden. What’s your favourite strawberry-based dish?
Nothing beats a really delicious strawberry shortcake. On the healthy end of things, I love a good strawberry banana breakfast smoothie (throw in some chia seeds, almond milk, greek yogurt for good measure, and cacao powder if you really want a savoury breakfast smoothie). You start the day feeling refreshed, and healthy, and like you have totally earned that second slice of that strawberry shortcake later on.
What neighbourhood of Toronto do you live in? What’s the best thing about your neighbourhood?
I live in Mississauga actually! On the east end, very close to Etobicoke. It can be tricky commuting into the city on a regular basis for work, but one of the things I really do love about living in the suburbs is, I’m close and connected enough to the city, but also removed enough from the downtown hustle and bustle whenever I need a little bit more stillness and suburban quiet. Mississauga is also incredibly diverse, and I’m grateful to have grown up surrounded by different world views and cultural perspectives.
What’s the best line in the play?
“And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
I am determined to prove a villain
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.”
Beer or wine?
Wine. And red wine at that.
I play two characters - The First Murderer, and Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby. I love both characters for different reasons, but my “favourite” is the murderer. I’m not someone that is generally cast in Murderer style roles, so it’s really fun to explore creating this type of character .
Richard famously calls for strawberries from the garden. What’s your favourite strawberry-based dish?
Nothing beats a really delicious strawberry shortcake. On the healthy end of things, I love a good strawberry banana breakfast smoothie (throw in some chia seeds, almond milk, greek yogurt for good measure, and cacao powder if you really want a savoury breakfast smoothie). You start the day feeling refreshed, and healthy, and like you have totally earned that second slice of that strawberry shortcake later on.
What neighbourhood of Toronto do you live in? What’s the best thing about your neighbourhood?
I live in Mississauga actually! On the east end, very close to Etobicoke. It can be tricky commuting into the city on a regular basis for work, but one of the things I really do love about living in the suburbs is, I’m close and connected enough to the city, but also removed enough from the downtown hustle and bustle whenever I need a little bit more stillness and suburban quiet. Mississauga is also incredibly diverse, and I’m grateful to have grown up surrounded by different world views and cultural perspectives.
What’s the best line in the play?
“And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
I am determined to prove a villain
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.”
Beer or wine?
Wine. And red wine at that.