2010-2011 Interview Archive

(July 16, 2011) Exclusive: Sarah Stouffer Dishes on Role in ‘Bloomington’

I was fortunate enough to land an interview with Sarah Stouffer, one-half of the dynamic-duo which fuels one of 2010’s hottest lesbian films: Bloomington.

Just so all of The Seattle Lesbian readers are up to speed on the plot of the film: Bloomington is a story of an illicit, lesbian affair between a renowned psychology professor and an undergraduate student. Professor Catherine Stark (played by Allison McAtee) is well known throughout the campus for her not so subtle seduction of her female students. Feared by the majority of the students on campus, sultry Stark is rumored to be a vampire, a descendant of a mobster and reportedly stores the bodies of her conquests in her trunk after she’s chewed them up and spat them out. Professor Stark sets her sights on Jacqueline Kirk (played by Sarah Stouffer), a former child television star looking to further her education, and wastes no time sinking her cougar claws into the doe-eyed freshman.

New-to-the-scene actress Sarah Stouffer performed exceptionally well for her first lead role in a motion picture. When asked about her reaction to landing the job Stouffer beamed and said that she was so excited and couldn’t believe it. Some would think that taking on a lesbian film as her very first role as an actress would be difficult, especially for a seemingly straight woman. But Sarah assured me that she hasn’t been criticized in the entertainment world for her choice. In fact, Stouffer added that she hopes we are beyond that.

by McKenzie Morrell, theseattlelesbian.com [Read more]

(15 July 2011) Interview with Sarah Stouffer

Gorgeous Sarah Stouffer stars in Bloomington as Jackie, a college student who falls for the seductive charms of her female teacher. We spoke to Sarah about playing a kick-ass chick and supporting LGBT films.

Tell us a little about Bloomington – what can we expect? 
Lots of explosions and action sequences – car chases, reptiles places they shouldn’t be. You know, the usual. Ha ha. Sorry. Bloomington is a coming of age story, a love story. You can expect passion and all of the ups and downs that come along with that.

What was it that first attracted you to the film? 
I felt that I could really relate to Jackie. She was at a pivotal moment in her life where she was figuring out who she was and what she wanted out of her life. I think everyone goes through something similar and it’s nice to be able to relate to that. 

by Bree Hoskin, gaydarradio.com [Read More]

(12 Jul 2011) REVIEW: BLOOMINGTON -DIVA talks to the stars of a romantic new lesbian drama

Latest lesbian flick Bloomington takes student/teacher relations to new heights with the tale of Jacqueline, former child star of a cult TV sci-fi show, who ditches her acting career and Californian roots to experience university life in Bloomington, Indiana. There she crosses paths with mysterious psychology teacher Catherine Stark who has the reputation of being a sexual predator. The two outsiders embark on a passionate relationship, fuelled with an exciting secrecy but also shadowed by the anxiety about where it will leave them.

 Bloomington sets a tone for a modern lesbian cinema: it normalizes Catherine and Jackie’s relationship. Although that intense chemistry ceases to lead us to much in the way of, shall we say, “juicy bits”, we are hooked by the dynamic between them. Watching as their feelings for each other blossom you realise, along with the characters, that sex isn’t all there is. Ultimately, director Fernanda Cardoso creates a refreshing portrait of a lesbian relationship.

 DIVA had the privilege of talking to leading cast members Allison McAtee (Catherine) and Sarah Stouffer (Jacqueline) about their experience of being involved in this new lesbian hit.

by Eva Hibbs, www.divamag.co.uk [Read more]

(July 2011) Sarah Stouffer and Allison McAtee, Stars of Bloomington

G3 Magazine Issue 122 – page 22 [Read More]

(June 19, 2011) Sit Down Sunday – Sarah Stouffer

This weeks interview is with the lovely Sarah Stouffer, star of Bloomington.

How did you hear about the audition for Bloomington? And why did you want to play Jackie in the film?

I heard about the audition from my agent, at the time, and went to read for it just like any other role. Jackie was a really “meaty” role. I was lucky to have been offered the part.

Being that Jackie is gay in the film and that it had a lesbian story line, did you feel that you needed to approach the role differently or was it the same as preparing for any role?

It was the same as preparing for any role. I don’t feel that being gay is what defined Jackie, or was even what the film was about.

How did it feel to work with Fernanda Cardoso?

It was so amazing to work with Fernanda. She has got to be the most patient woman on the planet to have put up with me for a full month! Fernanda is a brilliant director who will go far in this business…I’m just lucky I got to work with her first!

How long did it take to actually shoot the entire film?

I believe the final count was 20 days.

What was it like, seeing yourself for the first time on a movie screen?

Strange. It was cool because our premiere was at Frameline in San Francisco and that is very near where I’m from. The audience was filled with family and friends who were seeing it with me for the first time.

–lucyindaskywithdiamonds.com [Read more]

(March 18, 2011) VIP Fave Q Movie Pick: Sarah Stouffer

Welcome to VIP Fave Q Movie Pick…where we ask today’s hottest queer and queer-friendly filmmakers, stars and community leaders to answer the question: “One of my favorite LGBT movies is… ”Today’s pick: Sarah Stouffer (actress, BLOOMINGTON).

By cherrygrrl.com [Read more]

(August 9, 2010) An interview with “Bloomington” actress Sarah Stouffer

If you liked Loving Annabelle and its lead Erin Kelly, prepare to meet and love Sarah Stouffer in Bloomington, which you can catch at your local LGBT film festival. Stouffer plays Jackie, a former child star whom, while venturing out on her own at college and attempting to adapt to everyday student life, falls for Allison McAtee‘s Catherine, a fierce professor with a reputation for having affairs with her students. AfterEllen.com caught up with Stouffer to discuss the straight actress’s first film role, working without director Fernanda Cardoso and what happened when she hit on her co-star.

–By Trish Bendix, AfterEllen.com [Read More]