Day Off Diary: WAITRESS’ Stephanie Torns

For many actors, after a long 8-show week, their one day off is time to rest and recharge. This week, we caught up with Stephanie Torns from Waitress to spend a morning with her. Get to know a bit more about Stephanie in her #DayOffDiary: 

Hometown? Bohemia, NY (Long Island). 

It's the holiday season here in New York City, do you have any traditions that you look forward to every year? The Union Square Market. I love Christmas time in NY and that market always puts me in the holiday spirit!

Where might we find you on your day off? At home in my pajamas. Exciting, I know!  It is my lazy/recharge day. 

What got you into acting? At a very young age my grandma introduced me to movie musicals. So I have always loved the arts. At the age of 3, I started dancing at a studio on Long Island, and from there my love affair for performing began. It wasn’t until high school though that I did a musical. 

What was your first ever role? In 10th grade, I was in the ensemble of Oklahoma. Though at the time I was very heavy into sports and did NOT want to do the musical. After some persuading from my music teacher I auditioned and absolutely loved it!

If you weren’t an actor, what would you be doing? Definitely a teacher. I love it. 

If you could describe your experience with Waitress so far in just one word, what would it be? Fulfilling.

You are currently featured in the MTA Broadway advertisement all over the city, when you see the photos, what goes through your mind? HA! It is SO STRANGE to see my face looking back at me. I will be sitting on the subway and through the windows I just see myself smiling back at me. Very surreal. One of my favorite memories was shooting that campaign that day. 

Who are you jamming to on Spotify right now? Ooooo I am an apple music gal. But my go to right now has been Adele, Taylor Swift, and SIX. I love that show and music! 

What are you binging on TV right now? Oh man, so many things. But Christmas time confession. I LOVE cheesy Hallmark/Lifetime Christmas movies, so every night of December I pick one to watch. 

Read any good books lately? Yes! A friend of mine actually wrote one and it is fantastic. It is called “Out of the Shadows” by Tessa Van Wade, and it is available on Amazon to purchase and you should do so because it is AMAZING! 

One Instagram account (besides your own, duh), that we need to be following? Alex Elle (@alex_elle). It's an account that posts gentle reminders and affirmations. One I love is “Nothing that is for me will miss me. I do not have to chase.” 

Favorite coffee joint in Midtown? What’s your order? Frisson!!!! I love that shop and the owners. I have three different orders depending on the type of day it is! Coffee with oat milk, a red eye with oat milk (those are the exhausted days), and an oat milk cortado. 

Pickles on your burgers? YES PLEASE! 

Pineapple on your pizza? That is a BIG no for me. Ha!

What flavor of cream cheese on your bagel? Tofu scallion. 

Sorry we have to ask…cake or pie? Honestly, not really a big dessert person. Except if it’s a chocolate chip cookie from Levain bakery. But if I had to choose I would say pie. 

What is one show you are dying to see in New York right now? Company

Favorite Sara Bareilles song? Basket Case 

Any Dream Roles? Oh of course! I would LOVE to be in SIX, Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde, and Cathy in Last Five Years.

As you wrap up an almost 6 year journey with the show, what will you miss the most? The people. We really have such a strong family energy. From the cast, to management, to the crew, to wardrobe and hair, etc. we all really enjoy each other's company. I feel very lucky to work with such a wonderful group of people that lift each other up.

You can catch Stephanie in Waitress which is now in performance at the Barrymore Theatre through January 9, 2022. For tickets and more information, visit here. For more photos, visit Theatrely on Instagram. All photos by Rebecca J Michelson/Theatrely.