The Shock 'Em, Nuke 'Em, Animal-Lovin' Troma Girl (An Interview with Leesa Rowland)

The Shock 'Em, Nuke 'Em, Animal Lovin' Troma Girl (An Interview with Leesa Rowland)

By Jerry Saravia

 Leesa Rowland's uploads of her best work

Troma Pictures has been in production for so long that most film fans may not be aware of their output or their longevity. They are a strong NJ independent film company that financed and released films such as "Class of Nuke 'Em High 1-3," "The Toxic Avenger" pictures, "Pot Zombies," and many more. Leesa Rowland is an actress who played the pivotal role of Victoria in "Class of Nuke 'Em High Parts 2 and 3" but she actually got her start in a couple of non-Troma pictures. Although she may play the innocent, dim-witted blonde Victoria (a subhumanoid), she stands out in a cast that also includes Lisa Gaye with a Marge-Simpson hairdo. It is Rowland's and her male co-star's innocence, Brick Bronsky, that gives the early Troma pictures a certain upbeat quality.

Leesa Rowland grew up in Austin, Texas and is the daughter of an artist and a college professor. She studied broadcast journalism at Texas Tech and studied acting at the famed Stella Adler Studio in Los Angeles, CA. She currently produces and acts in a variety show called "Two City Girls" with her friend and fellow Troma costar, Lisa Gaye. With a career that almost spans thirty years, you'll be surprised to learn of Leesa's cinematic roots and where she is at today.

1.) It might be of interest to my readers that a Troma actress actually started out her career in a David Byrne film, the spectacular "True Stories" (1986) ['"60 Minutes" on Acid, according to Byrne']. You are listed in an uncredited role, so what was that role?

I was cast as one of three blondes sitting on bar stools at a nightclub, but they cut the scene out in post production!

2.) I couldn't help but notice a credit for "Book of Love" [A Bob Shaye-directed romantic comedy about a love reminiscence dating back to the 1950] - a film I saw in theaters back in good old 1990. You got to work with some actors of stature, especially Michael McKean. IMDB lists your role as "Honeymoon." You'll forgive me for not recalling your part specifically but what role was "Honeymoon" and how did that role come about? 

"Book of Love" was the first film that Bob Shaye (Founder of New Line) directed {and his sole directing credit to date]. I got the audition for Honeymoon through my agent and was cast after a couple of callbacks. Honeymoon was a traveling showgirl that Peanut (Aeryk Egan) meets at the carnival and has a crush on. He waits for her after the show to ask for her autograph [and he gets to be kissed by Leesa's character].

Leesa Rowland in Class of Nuke 'Em High 2 (1990)

3.) You are, of course, a member of the Troma universe. You were cast in "Sgt. Kabukiman: NYPD," "Class of Nuke 'Em High Part 2" and "3" in the same role of Victoria, working with luminary Troma actors such as Lisa Gaye and Brick Bronsky. Tell me about your introduction to the Troma pictures, the experience of making them and what you feel is their everlasting impact, especially in the independent scene. 

I auditioned for "Class of Nuke 'Em High 2: Subhumanoid Meltdown" in Los Angeles with Brick Bronksy who had already been cast. I played Brick's love interest, Victoria, a subhumanoid created by Professor Holt (Lisa Gaye), whom he meets in a laboratory sex experiment and falls in love with. He later saves my life by rescuing me from melting down into green goo. That was my beginning with Troma. I worked with the director (Eric Louzil) in a small role on an earlier film called "Shock 'Em Dead" with Troy Donahue and Tracy Lords. I always had fun working with Troma and love them because their films always have an underlining message.They've been making independent films for over 40 years and are as strong as ever!!

4.) I see a new film you are in is currently in post-production, entitled "Slaughter Daughter." Is this a bigger role than you've had before?

"Slaughter Daughter" will be finished next month. It is director Travis Campbell's second film. His first was Troma's "Mr. Brick's" (with Nicola Fiore and Tim Dax). I play Nicola Fiore's overbearing, vampy mother in "Slaughter Daughter" who aids in driving her increasingly mentally unstable daughter, a former beauty queen,over the edge!! She then plots my death with the help of a serial killer, (Tim Dax) on death row!! The film was written by Lauren Miller (assistant editor at "Teen Mom"). Ninety-five percent of the cast and crew were women! Post production for "Slaughter Daughter" will most likely be completed next month.

I am currently producing a film called "After Birth" with writer/director Tara Robinson (Chuckie's Revenge) which stars Nicole Fiore and Peter Stickles (Shortbus, Showgirls 2). I will play Bethany's (Nicola Fiore) mother again!! William Belli (Ru Paul's Drag Race) has been cast as the female office assistant at a clinic.We are currently in pre-production and will begin shooting in Los Angeles in September. "After Birth" is the story of a terrifying journey where a defenseless girl must fight for survival against her hungry, flesh-eating, demonic baby. "Will she survive the midnight feedings?"

5.) I have noticed your advocacy for animal rights and your strict vegan diet. Do you own a cat, dog, other animals or all the above?

I have a black and white tuxedo cat named Moo. He looks like a little holstein calf and is my best friend and confidant. I met him in Florida when I was working on a film called "The Bros."(Joey Fatone, Airielle Kebbel, Ludacris and Dennis Scott)

6.) Any charities or animal rights groups that you support by name that you would like mentioned?

I am an animal rights advocate and have been active with Last Chance for Animals, a national animal advocacy group for over 20 years. I have an informational website called Animal Ashram and am in the process of filing for a 501 non-profit so that I can make an Animal Ashram a no-kill animal shelter/yoga studio in New York City next year. http://www.animalashram.com/

I have recently appeared on television shows Million Dollar Listing (Bravo), Jersey Couture (Oxygen) and the upcoming Season 5 of Bravo's "Real Housewives of New York City."

I am also in post production on a documentary about the entertainment industry in Los Angeles called "LaLa Land" that I am producing with director Georgiana Nestor ("The Sublet.") We hope to have it completed in a month or two and will hit the film festival circuit with it.

Lisa Gaye and Leesa Rowland (right) in "Two City Girls"