Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Nana Visitor Talks Dancing, Broadway & Beyond

Nana Visitor had little choice, but to become a great dancer.

Born into a performing family of Hollywood's finest, her destiny seemed assured. Indeed, her aunt was none other than the legendary Cyd Charrise. But this multi-talented performer didn't stop at mastering the most physical performing art. She excelled at dance and confidently took a step beyond.

Best known to audiences as freedom fighter Major Kira on the hit television show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, she won early roles on soap operas, TV dramas and comedies. No better proof of her sharp comic timing was co-starring opposite Sandra Bullock in the TV version of the hit film Working Girl. Despite, the sitcom's short run, Nana had arrived on the national entertainment scene.

Living up to her royal theater pedigree, Nana appeared with Angela Lansbury in the touring company of Gypsy, and later won her most prominent stage role - Roxie Hart in the revival of Bob Fosse's classic Broadway musical Chicago. My chat with Nana ranges from a thrilling childhood spent around the Great White Way's legends, to a deep affection for Star Trek, to her starring role on ABC Family's Wildfire.

Your dance background is impressive. How was it growing up the daughter of such dancing luminaries as your parents and your Aunt - Cyd Charrise?

It was like being the child of someone who was a sword master. My eye was trained and my body through osmosis got used to the best of the best. I never had to think too much about how to dance I just did it. I watched dancers like Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera, Tommy Tune and greats from the modern and ballet world of NY. As a child, I was just mostly bored and couldn't wait for class to end so my mom and I could go next door to the deli and have lunch.

Growing up in a Hollywood family must have been wonderful. Did your parents take you to movie sets they worked on?

I have vivid memories as a tiny girl of watching Natalie Wood rehearsing the strip number in Gypsy and watching her boyfriend at the time, Warren Beatty, eating a sandwich while he watched her rehearse. When he was half done with the sandwich, he would throw it over his shoulder. My most vivid memories were of being in darkened theaters on Broadway, watching people rehearse a number over and over again. Also, I spent a month in London with my sister, who was playing Gypsy with Angela Lansbury. Because there was nothing else for me to do, I went out front and watched the show every night. Watching Angela perform "Roses Turn" was like getting a Master's Degree in theater. Years later I got to do Gypsy with Angela and I got to use everything that I learned from her and feel the power of her performance from a few feet away.

What are your fondest memories playing Roxie Hart in Chicago? Was it your most satisfying stage experience?

It was one of the most satisfying stage experiences ever. And my most vivid memory is stalking back stage, which had black painted walls and colored lights, I was waiting for my cue and all of the exotic creatures, that were my fellow performers, were making entrances and exits throwing me smiles as they slithered on stage. I paced back and forth in my lace dress and spiked heels and thought, I was like a wild animal that had been in the zoo (tv) and I was now loose on the Savannah where I belonged. I felt like I had joined my particular pride of animals. My tribe.

The current crop of Broadway productions. Any favorites amongst them?

I haven't been able to see them. I wish I could. It sounds like there are so many wonderful productions out there.

Do you watch Dancing With The Stars?

Yes, I do! It's great fun! I'm glad that dance is getting the attention.

JJ Abramscomingin for the newStar Trekmovie with a big all star cast. Your feelings/expectations? Are you excited for the franchise?

I have deep feelings about Star Trek. I feel that it's able to present archetypes that are important story telling tools. And we need story telling. I'm a huge Joseph Campbell fan and I believe he would be pleased. Anything that perpetuates the franchise is a great thing.

At the time the DS9 sets were the largest and most expensive for any standing set on a TV show. Were they as impressive as they looked on film? How much does that help you get into character?

Actually they were more so. When you entered the stage, you entered the world. And after 17 hours of being inside there, it was easy to convince yourself that the star fields outside the port windows were real.

Rick Berman. Criticism of his handling of the franchise has been pretty severe. Some otherStar Trek actors have said Rick Berman was never a hands on producer and rarely visited their sets was that the case with DS9?

Producers Michael Piller and Ira Steven Behr were my guiding lights in the show. And I adored and I will always adore them both.

Terry Farrell. Her decision to pull out before the last season. Think she made the right choice? Perhaps more than any other crew, DS9 depended on the interplay of characters/actors were you upset with Terry for leaving?

Absolutely. Because she was following her own instincts. That can't be wrong and she certainly got a lot more years of experience doing the Ted Danson show Becker on CBS. I'll admit that I tried to talk Terry out of it. That I wanted her to stay. But she told me very eloquently that it was what her heart insisted upon. You can't argue with that.

Star Trek FanFilms on the Internet. Thoughts? Would you ever consider participating like Cirroc Lofton, Tim Russ and Nichelle Nichols recently have done for Star Trek: Of Gods & Men?

I spend almost no time on my computer (as people who e-mail me can attest to). and I make a point not to visit sites that have to do with me.

Wildfire. It's been a great run so far. Creator Michael Piller had a knack for creating wonderful characters. Is the success a pleasant surprise? AfterWildfirewraps permanently, do you look forward to the stability of another TV series or would you rather work features/guest spots more?

It's always a surprise when a show gets picked up. But I have to say, I had a certain certainty that it would all along. And at this point, I don't care so much about what the project is...characters interest me more. So, I want to play interesting characters. That's what I look forward to.

Talk about BABYSITTER WANTED. It looks effectively creepy from the description and tagline. I'm a big horror fan and love the idea of terrorizing characters on a farm. It looks quite original.

There is a buzz about it. But I didn't get to see the bulk being filmed. So, I don't have an idea except they were great people and it was a great experience.

Thanks so much for granting the interview, Nana!

My pleasure! It was fun answering such interesting questions. After so many years, it's not easy to come up with original ones. All my best....