Chase Masterson talks 'The Flash,' 'Vienna' and Charity Work

Sam Rivman ’18 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

Emertainment Monthly recently had the pleasure of interviewing Chase Masterson. Chase is best known for her role as Leeta on Star Trek: Deep Space 9. Here’s what she had to say in the short time we had the pleasure of spending with her!
EM: You are well known as an actress who is involved in the sci-fi and comic book genres. What is it about these aspects of television and film that speaks to you?
Chase Masterson: These genres are definitely the most fun for me. I think that despite the powers and the fictional aspects of the stories, they are actually the most real. They are stories about heroes and people who do incredible things, and I think that there’s a part of all of us that strives to be as great and powerful as the people who we admire onscreen. I’ve always been a fan myself, so having the opportunity to step into that world is a dream come true.
EM: You recently guest starred on the new hit show, The Flash. What was it like to work with that cast?
Chase Masterson: The cast of The Flash was a pleasure to work with! I think it’s an excellent series, and even though I was only on set for a short time, they made it feel like a family experience. The role of Sherry was written for me, and I’m really thankful for the opportunity. I think they are doing a great job!
EM: Let’s talk a bit about your popular audio series, Vienna. What do you most enjoy about playing Vienna?
Chase Masterson: Vienna is an incredibly glamorous, mercenary assassin. What’s not to love? She’s sexy and deadly, which is always a lot of fun to play. I like that despite her job not always coming with the best intentions, she usually ends up on the side of good, despite not always starting out there. Also, Vienna is really funny! The best way I can describe her is as if La Femme Nikita and Elaine from Seinfeld had a baby.

EM: Your role in Vienna isn’t your first experience as a voice actor. What do you like about voice acting?
Chase Masterson: Like reading a book, audio stories allow listeners to create the stories in their own heads. It also differs from visual mediums in that you can listen to stories like Vienna without a big commitment- you can even listen while commuting! I’ve always had a passion for voice work, and I’m really enjoying my experience with Vienna. Doctor Who has one of the most devoted and wonderful fan bases, and it is great to be a part of that universe.
EM: What can you tell me about your anti-bullying campaigns that you’ve been working on?

Chase Masterson: The topic of bullying is one that is very personal to me. I have been working for the past few years with Homeboy Industries, helping to mentor kids coming from gangs who come from lives of crime and poverty. I think its important to remember that we can’t forget about the bullies either, because they usually act out because they are scared and hurt themselves. Fans of sci-fi are often the target of bullying, and the sad thing is that the mistreatment rarely stops with adulthood.I recently asked a group of fans, of all ages, if they had been bullied within the last few months. The results were astonishing, because just about everyone, even the adults, said that they had felt abused and mistreated. I’ve founded the Anti-Bullying Coalition to do my part in eliminating bullying from our culture.
You can find Chase Masterson’s anti-bullying campaign at  http://www.antibullyingcoalition.com You can also find her latest jazz albums for purchase at http://www.chasemasterson.com/MUSIC.html.