Exclusive: Madison Vice on Why Theater 'Felt like Coming Home'—and the Creative Process Behind Every Role She Plays

Long before Madison Vice found success in vertical dramas, theater gave her a place where she finally felt she belonged. In this exclusive interview, she opens up about her journey, her approach to acting, and the surprising creative ritual that helps bring every character to life.

For Madison Vice, acting began not with the dream of becoming a performer, but with the feeling of finally finding a community.

In an exclusive interview with Vertical Drama Explorer, the actress reflected on the experiences that shaped her career, from discovering theater as a young girl to developing the creative rituals she now relies on for every role.

Along the way, she opened up about adapting from stage to screen, embracing the fast-paced world of vertical dramas, and why authenticity remains at the heart of her work.

Madison Vice says theater gave her a place where she finally felt she belonged. | Source: Madison Vice

Finding a Place to Belong

When asked whether there was a defining moment that convinced her acting was more than just a hobby, Vice didn't point to landing a role or receiving professional recognition. Instead, she traced it back to something much more personal.

"There totally was," she said. "For me, it all started with the feeling of community that being involved in theatre brought me."

Vice gained stage experience through productions like "The Most Happy Fella" while studying musical theatre at The Hartt School | Source: Madison Vice

Before discovering theater, Vice said she often struggled to find where she fit in.

"I felt like I never fit in until I got involved in theatre," she recalled. "I was a shy, bookworm, unathletic kid."

Vice landed her first leading stage role at 14 as Lady Larken in "Once Upon a Mattress." | Source: Madison Vice

Everything changed once she found an environment where she could express herself freely.

Vice performing as Marty in a high school production of "Grease" | Source: Madison Vice

That experience became the foundation for a career that would eventually take her from musical theater productions to film sets and, more recently, to the rapidly growing world of vertical dramas.

But while the mediums have changed, the reason she continues acting has remained remarkably consistent: telling stories that resonate with people.

Vice as Eleanor Dare in "The Lost Colony" | Source: Madison Vice

Asked what kinds of stories she's most drawn to as a performer, Vice said, "Stories that are relatable—not just to me but for audiences. I think it's so important and what we crave as human beings to know that we aren't alone in our struggles."

Carrying the Lessons of Theater Into Every Set

Vice's years of theater training gave her more than performance experience. They instilled a work ethic that continues to guide her on every project.

Vice portrayed Janet in The Hartt School's production of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" in 2019 | Source: Madison Vice

After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from The Hartt School, she says one lesson has remained especially valuable.

"I think consistency and work ethic," she said.

A performance from "The Proxy Marriage" during the Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals in 2019 | Source: Madison Vice

That preparation became even more important as she transitioned from live theater to on-camera acting, where she quickly realized that a different set of skills was required.

"Definitely subtlety—theatre calls for bigger everything and the camera can read every little movement and thought," she explained. "Also just being aware of my body language on camera."

Unlike the stage, where performances unfold from beginning to end, film sets require actors to build emotional arcs in fragments.

"The entire process of filming things out of order and not having weeks to rehearse and perfect as a cast," she said, has been one of the biggest adjustments. "For me it's a harder process and I'm still learning!"

The cast and crew prepare a scene during the filming of "Legally Bound to Love" | Source: Madison Vice

That willingness to keep learning has also changed how she approaches performance.

While musical theater still feels the most natural because it has been part of her life the longest, Vice says years of screen acting have taught her to trust herself more.

"The more screen acting I've done the more I have stopped 'acting' and just let my natural impulses take over," she said.

Why Every Character Begins With a Song

As her career has evolved, Vice has also developed a personal process for preparing each role.

Before filming begins, she chooses a piece of music that captures the emotional core of her character and listens to it repeatedly.

For Julia in "The Summer of Him," that song was Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide."

Vice says music helps her discover each character before filming begins. | Source: Madison Vice

The music is only one part of her preparation. Vice also handwrites every line of dialogue, a habit she says helps her connect more personally with each character while strengthening memorization.

Just as important is collaboration.

"I love working in collaborative environments," she said. "For me, it's so important to have a director that wants to have a conversation about the character with me—it always sparks something new and fresh."

Rather than arriving on set with every decision already made, she prefers to build a character through discussion, believing some of the most meaningful discoveries happen through collaboration.

A behind-the-scenes monitor captures Vice during filming of "Double Life: Meet My Mafia Ex Again". | Source: Courtesy of Madison Vice

From a Funny Misunderstanding to a New Chapter

Like many actors, Vice didn't set out specifically to work in vertical dramas. In fact, her introduction to the format came with a humorous misunderstanding.

"Honestly, a kind of embarrassing story," she said with a laugh. "When they first came out, they were called mobisodes (mobile episodes), but I thought it meant mob, as in it was some piece about mobsters, and I ignored them for a while. I was like, 'Why is everyone doing weird mob pieces?'"

Eventually, her agent submitted her for an audition for the werewolf-themed vertical drama "Alpha's Fake or Fated Mate." Convinced she had delivered one of her weakest auditions, she expected little to come from it.

"I honestly thought it was one of the worst auditions I had done ever in my life," she admitted. "But I booked it and had so much fun."

Behind the scenes of Vice's first vertical drama, "Alpha's Fake or Fated Mate" | Source: Madison Vice

Getting camera-ready on the set of her first vertical drama, "Alpha's Fake or Fated Mate" | Source: Madison Vice

As she continued working in the format, Vice quickly discovered that vertical dramas came with their own learning curve.

Asked what surprised her most about working in the format, Vice didn't hesitate.

"The vertical cameras!" she said. "Being aware that the frame is so thin—it was weird at first."

Vice appears on a vertically mounted camera monitor while filming "Double Life: Meet My Mafia Ex Again" | Source: Courtesy of Madison Vice

She also noticed a shift in performance style as the genre has grown.

"The more 'soapy' style of acting," she said, initially stood out to her. "However, as verticals become more mainstream, especially in the U.S., I have noticed them becoming a lot more grounded."

Vice films a dramatic scene for the vertical drama "Legally Bound to Love." | Source: Madison Vice

For Vice, one of the biggest draws of vertical dramas is the pace.

"I love the fast pace," she said. "When I'm on set, I want to work. I have the 'put me in coach' mindset. So I like the fast pace and the long hours. It's exhilarating."

Preparing for a day on the set of "Alpha's Fake or Fated Mate" | Source: Madison Vice

The Role That Left the Biggest Mark

Although Vice has portrayed a variety of characters across the genre, one role continues to stand above the rest: Julia in "The Summer of Him."

"It was my first protagonist leading role," she said.

What made the experience especially meaningful, however, was the opportunity to portray a character whose journey felt grounded and relatable.

"There was none of the typical vertical over-the-top dramatics," she said. "Whereas most protagonists in verticals have to overcome some pretty far-fetched obstacles, Julia was overcoming very relatable obstacles, and the story supported that brilliantly."

Behind the scenes of "The Summer of Him" | Source: Madison Vice

She also credits the people around her for making the experience unforgettable.

"The cast and crew were so amazing," she said. "I think we really all made something magical together."

The production became an especially memorable milestone when it drew the attention of The New York Times, which visited the set during filming.

"We were featured in the NYT and had them on set," she said. "So that was pretty awesome."

Looking Ahead, One Role at a Time

While Vice has built a growing résumé across theater, film, and vertical dramas, she says one of the biggest challenges of her career has remained constant.

"Rejection," she said. "Probably a challenge I am still and will be overcoming in different ways throughout my career."

Like many actors, she admits it can be difficult not to take missed opportunities personally.

Over time, however, she's come to see those moments differently.

"What I have realized and have to remind myself of is that things happen for a reason," she said. "Every time I have booked something, it has been at the perfect time. A character so perfect for me. And everything about the situation is so special."

On the set of the vertical drama "Goodbye My Tempting Wife" | Source: Madison Vice

Vice says some of her most rewarding memories aren't tied to a single achievement, but to the milestones that marked each new chapter of her career.

"I have so many," she said. "All of the firsts for sure: first lead onstage, first professional production (even with the smallest role), first TV role, first vertical lead. Honestly every time I get to work, it's rewarding."

Those milestones also reflect years of pushing herself beyond her comfort zone.

A behind-the-scenes moment from the filming of "Someone Loved Is Never Lost" | Source: Madison Vice

Vice also shared that she has struggled with anxiety, but has never wanted it to define the choices she makes.

"I never wanted to feel like I was a victim to my anxiety," she said. "I've spent my whole life pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone and making bold choices that are intimidating to me (like becoming an actor) to prove to myself that I can do it." Looking back on that journey, she added:

One of Vice's earliest stage performances came at age 13, when she appeared as a tree in a production of "The Wizard of Oz." | Source: Madison Vice

That same mindset continues to fuel the projects she's taking on today.

Vice recently appeared in the DramaWave vertical drama "Ain't Love A Science," where she plays one of the story's antagonists, Bonnie.

"She has a level of crazy that was fun for me to tap into," she said.

Behind the scenes of "Ain't Love A Science" | Source: Courtesy of Madison Vice

Beyond vertical dramas, she's also looking forward to audiences seeing the upcoming feature film "Murmur," her first major supporting role in a feature film. She describes the horror project as one of the most meaningful experiences of her career.

Although horror isn't her preferred genre to watch, she says acting in it has been an entirely different experience.

"This project is also really special to me," she said. "I helped produce it with my boyfriend Felipe Marinheiro. When he first brought the script to me (that he had written) I knew it was something special. It blossomed into one of my favorite experiences and probably the most challenging role I have played so far."

A still from the upcoming horror film "Murmur" | Source: Madison Vice

While she's enjoying exploring new genres, Vice says one dream project still remains at the top of her wish list.

"I would love to have my worlds collide and do an onscreen Musical Theatre Project," she said.

Asked what advice she would give the younger version of herself before entering the entertainment industry, Vice's answer reflected the same outlook that has carried her through every stage of her career.

"It's hard—stick with it, be patient, and don't take any opportunity for granted," she said. "Your time will come."

When she's not acting, Vice enjoys spending summer days with friends by the ocean. | Source: Madison Vice