Denise Crosby at GeekGirlCon 2013

Denise Crosby as Lt. Tasha Yar in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Image courtesy Denise Crosby
Denise Crosby as Lt. Tasha Yar in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Image courtesy Denise Crosby

Denise Crosby was a special guest at GeekGirlCon 2013 in Seattle this weekend. The actress best known as Lt. Tasha Yar of Star Trek: The Next Generation greeted fans, signed autographs and most importantly shared invaluable insights of her experience as an actress.

 

Sunday’s panel was hilarious, insightful and inspiring. Crosby explained why she left the series after one season. I often call Tasha the “James Dean” of Star Trek because she was on the show for one season but made such an incredible impact. This being a science fiction series, Crosby was able to reprise her role in one of the most beloved episodes, Yesterday’s Enterprise.

 

Crosby revealed how it was opportunity to finally play opposite Whoopi Goldberg, who joined as Guinan after she left the series and how she like playing the “insecurity in the security chief” given the character’s tortured past and rise to her Starfleet position.

 

We were on the edge of our seats with delight learning how she pitched the of Sela to the Star Trek bosses at the time. (Crosby played her own half-Romulan daughter and sworn enemy of the Enterprise crew due to the events after Yesterday’s Enterprise.)

 

The biggest treat that inspire awes was when Crosby was asked about if Tasha could come back and she replied “I’d like to put the Borg Queen back in her cube” but then the idea of Sela versus the Borg Queen (Alice Krige) was even more fun to ponder!

 

I got to ask Crosby about having a significant role in Trek history and the impact on female fans.

 

“That’s one of the most rewarding parts of this. You just are grateful to be able to act and succeed in a profession you’ve dreamed of but then to have this residual effect that inspires women to stand up for themselves and be strong and not be afraid and you that they can succeed..wow..that’s profound.”

 

Denise Crosby is currently starring in Ray Donovan on Showtime.

 

By Editor