Hi Dakota! Thanks for
taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us. Tell us about
past SDSU productions you’ve been involved in or any other San Diego-area
projects that we might know you from.
I
have performed in at least one show a year during my 4 years at SDSU and every one
of them have been a fantastic experience! Whether it was a student-directed
production or a staff-directed production, the amount of professionalism and
support that comes from the department has always kept me loving the work that
our theater department puts on. My most recent role, however, was outside of
SDSU's department in which I played the role of "Henry" in the
production Next To Normal, which happens to be one of my favorite new
shows.
So, what originally made you choose to participate in musical theatre?
I
have always enjoyed music and singing and performing, ever since I was 5 years
old, and I started doing mini shows with an acting group at my church.
Eventually I started getting bigger and bigger roles and I began branching out
to community theaters and performing with more serious companies and I just
feel in love with the whole process. Once I got older, I really struggled a
long time trying to figure out whether or not Musical Theatre was something I
could see myself doing as a possible career. It was always conflicting with my
athletic endeavors, but eventually I realized there were millions of burly guys
trying to make it as a football player, and only a handful of them trying to
make it in the theatre business. So I stuck with it and I'm very happy with
my choice.
What is one thing that you love about Drowsy?
I
love the way that it pokes fun at itself and never really takes itself too
seriously. I believe most of the comedy comes from the satirical nature this
show has regarding the stereotypes of the 1920's, and playing these roles that
are so different from our real lives makes it that much more fun.
What are some unique challenges of your role?
Being
a 1920's-style gangster that isn’t supposed to be a dancer, but has to become a
dancer in an instant and look good doing it, but still portray to the audience
that we don't really have any idea what we are doing.
What is one thing that audience members should know before coming to see
the show?
The
jokes are rapid fire and if you aren’t paying close attention, you are bound to
miss a handful of great material. If you stay invested in this show, and allow
it to sweep you away, you will fall in love with it!
