
Is this your first Sheherezade?
This one will officially put me in the 5-timers Club.
Sheherezade is an ensemble piece, which means you are playing several roles between the plays. What are the roles you are playing this year?
This year I am Boy in “Dissonance”, Darren in “The Interview”, Justin in “The Box”, and Joe in “Brew, Drink, Repeat”
Knowing that we all bring ourselves to the roles we play, is there a character or character's experience that you connect with in particular?
These days I truly understand Joe’s rut in “Brew, Drink, Repeat”, and how if you don’t know any better it’s hard to see reality for what it is, one’s routine or comfort zone, and the pushing yourself to breakout of it unless something snaps you into action. But with all good casting you are put into roles that are easy for you to bring yourself to and empathize with the characters. So along those lines, Darren’s efforts to better himself while trying to balance his current situation and Justin’s thought on unrequited love makes it difficult for him to read the signs - are both situations I can easily connect with. The signs are not always that easy to read. I think it’s easier to get along the Tokyo subway than read those signs right.
An emerging theme between these plays that has really jumped out at us is reality and perception. Tell us about an experience that you thought had been one thing only to discover it was completely different.
I used to think I was closer to 5’12 than 5’10. Heartbreaking. Outside of that I’m still working with my psychiatrist on that topic.
What do you hope audience members come away from the show with?
I hope that they come away with a perspective that although Shakespeare, Miller, and SHN shows are great, there are other stories and theater experiences out there and there are artist out there creating them. That and a lighter wallet that is a fair trade off for a fun night of unexpected theater.
What are you most excited about to share with the audience?
With any play, I’m always excited to share with audiences a new story and experience for them to see, or a new interpretation of a familiar play. This time around I know its all fresh to everyone and that is really exciting.