An Interview The Tustin Area Council for the Fine Arts for Broadway in the Park's Annie:

How did you get involved with musical theater?

I wasn’t the most popular kid in elementary school, but all of the kids who did the musicals were. So, I decided to audition to sort of boost my social status. The show was Peter Pan, and the night before the auditions I had been watching the Annie film with Carol Burnett. So, I got it in my 12-year-old head that I would sing easy street, fully choreographed, a Capella, and…in the style of Louis Armstrong. I was cast as John which ended up being the most fun and eye opening experience for me as a young artist. I am glad that I decided to audition even if it was for a silly reason, because I have been on a wonderful journey ever since. My director who had just graduated from OCHSA saw something in me and put me in contact with the head of musical theater at OCHSA; the incomparable Jeff Paul. This led to me to attending OCHSA for musical theater. I feel like I have been led exactly where I need to be by people who have the ability to lift people up into their full potential. For this I will always be grateful!

Do you have anyone who mentored you in acting?

I am lucky enough to have had many fantastic mentors placed along my path, so it would be very hard to pick just one. Two come to mind: my long-time voice teacher and friend, Amy Eklund, and my dear friend and mentor Linda Moran. Amy has been with me since the dawn of my instrument and has taught me the art of the slow and steady pace. She has taught me that every small bit of work counts towards an end goal but to not be obsessed with that end goal. Instead, to obsess myself with falling in love with the process of getting there and accepting that you will never ‘get there’- that there is always work to be done. She reminds me that singing is not about beauty, but rather about using sound to tell a story and therein lies the beauty. There is always a story to be told and she is the greatest beacon of that message. I met Linda when I was wrapping up my JC studies to transfer to UCI. She directed me in Spelling Bee and I quickly saw that this woman enables students to become the best version of themselves and present their best work. Ever since I met Linda she has taught me all the ways in which I may take a look in the mirror at what is good and what I might improve on to become more rounded. In this there is so much truth, which I’d like to think I have been able to bring to my work as an artist who is self ware. Picking mentors is hard, there have been so many: the staff at OCHSA, UCI, and anyone who knows me understands my long-time obsession with Miss Meryl Streep’s cannon of work.

What do like most about playing the character of Drake?

I greatly enjoy the chance to be silly and playing with concepts that are not usually considered for this role! I normally do very sad shows or shows which don’t leave audiences with a smile at the end, so it has been a pleasure doing a show and playing a role which has access to so much internal joy and light. I am relishing the opportunity to share this joy with audiences and my fellow cast members.

How are you most like your character? How are you unlike that character?

When I have a job to do I attack it with precision and a desire to get it done right with the best possible outcome. And I love being useful, just as Drake enjoys being at attention to wait for his next task. I don’t really enjoy sitting around and doing nothing unless it’s sleeping. I will admit that I am unlike my character in the sense that I am not always the best with being tidy at home. So I probably wouldn’t stick it out with an employer like the beginning of Act 1 Warbucks. Sorry, Frank!

What other roles have you played recently? Do you have a favorite?

Recently I have played Professor Bhaer in the musical adaptation of Little Women, and I was fortunate enough to be a part of my absolute favorite musical Parade in which my track was comprised of about nine different characters. I am incredibly proud of both of those, however, Parade really put me through the mental ringer with a track that enormous. It showed me just how many things I can juggle as an actor and still come out successful even with a plate that full. It was very eye opening and demanded a lot of me. My favorite role I have ever played changes frequently, but at the moment I’d have to say playing Leaf Coneybear was the most fun I have ever had working on a role. You have to play Leaf without putting a leash on yourself by limiting how far you can go with it. And as an actor who sort of lives by the textbook, that was really good for me to explore.

I see you attended OCHSA in high school. How did this education prepare you for your present career?

First off I will say that OCHSA is possibly the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I would not be the current incarnation of myself if it weren’t for that place. I am honestly still learning lessons that were gifted to me from my time at OCHSA because they gave me so much information. I think the greatest thing OCHSA did for me was treat me like a professional at a young age and demand that I expect that from myself as well. It was because of this professional mindset that I began to form a work ethic. OCHSA’s rigorous 8:00AM to 5:00PM schedule in addition to evening rehearsals was practice for the impacted schedule that professional artists keep to. So it is rare that my schedule completely winds me, because I had exposure to something similar at a young age. I also got very good at self identifying at OCHSA. No good teacher just gives you your skill set on a silver platter and that’s what made those teachers so good for me. I was so very green when I started there and I started to recognize that through the skills being taught to me. So I knew what I had to work on for myself and expect from myself to bring myself to the level of achievement I knew that I wanted.

Tell me about your vocalist performance at Carnegie Hall? Was it as intimidating as it sounds?

This was the most awesome day of my very short life so far. The images of that day are seared to my brain and I will always remember it. And what I remember most was how fearless I was that day. I had been given my music four months or so in advance so I practiced every night I came home from school. I knew that music inside out, backwards and forward, north and south, east and west. So by the time I go onstage at Carnegie Hall I had nothing to doubt, I was ready. I was able to soak in the moment that I had prepared for because my mind wasn’t occupied with getting it wrong. So from this experience I learned about preparedness. I tend to be a very nervous auditioner and performer when I am not prepared to the extent I was that day. So, I always make the effort to really know my stuff. and when I have difficulty working through something I just close my eyes and remember what a standing ovation at Carnegie Hall looked like from standing center stage.

Who are most looking forward to seeing you in Annie?

My family and friends, because they enable me to live my dream of performing and have helped me do it every step of the way. It always feels like a return of the efforts they have put in to make my dream possible. I am also excited for children to come see this show. I remember how I felt when someone first touched my soul from the stage and I know that if we can inspire any young person out there by the end of this run, our job is complete and fulfilling.

What is your favorite number in Annie?

Easy Street will always have such a special place in my heart. Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse have composed such a wonderful score and it is a privilege to sing it and be captured by it over and over again.

What would be your dream role?

My list of dream roles is getting longer by the day! At the top of my list is Leo Frank. I’d like to play him in a couple of years when I know more about myself because he is so unwavering in his humanity. I feel I could bring a unique perspective to him that I would enjoy sharing. And one day it would be an honor to work on George Seurat in the beautiful Sunday in the Park with George. For now I am having a blast playing Drake in Annie! One role at a time!

Tustin, CA. 2017.