What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
Favorite to perform is definitely the scene leading into “Don’t Do Sadness/Blue Wind.” We hit so many highs and lows in that scene and regardless of how my show has been going up until that point, it is the first time I really get to shed everything. It is definitely Ilse's and Moritz's most "raw" moment, and it is so much fun to share that moment together on stage every night. We are both extremely vulnerable in that scene, which I think is why it is so easy for so many people to perhaps relate to our characters.
Favorite to watch is probably "Touch Me" - I'm in the scene, but very much as an observer. It is the most sensual and beautiful number in the show, I think - and a song where a few of our cast mates really get to let loose and show off vocally. The music combined with the amazing lighting in that scene creates such a beautiful part of our show.
What inspires you to play the role?
Ilse is a girl who, despite some really horrible and difficult struggles in her life, does everything she can to take control back. Not very many people in the show or in real life for that matter get that chance. She is a girl who is totally broken, but can still find the beauty in life and can find opportunity in every situation. I think it's prevalent that she begins "The Song of Purple Summer". It is a song about hope and the promise of our future, especially when in the hands of children - this next generation. If I can give even a little bit of that hope and inspiration to any of our younger audiences, I've done my job.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
So much fun. Every audience we have is so excited to have us because this is their only chance! And you would not believe the differences we see everywhere we go. We get different laughs, different awkward silences, but the same uproar at the end of the show. All audiences appreciate the show in different ways, and getting to know them during the run of our show is part of what makes it so fun. We never know what to expect.
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
I had a boy at a talk-back tell me that he was in love with me, and his friends backed him up, assuring me it was true. I thanked him, but promised that long distance relationships never work out.
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
I'm sure you've heard about the man who had to be escorted off stage.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage/at the stage door?
In Minneapolis we went to a restaurant right after the show and had a lot of people come up to our table thanking us for the show and saying how much they loved it. Then, a couple came up to us, thanked us so much for our performances and put $40.00 down on the table for whatever we wanted to eat. It was so cool!
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
I have no idea how they do it. Every time an understudy gets to a random part of the show I never would have even considered, it amazes me.
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
Anyone in our cast can probably tell you that I'm the "emotional one" - but I definitely cried all during their talks with us. What an amazing opportunity, to perform a show that is SO incredibly important to the two of them, not to mention the thousands of people this show has touched. They were two of the fathers of this show, and here we were - about to spread their baby around America, and we had their stamp of approval - brought them to tears even. That was an unbelievable moment. And as sick as you'd think they were of the show, they assured us that this show, almost more than ever - is so important to be spreading around America. If they can still find that dire importance, how could we not?
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
I'd love to play "Dot" in Sunday in the Park with George. I think Sondheim is totally brilliant, and being allowed to put his piece on stage should be an honor and something that has to be worked up to. I remember how inspired I was when I saw that show for the first time on Broadway, and I would love to take on that challenge and perhaps share my same experience with someone else.
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