Actor Mark Poppleton, who plays all the adult male roles in the national tour of Spring Awakening sat down to answer some questions asked by fellow cast member Rachel Geisler! Click on the video to watch!
For more information about Spring Awakening, visit www.springawakening.com.
Showing posts with label adult male. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adult male. Show all posts
Travis Stroessenreuther - Q&A
Adult Male (Understudy)
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
It's hard not to be jazzed by ”Totally F***ed.” The energy that pours off that stage is just incredible. I find, though, that there are smaller, more intimate moments that sometimes just catch me off guard and really affect me on different nights. The scene between Moritz and Ilse, for example, gets me nearly every night.
What inspires you to play the role?
As the adult male, I really enjoy the challenge of making each character genuine and human. I think the trap can be to play stereotypes of the characters rather than the characters themselves. There HAS to be something to grab on to for the audience. If every character in the “Adult World' is just awful and there is no redeeming quality, who cares? There has to be something tangible and sympathetic about each and every one of those characters.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
The theatres have been beautiful and the energy from each new audience has been tremendous. You really remember that it's their first time.
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
I'm sure it's been mentioned already, but we had a fellow onstage in Wichita that got a little too, what's the word, exuberant? He began to stand and sway and, during “Totally F***ed,” began dancing and banging on the chairs. As he began to step into the playing area, our head carpenter smoothly went onto the stage and escorted him off. He was probably harmless, but you just can't take that chance.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage?
Please see above!
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
The understudies that have gone on have been tremendous! They've really come through wonderfully and it's been a joy to see. Also, it really makes the rest of the cast step up their game as well because of that new energy that is onstage. Really amazing. As the Adult Male understudy, I haven't had the opportunity to go on yet. I hope to in the Spring.
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
It's interesting. I'm not generally a musical theatre guy, but here I am on a national tour of a musical. I'm trained as an improv comedian and a classical actor. I would absolutely LOVE to be in a production of The Complete Works of Shakespeare: Abridged!
Q&A with Mark Poppleton
Adult Male
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
“Totally F***ed,” and it was amazing at one venue we received three waves of applause for it. Totally gratifying!
What inspires you to play the role?
The chance to touch a new audience every night with this incredible show.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
Having a fixed set that travels with us means that no matter how different the venue is, it always feels like home.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member at the stage door?
It's fun that sometimes I walk out of the stage door and the crowd parts like the Red Sea because they are afraid of my characters. Then usually someone breaks the ice, and they realize I'm really a nice person.
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
I had so much going on in my mind; I didn't really worry about who was out there. BUT afterwards...it was really cool!
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
I was already lucky enough to play one of my favorite roles, Sweeney Todd. I would love to play that again and again. One of my favorites I have not yet gotten a chance to play is Javert in Les Misérables.
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