Q&A with Michael Linden

Role: Chair of Rock

What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?

I NEVER get tired of watching the girls rock out during “Mama Who Bore Me Reprise.” There’s so much incredible energy. If the show were two hours of that song, I wouldn’t mind watching it over and over again.

What inspires you to play the role?

I love the fact that the chairs of rock are so connected to the audience because we are literally a part of it. I always get excited right before we stand for “Touch Me,” because I feel as though the “audience becoming part of the show” dynamic is something that no other show has.

What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?

Fantastic! It keeps it fresh and we get to play in some beautiful venues. I do get lost backstage a lot, but it’s because of my lack of an internal compass.

Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?

The Guilty Ones constantly surprise me with their support, knowledge, and plethora of treats. When it came around to Halloween, we had more candy than we knew what to do with. Well…I knew what to do with it. Especially the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?

I love going out before intermission ends and asking the people sitting next to me, “So….Did you figure me out before the show?” Oftentimes the answer is yes, because they’ve seen the show but when someone is experiencing the show for the first time, it’s amazing to be such a tangible part of their experience and scare them for a few minutes.

What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage/at the stage door?

I was signing a girl’s poster in Minneapolis and she involuntarily yelled out “I follow you on Twitter!” Cool.--We’ve never met but you know what I do on a daily basis!

Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?

The Chairs of Rock have SO much pride when we get to watch one of our brethren go on. I know that it’s the most nerve-wracking experience in the world, but the support that happens on that stage when someone is going on for a role is one of the most beautiful things I have ever been a part of.

What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?

They are amazing and so grateful that we could share in this beautiful story they have created. I also loved watching Michael Mayer rock out on the air drums during “Purple Summer.”

What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?

I had the privilege to play Bat Boy in Bat Boy: The Musical in college, and I’m dying to do it again. Not only is it one of the most fun roles I’ve ever played, but I think there’s a really strong message in the show wrapped up with hysterical characters and circumstances. I’d also love to play Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys. I like to sing high!

Q&A with Daniel Plimpton

Role: Ernst

What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?

I love every moment, but the first one that comes to mind is the moment when the music to “B***h of Living” starts. We have been sitting in the most uncomfortable positions, and that’s the moment when our characters finally have their first chance to break out of this repressive world and say what they are really feeling.

What inspires you to play the role?

In light of the recent suicides, I find it an honor to play Ernst, a homosexual who is finding his way in a society that will not accept who he is. I am happy to say that modern day society is more and more tolerant every day, especially in comparison to our 1891 German world. However, as proven this fall, we have a long way to go, and if I can touch someone in the audience who hasn’t been accepted and can relate to what Ernst is coping with, I know I’ve done something meaningful and special.

What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?

I always look forward to that first moment when we step onstage and get to see the new house. It’s always awesome to play in any theatre so to play in so many is truly an honor. I take a picture of every theatre so that I don’t forget it.

Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?

I was speaking to one guy after the show whose girlfriend was a Guilty One, and he had never seen the show, only heard the music. He told me that in the past two hours, he had gotten more chills than he had ever gotten in his entire life. It never gets old to hear that you have reached someone in a new way and touched them.

Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?

I was blessed one night to have my parents sitting onstage. In a show that is much about parents and children, it was so inspiring to have them there. I cannot be more grateful for the way I was raised and for them to be there with me as I performed this amazing show was truly touching.

What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage/at the stage door?

We all had a cool experience in Memphis when we walked into the Orpheum, and read a posting about the ghost that lived in the theatre. We were told that she loved to play with buttons and mess with things onstage. That night was the first night that any microphone had ever come unplugged, our assistant stage manager felt something over his shoulder and kept turning around to find no one there, and multiple cast members came offstage with buttons to redo. It was kind of spooky but I loved every minute of it.

Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?

I did get the chance to watch the show in Wisconsin, and I got to see it once from the house and once from onstage. It was amazing to be able to feel the audience energy and how glued they were to the events onstage. It was also really inspiring to watch my fellow cast mates and the heart and soul that they put into the show night after night.

What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?

It was amazing to hear what they said about the origins of the show, and to see how much this piece means to them. I remember when Michael Mayer was there, he started crying during “Purple Summer.” Being able to look at this man who has created a piece that means so much to me and to so many people was truly an unforgettable moment. I will be forever grateful to Steven Sater and Michael Mayer for their work and to be able to perform for them was truly unbelievable.

What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?

I would kill to play Huck Finn in Big River - it has been my dream role since I first heard the music when I was 13. Big River is another show that has such an important message. Huck has a rebellious, fun side to him while still caring greatly about humanity and morality. I really do hope to play that part in the next few years.

Q&A with Elizabeth Judd

Role: Wendla

What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?

Singing “Purple Summer.” It is amazing to come together as a cast at the end of the show, look the audience in the eye, and tell them about a future filled with communication where compassion overrules anger, love conquers hate, and hope dominates despair.

What inspires you to play the role?

The responses from adults and teens are why I can’t wait to walk out of the curtain each night. Telling a story that people can relate to in such deep ways is incredible. Before most shows the cast huddles up backstage and to pump us up we say that someone out there needs this show. When you get a letter or hear from that person after the show who says the show changed their life, that’s our inspiration.

What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?

It's a blast! It definitely keeps everyone on their toes and the show nice and fresh.

What is the coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage/at the stage door?

A girl who was currently dealing with some of the more serious issues discussed in the show came up to one of the cast members and shared that seeing this issue talked and sung about on stage made her feel like she wasn't so alone. That is why we do the show, because for some it's informative, for others it's eye opening, and for some it's their own life and it brings them comfort to see they are not alone.

What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?

It was incredible to have the original creative team in the room and to hear what they had to say about the importance of the message of this show today. It could have been very intimidating but they were extremely uplifting and gave us confidence in the work we were doing.

What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?

Kim from Miss Saigon. I got to play the role in high school and now being a couple years older I would love to go back and really dive into the role and fall in love with the character even more. I think the story and music is incredible and extremely moving, it's an epic musical.