Q&A with Emily Mest

Role: Thea

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

“My Junk” is my favorite! It is so much fun to dance around and be able to sing and interact with the other cast members and the audience. “My Junk” is such a playful song we can really just be ourselves!

What inspires you to play the role?

How much this musical means to the audiences. Hearing people’s appreciation and stories after the show is what drives me to want to tell the story every night. The story is relevant and universal to any time period. This show brings up issues, starts a discussion, and needs to be seen by audiences everywhere.

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

It exciting! No show is ever the same. It’s fun to see how certain audiences in certain states react to the show. I think having the audience onstage makes it so much more personal that we feel like we've really connected with every audience. And they love to dance and rock out with us too, which is fun!

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

The Guilty Ones are awesome! They are so supportive and bake us nice things! I love looking out into the audience and seeing the Guilty Ones rocking out and singing along with all of the words.

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

Well, one time during the final scene in the graveyard, as soon as I sat down in my chair the guy next to me loudly said that the cast was great in my ear and stared, waiting for me to respond! So I just kept a straight face and was laughing to myself until I could whisper thank you at the end of the show. I saw him after the show and he said he understood why we couldn't talk to him onstage!

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

Well, at the stage door it's all about the boys! Everyone at the stage door only wants to know about which boy is single! HAH! So, sometimes we end up giving information about the boys more than ourselves at the stage door! My favorite thing that happened was that one time the stage door was so packed and crazy with people that when I came out of the door I almost immediately got lost in the crowd and was being pushed around by everyone and almost sunk to the floor. It was hilarious and scary because I don't think anyone saw me nearly collapsing to the floor!

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

I was very sick in October and I sat out and got to see Erin in the show as Thea. She was wonderful!!!!!! It was so strange to see the show from a whole new perspective and as an audience member. I found myself really wanting to get up on stage with everyone and do the show! It reminded me of how I felt seeing the show before I was cast, so passionate and wanting to be in Spring Awakening more than anything.

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

It was amazing, but so nerve-wracking. I am such a huge fan of the show I couldn't dream of meeting them and performing for them. It was unreal having them there at rehearsals and it helped the process because we really felt the support for our tour from the original creative team. Also, hearing them react and laugh at parts of the show that they wrote was wonderful.

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

Natalie in Next to Normal. But, in a straight play I really want to play Abigail in The Crucible.

Jeff Ostermueller: Q&A

Role:
CHAIR OF ROCK!!

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

When the music returns after the acapella section of “The Song of Purple Summer.”

What inspires you to play the role?

I think the simple truths that the play tells so effortlessly is sufficient inspiration for anybody to play any role in this show.

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

Exciting—there's a completely different vibe in every theater that's fun to play off of. It helps keep the show fresh as well because if you're really listening everything sounds/reacts differently every night.

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

Not one in particular, but my mother keeps me updated and she probably wishes she could respond to every post but has somehow controlled herself.

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

I've had a bunch of people try to talk to me during the show...one guy didn't know I was a part of the cast and so after “Touch Me” when we're revealed he kept saying, "You got me good. You f-ing got me so good," while a scene was going on. We also have trouble entering through the theater sometimes because some venues give us fake tickets that don't work and we have to convince the ushers we know what we're doing, even though we've never been to that theater before, have no idea where we're going, and have no forms of identification on us. It gets interesting.

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

In Lexington, KY and Dayton, OH we kept getting all of these baked goods as presents pre-show! It was really cool but we had to have our company manager test them to make sure they were ok because we have to be cautious when two people show up with dozens of cupcakes and personalized letters for a cast they've never met in a show they haven't seen yet.

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

It's amazing and the best part about it is that the rest of the cast loves it more than the understudy performing. There is an enormous amount of respect and love for the understudies in the cast so when one goes on everybody tries to make it as fun as possible for the person and we all end up having a lot of fun ourselves in the process.

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

Amazing. Nerve-racking at first but they love this show and you can tell they were really rooting for us, so the energy was so positive and exciting.

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

Although I'm not the slightest bit Jewish I would love to play Jamie in The Last 5 Years. Jason Robert Brown's story-telling is quite possibly unmatched and the character's journey through some extraordinary times in their lives. Plus Jamie is so likable yet certainly doesn't choose the righteous path... It would be an honor to explore a character with so much depth and humanity as Jamie.

Q&A with Erin Burniston

Role: Ensemble (Chair of Rock)/female swing/dance captain

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

My favorite song is "Those You've Known." I love how the melody of the song integrates all the different musical themes in the show. It also is the only song that furthers the plot and allows you to see Melchior work through his personal struggle.

What inspires you to play the role?

As a Chair of Rock, I’m inspired simply by the fact that I am performing in the hottest musical of the decade. This show not only changed musical theatre, but also changes the lives of all who come to see it.

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

Every night the show is different. I enjoy it because it really keeps us on our toes and allows us to have a new and different energy every time we perform. As a Chair of Rock, it's always interesting to see how the various audiences in different cities react to our role in the show.

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

Every night on stage is a surprise! Some audience members have come right out and asked me if I was in the show. Others have offered to switch seats with me so that I “wouldn’t have to sit by myself." I have also had people talk to me during the middle of a pivotal scene. I love sitting on stage and I love seeing the different reactions from people every single night!

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

We had a huge crowd after both of our shows in Minneapolis. The second night was my birthday, and Christopher Wood (Melchior) announced to the fans that it was my birthday and made everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to me! The funny part was - they all knew my name! At first I thought it was just the cast, but every person at the stage door already knew who I was! It was a fun birthday surprise. It’s very exciting to have people at the stage door that know and care about us.

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

I have been able to watch understudies go on and also perform as one! To watch my fellow swings get a chance to perform is so thrilling. Four of the five of us performed this fall, and each time was just as exciting as the first. I found myself tearing up, even during the funnier moments of the show because I was so proud. I know how hard we all work and how much we hope for those special shows when we get to go on. Having an understudy perform also brings a new and different energy to the show and allows the cast members to find new moments.

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

Performing for Steven and Michael was a truly special experience, especially because the show holds so much personal significance to them. I was touched how grateful they were to us that we were continuing the journey of their show and how pleased they were with our production.

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

I would be honored to play the role of Clara Johnson in The Light in the Piazza. It would be a great acting challenge to play a part that is so complex and multi-layered. It would be a dream come true to sing the beautiful score, and to take on the challenge of portraying Clara.

Q&A with Aliya Bowles

Role: Martha Bessel

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

My favorite moment in the show is when we perform the song “My Junk.” It is such a fun upbeat number. I love interacting with everyone onstage.

What inspires you to play the role?

I think of the people that have told me at the stage door how long they have loved this show but have never gotten to see it because they couldn't get to New York or because the show never came around to their town. So to know that people finally get to see a show that means so much to them is great.

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

I love playing a new venue almost every night, it keeps the show fresh. Every theatre has a different feel to it. Having a different audience every night is so much fun, you never know what their reaction will be to the show.

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

We had one girl who made each cast member a card and she baked cupcakes for all of us.

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

Sometimes during the show after certain numbers the audience members that have sat next to me have whispered "that was great" to me after the songs. It’s great to know how much they are enjoying the show.

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

The weirdest thing that happened to me while I was onstage was in Memphis. We were told that the theatre we were in is haunted. During “The Dark I Know Well” my microphone wasn't working so in the middle of the song our sound technician had to run onstage and hand me a hand-held microphone. Apparently my microphone became unplugged so some of the cast thinks the ghost of the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis unplugged it.

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

I haven’t been able to watch from the audience when an understudy goes on, but it is fun for everyone when they get to go on. It adds a new energy to the show and they work so hard memorizing so many roles, so when they get to perform it’s great!

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

It was surreal performing in front of Steven Sater and Michael Mayer. I remember seeing this show on Broadway and how moved I was, so to perform for the people who made all that happen was awesome. This show means so much to them and to know that they have seen how much we love performing this show and how much it means to us as well was amazing.

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

I would love to play Mimi in Rent. Rent was one of the first musicals I ever listened to and I fell in love with it. It is such a fun show and it has such a great message. It is one of my dream shows.

Q&A with Courtney Markowitz

Role: Ilse 

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.