Thursday, January 26, 2012

Spotlight On...Nick Blaemire

Name: Nick Blaemire

Hometown: Bethesda, MD

Education: University of Michigan

Select Credits:
"The Big C" (Owen, Showtime); Glory Days (Composer/Lyricist; Circle in the Square Theatre); Cry-Baby (Whiffle, Marquis Theatre); Altar Boyz (Abraham - 1st National Tour)

Why theater?: Because it's the most fulfilling way to connect with a large group of people about issues and stories you believe in. It's a way to make people think, feel, and remind people that we're all human beings and need to be good to each other.

What is it like being a part of Godspell?: It's a total blast. It's kind of like returning to kindergarten, and then growing back up to adulthood every evening. The cast is supremely talented and we're so lucky to get to do a show where we don't ever leave the stage, and get to show so many facets of our personalities.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I love being part of art that says something fresh about being a person - whether its the underbelly or a reminder of all the things we're capable of, layered, nuanced theatre with rich characters and surprising stories always attract me. I'm inspired by the work of ballsy writers who are willing to try new, risky things, and actors with strong work ethics, and unique perspectives on how to look at a situation or character. Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Matt Damon, Steven Spielberg, Tom Stoppard, Stephen Sondheim, James Lapine - those kind of people :).

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Lately i've been really excited about the prospect of playing new roles, stuff no one's gotten to touch yet, that maybe hasn’t even been completely figured out yet. But in terms of stuff that's already been written, and for theatre, I'd love to play George in Sunday…, Charley in Merrily…, Mark in Rent, Batboy in Batboy

You’re an actor and writer. Do you prefer one over the other?: I've actually found them to be very complimentary disciplines. When i get tired of acting, I inevitably want to start writing again, and vice versa. They really feed each other. And lately i've been lucky enough to get to do them both pretty much every day, so i'm sitting in an embarrassment of artistic riches over here.

What’s your favorite showtune?:
"Our Time" from Merrily We Roll Along or "Sunday" from Sunday in the Park with George.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?:
Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Matt Damon, Steven Spielberg, Tom Stoppard, Stephen Sondheim…

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: ooh man, I dont know - maybe Shia Lebouf? And it'd be called “Accentuated Features”, in honor of my schnoz and big ears.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: I haven’t gotten to see much lately because of Godspell, but I hear Once is incredible.

What’s up next?: I'm releasing my first EP with my band The Hustle, which should be out by the end of February, continuing to play gigs with them, and I just completed new drafts for two original musicals i'm writing, After Robert Hutchens, which we workshopped up at Williamstown Theatre Festival this summer, and When the World Ends, which we just did a reading of over at Ars Nova!

For more on Nick, visit him at http://www.nick-blaemire.com/ and http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nick+blaemire+and+the+hustle.