Sunday, July 24, 2016

Spotlight On...Markus McClain

Name: Markus McClain

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

Education: BFA in Musical Theatre from Indiana University

Select Credits: Mark in The Secret Theatre's A Chorus Line, To Dance! The Musical at NYC Int'l Fringe Festival, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, and Williamstown Theatre Festival

Why theater?: I love telling stories through dialogue, song, and dance. There's nothing like a live audience and having the opportunity to open their hearts and minds, or even just to provide them some good entertainment.  

Who do you play in Tink?: Nibs, the Lost Boy.

Tell us about Tink: Tink is a new family-friendly musical that's a bit of a prequel to the Peter Pan story and told through Tinkerbell's eyes.

What is it like being a part of Tink?: It's been a magical process with a group of really fun people. It's been wonderful to feel like a kid again and to play pretend in Neverland!

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Generally speaking, I love any kind of theatre that leaves you feeling intellectually stimulated.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Finch in How to Succeed!

What’s your favorite showtune?: "What I Did for Love" from A Chorus Line is pretty classic, right!?

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: In the Broadway circle, I'm particularly inspired by women like Kelli O'Hara and Laura Benanti. Maybe I can play their son!?

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Sometimes people say I look like Andrew Garfield, so maybe him? At the current time, I would definitely call the movie of my life "Quarter Life Crisis".

If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: I've heard that one of the most amazing performances in American theatre history was Laurette Taylor's Amanda Wingfield in the original Broadway production of The Glass Menagerie.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: I would've said Bright Star, but it recently closed so I'd have to go with last year's Best Musical Tony winner Fun Home. I've also heard The Color Purple is amazing but I haven't gotten the chance to see it yet.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Justin Bieber's most recent album for sure. That and Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie.

What’s up next?: I'm going on a trip to Europe sometime this fall, so that's pretty exciting!

For more on Markus, visit www.MarkusMcClain.com