Monday, June 16, 2014

Spotlight On...Taylor Shubert

Name: Taylor Shubert

Hometown:
Calabasas, CA

Education: BFA Musical Theatre, The Boston Conservatory

Select Credits: A Chorus Line (North Shore Music Theatre), Hairspray (Merry-Go-Round) Hey, Sailor! (MAC Cosmetics), The Sun Show (Disney), "Shakespeare High" (Showtime/ Tribeca Film Fest.).

Why theater?:
Theatre keeps me on my toes (both literally and figuritavely). Performing is exhilarating, and every show gives a different kind of rush. The theatre is the only place I could be tap dancing in booty shorts while singing about blow jobs and group sex. How fun is that?!

Who do you play in Grindr the Musical?: I play Blaine, the “Straight-Acting” “Dom” Top. You know, that guy.

Tell us about Grindr the Musical: Grindr the Musical is a West Village Musical Theatre Festival short—it tells the story of Jesse, a guy discovering the gay “networking” app for the first time.

What is it like being a part of Grindr the Musical?: The experience so far has been fantastic! I went to school with one member of the cast, Brandon Timmons, but otherwise have just met the rest of the cast and creative team for the first time this month. Very similar to an encounter on Grindr, hehe, you never really know what the dynamic will be like when meeting complete strangers (especially being intimate with each other on a piece like this one) and the outcome has been great. It has been a pleasure working with other up and coming artists who have just left college conservatory programs. Each person in the cast plays a different stereotype in the Greek Chorus of Grindr men, and we’ve had a lot of fun watching these relationships play out in the world of song and dance.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?:
Musical Theater is my passion. It’s hard to pick just one style because I love Dreamgirls as much as I love Carousel or A Little Night Music or A Chorus Line. I’m a sucker for great music and choreography. This might sound cheesy, but my BoCo Class of 2013. It is actually crazy to watch such talented people from day one get better and better at their craft over the course of four years. I was inspired watching them become these incredible storytellers, and I am inspired watching them succeed continuously a year out of school. I really trusted my classmates to call me out on my shit and push me to be the best singer, dancer, and actor I could be.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: I played Billy Bigelow in Carousel when I was in high school-- I would love to play the role again in about 10 years (when I’m a little more age appropriate).

What’s your favorite showtune?: Is this a trick question? How can anybody choose just one?!

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I would sell my soul to the devil to dance for Rob Ashford.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: You know, I haven’t thought much about a bio-film, but my brother, Dylan Shubert (CCM 2015), and I will definitely be putting up our revue “Shubert on Shubert at the Shubert” in the near future. Check Ticketmaster for details.

What show have you recommended to your friends?:
Rocky Broadway. How could you not be entertained by sweaty shirtless men beating each other up, a beautiful love story, a set unlike anything Broadway has seen before, and a kick-ass Ahrens and Flaherty score?

What’s the most played song on your iTunes?:
Does the entire Ella Fitzgerald Complete Collection count?

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Candy and Coffee. I just can’t help myself.

What’s up next?:
Grindr the Musical, of course! Check out our website for ticket info-- www.grindrmusical.com