One of the main goals
for our Theatre Education Community is to help theatre students and
professionals from all over connect and identify with each other in order to
build resources and support the theatre education field. We shine a spotlight
on a different member every other week by conducting a simple interview.
Our latest Spotlight
Member is Alex Minton, a senior at Millard West High School in Omaha, NE. Alex serves
as the Chair of the International Thespian Officers. He is also a Thespian
member of Troupe 5483 and a frequent contributor to the Community (demonstrated
by the Gold MVM ribbon on his profile!). Alex is always willing to share unique
ideas and his experiences as a theatre student with others. He was also a
valuable addition to the group that helped us beta test the Community before we
launched to the public. I asked Alex to answer a few questions for us so we
could learn a little more about him.
Photograph
by Kate Ali, Your Shot
Ginny: Why do you believe
theatre is important?
Alex: I believe theatre encompasses
essential life skills: confidence, creativity, and teamwork. I have found that
confidence is the key to a successful meeting, presentation, self attitude and
the list goes on and on. Theatre builds confidence in students by praising
their strengths and improving the weaknesses. I have been involved with theatre
for 10 years and have been exposed to countless creative individuals. Whether
it was my elementary school directors, or a prop mom at my high school, the
creativity they possess and the solutions/ideas they bring to life are
outstanding. Finally, theatre forces an individual (whether they like it or
not) to be a part of a team. In order for a set to be built there has to be a
crew, just as in order for a set to have meaning, actors have to tell a story.
I have been in many team situations and have found myself working well and
productively with others because of my background in theatre.
Ginny: Any tips for students
considering auditioning for their first play?
Alex: First off, do not be scared.
I know exactly how you feel, and so do a dozen other kids in your school--you
are not alone! To this day, I still get nervous before an audition, it is
completely natural. My biggest tip for your first audition (and any
audition) is to give your all. No matter the character, no matter the scene, no
matter who is watching, if you walk out there and give your performance
everything you have, then you tried your absolute best, and you should be proud
of it. If you don't get cast right away, do not be discouraged because
there are some roles that are made for you, and some that are not. In fact, if
I do not get cast, then I will help out backstage to gain some experience.
I know you will do great and break a leg!
Ginny: Do you have a funny or
moving theatre story (prop/costume mishap, a cast bonding moment, etc)?
Alex: It was the Sunday matinee of
my fall show, sophomore year, and we were finishing Act I of Noises Off. For those of you that aren't
familiar with this farce, the set is a two story house with three doors on top
and four on the bottom (and the characters love plates of sardines). My
character, Freddy, was walking through one of the downstairs doors and I
slammed it on a hard plastic plate (the kind where the label reads
"indestructible"), and shattered it. That was not all, because the
force of the slam caused the door frame to fall off and crash on stage. I guess
I decided to start strike early that day.
Ginny: Name something on your
bucket list.
Alex: I have always wanted to see
the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in person, because I never wake up in time
to watch it all on TV.
Ginny: What is something we
would be surprised to learn about you?
Alex: I have a twin sister, Mikki,
and for our tenth birthday party at our local zoo, my grandma and grandpa
bought us a puffin (basically it is a penguin that looks like a bird). So
technically, I own a puffin.
Ginny: Do you have any
hobbies or interests outside of theatre?
Alex: When I have the time, I like
to read and watch TV. My favorite types of books to read are fiction with some
futuristic or fantasy element to it. Specifically, I would probably go with
Divergent or The Fault in Our Stars. When it comes to TV I have a weekly
schedule that drives the storage on my TV, and my parents, crazy. My favorites
would have to be Revenge, Once Upon A Time, American Horror Story, Modern
Family, Shark Tank, and Pretty Little Liars.
There you have it-the proud owner of a
puffin, master of the DVR and an actor who isn’t afraid to dive into the tech
side! It’s obvious that Alex has a bright future ahead of him. If you enjoyed Alex’s
interview, add him as a contact in the Community!