Oracle Online

O: What is Summer School about? What do you play in it?

TC: I play the annoying friend of the main character. His character shows up for summer school. No one is there so he ends up falling asleep. It’s a series of dreams that lead him through the first day of summer school.

O: What was your favorite scene?

TC: My favorite scene was when I got to play a vampire. I love vampires. I think they’re sweet. Getting to play one was like a dream come true and then I get killed. It was by a stake through the heart. Actually, I was stabbed with a broken ruler through the heart which was awesome.

O: So how long did it take to make the film?

TC: We filmed seven or eight weekends in the summer and they edited it for like five months. We had a screening of it a week and a half ago and they pulled an all-nighter to finish up all the editing because it still wasn’t fully edited.

O: How long was the acting process?

TC: I was there for five of the seven weekends. We would shoot Friday night, Saturday pretty much all day, and Sunday for the first couple of hours of the day because it was filmed in Eau Claire. Except for the vampire nights, we actually started filming at 11 p.m. and went until 7 a.m. at sunrise. It really messes with your sleep schedule, but in a good way.

O: I hear you are in Jesus Christ Superstar. What part do you play?

TC: I play the part of Annas. He’s one of the bad guys that get to kill Jesus. We all play several characters, except for Jesus and Judas. The only thing I have to say is, I play Little Bo Peep. I’m not going to say anymore, just come to the show.

O: So, how is this production of Superstar any different from other shows?

TC: Well, Barbe Marshall, the director, is modernizing it. The show is very tech heavy and stylized. My character, Annas, is part of the Sanhedrin, the evil guys, and we get to do a chair dance. Jesus is an actual rock star and the show has a lot of great bodies. A lot of men take off their shirts. Judas, who’s played by Patrick Rieger, it’s worth it just to see him rise out of the floor in the opening sequence. I was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

O: Are there any interesting things you have learned about the other people you are working with?

TC: I know there are a few self-conscious people in the cast at first, but everyone has bonded. We’ve started to work as a group instead of individuals acting together. You’re able to feed off people’s energy. This is my first main stage play at Hamline and it’s cool to work with the other actors.

O: This being your first big show at Hamline, are you apprehensive?

TC: At first I was really nervous, but Barbe scheduled meetings with the cast in half-hour blocks to talk with us. She helped us every chance she got. Everyone, including myself, is really excited. High energy, lights everywhere, the band is awesome. It’ll blow your mind.

O: Band?

TC: Yeah, instead of an orchestra, there’ll be a live band onstage. It completes the rock band atmosphere. The band has electric guitar, bass, drums, a piano, a keyboard and an electric acoustic guitar. We’ve only had two rehearsals with the band so far, but they sound great. If I were in the audience I would be rockin’ out.

O: Give me one reason why people should go to see Jesus Chirst Superstar.

TC: And I suppose, “I’m in it” isn’t a good answer? [Laughs] Between live music, the scenery, and the phenomenal actors, there is not a weak point. It’ll be a spectacle. Be careful, you might cry. I mean, we all know what happens at the end, and Barbe has stylized it. It’s still so hard for me not to cry onstage.

O: Do you think that non-Christian people will find this performance interesting?

TC: I think so. I mean, it’s obviously a religious subject, but Barbe is focusing on this being entertaining, not solely a religious piece. We want people to walk out of the theater thinking it was a good time.