Names of the Dead
nytheatre.com q&a preview by Michael Neithardt
July 10, 2012
What is your job on this show?
Actor and Producer.
What type of theater do you like most to work on?
I like to work on theater that forces me to explore different aspects of myself. When looking for a role, I lean towards the ones that take me on the more difficult journey. I need to challenge and be truthful to myself. That is the only way I will be able to connect the story to the audience. An actor's responsibility is to share a piece of their soul with the viewer.
If you're a New Yorker: why is FringeNYC an important part of the summer theater scene?
The FringeNYC is an incredible opportunity for theatergoers to see the pool of talent that is both here in New York City and around the world. Some of the best Playwrights, Actors and Directors are hidden in classrooms and small out of the way theaters all year round. This brings them to a larger audience. It gives talented artists the opportunity to let everyone know they are here and they need to be heard.
Do you think the audience will talk about your show for 5 minutes, an hour, or way into the wee hours of the night?
If we do our job, they will think about it in the wee hours of the night. Most of us can't imagine the psychological damage that war brings to an individual. We have too much comfort here at home. As the play states, 'Everything is so safe here. We are so spoiled.' Jared, the main character, can only dream of home feeling safe. For him, the damage of war on his mind is done. There is a little of Jared in all of us and we need to be aware of just how fragile the human mind is.
People who like which of the following recent Broadway shows would also probably like your show: THE BOOK OF MORMON, ONCE, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, CLYBOURNE PARK?
People who liked 'Death of a Salesman' and 'Clybourne Park' would gravitate to this play. It explores family and social issues and gives us the gift of seeing a person in their most private moments.
Why should people come to FringeNYC this summer, rather than the beach, mountains, or the latest movie blockbuster?
Well, they should find a way to do both. Come to the FringeNYC, see a bunch of shows and hopefully they will not only learn something about life, but also about themselves. Then they can think about it as they swim or bike in the mountains! And forget the summer blockbusters, wait for the great movies to come this fall.
