Interview with Actor: Gideon Glick

Education dramaturg Ted Sod speaks with actor Gideon Glick about his role as Jordan inSignificant Other.

Ted Sod: Tell us about yourself. Where were you born and educated? When and how did you realize you wanted to become an actor? Did you have any teachers who had a profound influence on you?

Gideon Glick: I was born in a suburb outside of Philadelphia called Lower Merion. After taking many leaves of absence, I just received my BA from NYU in Art History. I initially gravitated towards singing. Acting sort of sprang out of that as a means to participate in musicals. Growing up, I had a singing teacher who was an amazing champion of mine who helped build up my confidence, and I also count my therapist as one of the best teachers that I've ever had.

TS: Why did you choose to play the role of Jordan in Significant Other? How do you collaborate with a playwright and director on a world premiere?

GG: It's always the role that initially excites me most about a play. The character is my first way of entry. This is the first time in almost a decade that I'm playing a character that is close to my age. Because of that, and because of my similarities to Jordan, I feel very close to this character instinctively, which is exciting.

In terms of collaboration, working on a new piece is always thrilling, as I'm sure most people would say, because the playwright is in the room and the piece itself evolves in response to what is happening in the room. It's a lucky circumstance when you get to usher in new work, because you are able to ask the playwright and the director (who in a new work is always in dialogue with the playwright) an unlimited amount of questions.

TS: What do you think Significant Other is about? Does the play have personal resonance for you and, if so, how?

GG: The show follows Jordan as he begins to feel left behind by his friends as they mature into adult relationships with their respective partners. Consequently, the play reflects on the fears of living alone, dying alone, and being forgotten. Josh has written a very believable and contemporary character that I identify with and I believe others will, too. As a gay, neurotic Jew in his late 20s, I feel pretty akin to Jordan and what he is going through.

TS: How do you see the relationships between Jordan and the four women in his life: Laura, Vanessa, Kiki, and Helene? Do you think Jordan gets different needs met from each woman?

GG: Jordan relates to his three gal pals in different ways, ergo he gets different needs met through each friend. Since Helene is his grandmother, it's hard to compare their bond to that of his friends. However, all four women are integral in how Jordan defines his life, either through comparison, or the feedback that he so greatly relies on.

Gideon Glick and Lindasay Mendez in rehearsal. Photo by Jenny Anderson." height="367" src="http://blog.roundabouttheatre.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LR_DSC_5567.jpg" width="552" />

Gideon Glick and Lindasay Mendez in rehearsal. Photo by Jenny Anderson.

TS: Do you think there is a special connection between gay men and straight women?

GG: I do. I can't think of many reasons as to why, but gay men and straight women both share an inherent attraction to men, and attraction informs a large part of human nature.

TS: Can you share a bit about your process: How do you prepare for acting in a new work? When the play is contemporary, do you have to do any research?

GG: With this play, in particular, I had to do a lot of memorization before rehearsals began. Every work brings new and different challenges. Research is always helpful, regardless of whether the play is contemporary or not. However, Empathy is the greatest tool for preparation.

TS: Your character, Jordan, is on the precipice of being 30 and seems to have strong feelings about what that means. Will turning 30 be a traumatic event for you? Do you expect it to be?

GG: I relish it. I've always believed with age comes wisdom. And I find salt and pepper hair to be very attractive.

TS: How do keep yourself inspired as an artist? Do you see the work of your peers? Travel? Read? Go to museums?

GG: All of the above! I try to see as much as I can. I think it's very important to support your friends and to stay current with what's happening. I always try to have a book on hand, traveling is an excellent way of providing perspective, and studying Art History has made going to art museums way more fun than you can imagine.

TS: What other projects are you working on besides Significant Other? Do you aspire to direct or write? Or is acting enough for you?

GG: I'm currently just working on this show. Sometimes I write, but once it's done, I usually find my writing to be so bad that I hide it somewhere and never look at it again.

TS: Do you have any advice for young people who want to be actors?

GG: Keep evolving. Keep reading plays, doing plays, but also be sure to expand your horizons as much as possible. You only have yourself to bring to your work. You are your palette, so give yourself as many colors as possible to paint with.

Significant Other begins previews May 21 at the Laura Pels Theatre. For more information and tickets, please visit our website.

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