BWW Interviews: No Day But Today with the Cast of RENT

The graduating class of Sheridan College are preparing to take the city by storm this evening, as they open their highly praised production of the beloved musical RENT at The Panasonic Theatre.  First presented last year as part of the college’s season, the show has been revamped for this new presentation in Toronto.  Featuring an age appropriate cast, the students display a youthful energy and zest for life that makes this production stand apart from others the city has seen in recent years.  Nowhere is the No Day But Today message more true than when sung by a group of young, hard working, earnest students who are still optimistic enough to believe the message behind the words.

I was fortunate enough to see the production at Sheridan last year and was blown away by the talent that I saw on stage, and thrilled when I heard it would be transferring to Toronto.  The finished product is the result of month’s of hard work, and brings together the entire graduating class (a whopping 35 students) onstage at the same time.  I sat down to speak with three of the students (Aaron Hastelow who plays Roger, Michelle Bouey who plays Mimi and Andres Sierra who plays Angel) about what the journey has been like for them so far, whether they were fans of the show before this experience, and what advice they have for the next generation:

Congratulations on the transfer to Toronto! How’s it going so far?

AH: It’s been pretty surreal, really crazy and we’re all really excited.  We’ve put a lot of solid work into the show over the last few weeks and I think we have something really exciting to share.  It’s exciting because we are the age of the characters that we are playing and it is a fresh take on the story.  We’re just trying to tell the story in the best possible way, keep it truthful and get the message across.  Plus I think it’s a really high caliber show and I’m really excited to share it with the city.

MB: It’s been really amazing.  The rehearsal process this time has been different because everything felt more natural.  I couldn’t be happier to have a second chance at it.  And I’m working with my best friend.  I’ve known Aaron since we were about eight years old and he’s literally my best friend in the whole world, so getting to do this with him has been amazing.

What’s it like having your love interest be someone you are that close to?

MB: I actually thought it would be weird but now I don’t even notice that it’s him anymore! When we’re on stage he’s Roger and not Aaron to me. 

What kinds of things have changed since the production at the college?

AS: The budget has gone up! So we’ve re-vamped the costumes which is great, I’ve got new heels and a new dress.  The set has changed as well to accommodate the Panasonic stage.  It’s weird because there’s so much more space above the stage in the Panasonic theatre but the actual stage is smaller.  It’s like taking someone who is a size 12 and trying to squeeze them into a size 6 – bit of a challenge! But it really feels like the perfect venue for the show and we think it looks great in there.

What has been your favourite part of the experience so far?

AH: I don’t know if I could choose one specific thing.  Being able to come back and revisit it and be able to have the entire graduating class take part in the production has been really exciting.  To see everyone integrated seamlessly is spectacular.  We really are like a family and now it’s like we’ve adopted 15 more people into the family.  I can’t imagine anything better. 

MB: By the time closing night came around last time everything started to feel perfect and just ‘right’, so the fact that we have another chance at it and to get to really develop the characters is a huge plus.  Also having every person in our graduating class participate is amazing.  Doing this show with people who are your best friends is incredible.  The story is ultimately about love and friendship so doing it with people I know so well has been perfect.

AS: Getting to revisit this character that I really connected with last time.  It’s so great because the show has so much to offer and bite into as an actor.  After a whole year of Sheridan and being part of another two shows since doing Rent I feel like I’ve grown so much as an actor and a performer so this is a great opportunity for me to use that.  I think people who saw the show at Sheridan are going to notice a major improvement over what it was like last year.

Were you guys fans of the production before becoming involved in this?

AH: Yeah! I had seen the show on Broadway and saw the last National Tour that Mirvish brought through Toronto, plus I was a fan of the movie.  Now doing the production I’ve grown to appreciate it so much more than before because it’s such an infectious show.  When you leave the theatre you’ve got the songs playing in your head over and over on repeat.  To be able to sing those songs and tell that story is really exciting.

MB: Yep.  Mimi has always been one of my dream roles so I was so excited when I found out.  I’ve always loved ‘pop’ musicals like Rent and Spring Awakening.  When I found out I had this role I cried because I honestly didn’t know if I could play it.  I’ve always been type cast as more of the ‘innocent’ or really sweet girl so I was really worried.  Thankfully it sunk in fast and I was able to let my pre-conceived notions go and just work on the character.  I made up my mind to make the character my own and I think I’ve done that.

AS: Rent is what got me into musical theatre.  I hadn’t seen the stage version but I saw the movie in Grade 9 with some of my friends and I remember thinking it was the best thing I had ever seen. 

What’s next for you after this show and graduation?

AH: After this production is finished I’m going to PEI to do the Charlottetown Festival so I’m going to be in a few shows there.  I’ve also just recently signed with an agency so once that Charlottetown contract ends I imagine I will be auditioning like crazy and just hoping for another opportunity like this one.  I can’t imagine anything better than to graduate and immediately be performing.  Every day it sinks in a little more and I just smile.

MB: I have no idea so far! I’m going to be auditioning and I just signed with an agency as well so that has been a great experience.  I guess just waiting to see what happens and trying to create my own projects as well.

AS: I want to focus a lot on my pop career and writing my own music.  I was in the top ten Coca Cola cover contest recently and even though I didn’t get into the top three, I’m still really excited.  I have someone who’s been waiting to help me out and I’m eager to get started on my career.  It’s been a great experience because people all over the world have been hearing my music now! I had a call from a DJ in Cincinnati who wanted to know if it was ok to play my cover on the radio! How cool is that?

Finally, now that you guys are graduating and moving on to the next stage of your life, what is your biggest piece of advice for people coming out of high school who want to pursue theatre for a living?

AH: School is one of the best ideas because you can never stop learning.  Even after school you need to keep learning.  Take a class, go to a drop in class, take whatever you can.  Never stop learning and never settle for anything less than your best.  Treat every performance like it’s a Broadway performance.  You never know who might be watching and who might see something in you.  I’ve had a lot of luck with a lot of fabulous teachers who have come my way and who I’ve sought out.  Don’t be scared to ask for help.  If there’s someone you admire and they’re in your grasp, don’t hesitate to ask them about your career.  Live the dream.

MB: I would say that you can never give up.  If this is something you want to do you have to commit 100% and put your full heart into it.  It’s not as easy as some people might think and it is a career that you really have to love.  So follow your heart and go for it.

AS: Never give up.  I’m lucky that I have had so much support and that my family has been there for me and believed in me.  I’ve known a lot of people who haven’t had that support.  If this is truly something that you love and have the passion for than do it.  But if you don’t really love it there isn’t any point.  It’s hard and it’s draining. You’re going to get rejected a lot, and you can’t take it personally.  You just have to keep trying because one day something will happen.  And love what you do!

When and Where?

RENT

The Panasonic Theatre

Performance Schedule:

Tues-Thurs 7:30PM
Fri & Sat 8:00PM
Sat & Sun 2PM

Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 416-872-1212 or online at www.mirvish.com

Student Rush:

There are a limited number of $25 rush seats available for students, in person at the box office two hours prior to each show. Cash only with valid student ID.