BWW Interviews: TUTS Performers Matthew and Michelle Smith Talk Dancing, Singing and BRING IT ON

In this interview, BWW talks with singing, dancing brother and sister duo Matthew and Michelle Smith about the high-flying, high octane dance musical, BRING IT ON.

BWW: What are your roles in the production?

Matthew Smith: I'm the dance captain, and I'm also in the male ensemble. As the dance captain, I assist the choreographer Ms. Shay, Shay Rodgers, with whatever she needs. So, if she needs us to clean up a routine, we come up with new movement.

Michelle Smith: I'm in the Jackson ensemble.

BWW: Why do you think Houston audiences should see the production?

Matthew Smith: The story. Campbell is a senior who has just become captain of the Truman cheerleading squad and Eva, the villain in the show, gets her redistricted to Jackson High School, which is a completely different field. It's more urban, more hip-hop, [Pauses] more street. So, Campbell is trying to find her way in life and who she really is. This is a great show for people who are trying to find their way in life. Don't give up. Don't follow someone else's dreams. Be who you want to be.

Michelle Smith: I also think that this production shows you that it's not all about winning. If you have people that you love all around you, you'll be just fine.

BWW: Both good lessons to learn. What was it like learning different dance styles for BRING IT ON?

Michelle Smith: It was pretty difficult, because there are so many different elements that go into learning different styles, but with hard work it can be done.

Matthew Smith: And, we're dancers already, so it comes naturally. The dancing is really awesome. It's a lot of cardio. It's whipping us into shape, but it's really good.

BWW: I'm interested to know, since it's a really energetic show, how did you guys prepare? How do you keep up that energy throughout a 2-hour-long show?

Michelle Smith: Working out and jumping rope! [I Laugh]

Matthew Smith: The gym helps.

BWW: How much working out did you have to do?

Matthew Smith: I would probably work out three days a week, before rehearsal, just to keep my stamina up, because the show is just so high energy and athletic.

Michelle Smith: An hour each day, three days a week.

BWW: You guys are making me feel bad. I haven't worked out in a month! I'm a writer, so I don't have to be fit. [Michelle and Matthew Laugh] Piggybacking on your answer, how do you sing and dance at the same time? I assume that would be hard.

Matthew Smith: Ms. Shay usually choreographs breaths. There are sections where we go full out, then we have parts, like the emotional parts, where we can chill out and breath. And, we're required to do it, so we kind of just do it. As a part of musical theatre, you have to sing and dance at the same time, so we're accustomed to it.

BWW: Yes, you were both trained at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). How do you think that has prepared you for the production?

Matthew Smith: Going to HSPVA helps with discipline and knowing what to do in a theatre setting. We do concert dance, ballet, modern, jazz. Then at TUTS the choreography has a hip-hop, jazz, funk feel.

BWW: You've both worked with TUTS several times. What's the best part of this collaboration?

Matthew Smith: TUTS is really professional. It teaches us how it really is and how it will be in the real world, like in New York. The foundation that they give us is great. When I leave TUTS, and I go to an audition or a class, I will be prepared and know what to expect. They teach us real life lessons.

Michelle Smith: I feel like they have a heart and passion for giving kids training and opportunities for what they want to do in theatre.

BWW: Matthew, you're graduating this year, correct?

Matthew Smith: Yes, ma'am.

BWW: What are your plans after you graduate?

Matthew Smith: I want to go to the Relativity School in Los Angeles, California to major in commercial dance and musical theatre.

BWW: Michelle, you're a couple of years from graduating. Still, what is your eventual goal?

Michelle Smith: My goal is to be on Broadway.

BWW: What is the most important lesson you have learned from Ms. Shay (Shay Rodgers)?

Matthew Smith: Not to give up, and not to let anyone tell you that you can't do something.

Michelle Smith: I would say the most important thing she has taught us is to stay professional in any situation and to persevere.

Good advice.

Theatre Under The Stars' (TUTS) Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT) production of BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL runs Sept. 12-14 at Zilkha Hall (The Hobby Center). On Sept. 12 and 13, shows are at 7:30 pm. On Sept. 13 and 14 shows are at 1:30 pm.

Tickets (starting at $24) are available online at TUTS.com/BringItOn, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS(8887), outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, located at 800 Bagby at Walker, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special offers are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.

Photos courtesy of TUTS.

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