Collegiate Theatrics: University of Memphis' CODY RUTLEDGE

To know Cody Rutledge is to love him - and to be awestruck by his tremendous talents: He practically grew up on stages in Middle Tennessee, performing at Woodbury's Arts Center of Cannon County (we first saw him onstage as Sonny in Xanadu), designing sets for Circle Players, VWA Theatricals (yep, he's the man responsible for that gorgeous Last Five Years set for the production we directed last summer), ACCC and Murfreesboro's Center for the Arts, and he interned at Crossville's Cumberland County Playhouse...and he's still an undergrad - now at the University of Memphis, after a couple of years at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. And he opens this weekend in the role of Jack (of ...And The Beanstalk fame in Theatre Memphis' production of Stephen Sondheim's In The Woods)...

A 2013 First Night Most Promising Actor, he's performed at The First Night Honors several times and is very much considered part of the First Night family. Cody Rutledge has a huge heart, to be certain, and his stage presence is unparalleled.

Whew! We need a vacation already, so you can only imagine how Cody, the guy with the enormous heart and brilliant imagination must feel! So, here's some quick and sage advice for you: Buy yourself some Cody Rutledge stock and watch its value increase, even as his reputation as both an actor and as a scenic designer continues to grow.

In the meantime, get to know him better as he thoughtfully considers - and confidently answers - our Collegiate Theatrics questions:

Has your college career proven to be what you expected? What was it like? Long, to be honest. (laughing on outside, but dying on the inside). But seriously, I think it's going spectacular, I'm currently in my fifth year of college, and will graduate next year making a total of six years for my Undergrad. This is due to pursuing a B.F.A. in Theatre with a double emphasis in Musical Theatre and Scenic Design and also because I transferred my fourth year of School from MTSUto the University of Memphis. So definitely a long process, but super rewarding. You would be surprised at what you learn in five years in theatre classes at two different colleges.

What's been the best part of studying at MTSU and U of M? I think my favorite part of studying at school is actually competition. The fact that you are constantly surrounded by talented colleagues in design and musical theatre pushes you to be the best you can be. I mean you see that if you slack off a little, someone is going to replace you. Especially when you see people working harder than you. So the fact that the drive is always there and you are constantly in this environment surrounded by people who love theatre assures you whether you are in the right career or not. And I'm proud to say I am.

Have your dreams and aspirations changed since you started? Any goals shifted? I wouldn't necessarily say changed. I would say expanded. College has laid out before me so many more options for the future that I hadn't thought of. I would love to say I'm going to be on the Broadway or designing a show on the great white way, I would say that is a goal to work to.

My future plans right now is to make it through school, work professionally for a two years before going back for Grad school to get my M.F.A. in Scenic Design. If something happens like a national tour or something grand then by all means I think my plans will change, but for now I take it one day at a time to see what adventure lies me next.

So what's next on your agenda? Anything especially noteworthy looming on the horizon? My final year for Undergrad is around the corner, filled with a fantastic season that includes Little Shop of Horrors and Spring Awakening. I couldn't think of a better season of musicals to go out on. Also I will be designing for our next season next year which will be my first real design show in Memphis. And finally, well, graduation. Yeah, the fact that the real world is coming up is scary. I'm more than ready though to take on this challenge.

What words of wisdom would you share with someone younger who is considering following the same path as you? Oh I wish I had all of them in a room to talk to them all at once. I've worked so many college auditions, and Governor school auditions that I just would like to say to them: Know if you should wear three-inch heels to an audition or not. It gets bad after 300 people. Get your rep together now. Colleges are looking for you to be professional now and I see so many students go in without knowing what a rep is. Figure out the correct way to audition and talk to your accompanist. And finally... don't rush into any decisions to hasty. Colleges shouldn't pressure you into making your decision for their program. There's plenty of time to fill out what program you fit best. Just remember that.