Interview: CAMP MORNING WODD Cast Members Bare It All. PART TWO: Prince Alex

PRISM Theatre Company's debut production, CAMP MORNING WOOD, plays its final weekend in Palm Springs with just four more performances remaining before the campfire goes out. The show’s premise is about seven characters navigating their inhibitions in the judgement-free, clothing-optional environment of Camp “Morning Wood”. It is far from an evening a high-art or thought provoking theatre but, if you just want to let go of the cerebral and give in to a mindless romp with a wonderfully engaging cast, CAMP MORNING WOOD is the ticket. I had the chance to catch up with Prince Alex, the actor who plays the musical’s adorable and sexy antagonist, Kincaid, prior to a recent matinee performanceHere are a few excerpts from the conversation:

DG: So, tell me about you. Where are you from and how did you move into the world of the theatre?

PA: Yeah. So, I grew up in LA, like South Bay area, San Pedro. I actually went to, undergrad, at USC. That was the first time I ever took a dance class. And I kinda fell in love with it and it just became a part of my day-to-day life. In regards to theatre work – (he laughs)  -- this is actually my first musical ever.

DG: So, you’re primarily a dancer?

PA: Yes. Primarily a dancer. I dance gigs here and there. Back-up dancing, go-go dancing. I’ve never done a musical before, let alone theatre productions. I’ve done dance productions in college. That’s the most “theatre equivalent” experience I’ve had. This actually a whirlwind to get thrown into – to learn how to dance and sing at the same time and also throw acting into it.

DG: And, did you catch the theatre bug?

PA: I did, actually. I’ve been getting introduced to more and more musicals. Leo’s (Leo Ayala, his boyfriend who plays the leading role in Camp Morning Wood) been introducing me to the theatre world and he takes me to see some Broadway productions at the Pantages every now and again. I’m definitely catching the bug. I think now that I’ve been able to sing with everyone in the cast, its’ been such a fun experience. And I definitely enjoy being in the spotlight. (he laughs)

DG: Is this your career of choice now? Is this what you will pursue?

PA: I definitely want to lean more into speaking roles. Whether that’s musical theatre of just acting in general. I do want to, definitely, take this more seriously and maybe get some vocal lessons in and start auditioning for some acting roles. So far, it has been mostly dancing  opportunities and jobs,  but this play has definitely opened my eyes to what I’m capable of doing. Especially working with such an amazing cast. Everyone helps me so much in regards to learning how to read music and how to follow along with melodies and harmonies and all of that nonsense. I’ll never forget during one of our very first rehearsals we were all sitting with the music coach and they were asking “do you want to sing the melody  or the harmony or da-da-da..” and I had no idea what any of that meant. “You guys tell me, cause I’m just gonna sing it however I think we’re supposed to sing  it and let me know whert I land on the scale – the whole baritone and tenor and all that was very new to me. So it was kinda figuring out what my voice sounded like. Luckily in the actual show my tracks are pre-recorded so I’m actually just singing along with them – I’m still singing live, it’s just easier to hear my voice singing with me on the track. So, not like fully lip-syncing but not having to worry about where I am in the song because I can hear myself on the track.

DG: How did you get involved in the production?

PA: That’s a very funny story, because Leo was hired to choreograph the show and I just happened to show up tp the first rehearsal because I was picking him up – we were carpooling --  and he was running a little bit behind so I kinda just stepped in for the last couple of minutes. I think they were rehearsing the BBC number at that time, or something. And I was like, this looks crazy. (he laughs) Yeah, and then as we were leaving, Lance, the director, stopped us and said “I have this role I think you’d look great in. I just need to know if you can sing and act”. I said I could try. So, the next day I auditioned and he really liked it so I ended up booking the role. It’s a fun role. It’s definitely a very good “premiere” role to do in musical theatre .

DG: Do you enjoy playing one of the villains in the story?

PA: Yeah. It’s so fun. I always think that in film, tv, theatre – I think playing the villain is such a fun time. I don’t get to do it often because I’m such a nice person. (he laughs) But, I do like how I get to play this character because it can be played very bitchy, very mean – and I think I give it a more nuanced – with my smile – it’s much more like “oh, he’s so nice and cute, he’s just a little dumb and that’s why he’s mean”. I try to play it so I’m a more likeable villain that people can love to hate – at the same time they’re like, oh he’s just so adorable. (he laughs)

DG: Did you have any second thoughts about the nudity aspect of the show?

PA: Not necessarily. I think for me it was definitely an easier transition just because I’m already used to dancing with such little clothing on a regular basis – for me, removing my underwear it was just a natural next step. I mean, obviously I’m not just naked all the time, but (he laughs) – I didn’t mind that being a part of the show.

DG: What do you notice about the audience reacting to you on stage?

PA: I can tell they love me when I start off. And by the second act they hate me. (he laughs) Especially in my second number there definitely a lot of lyrics that are mean – I have a line where I literally tell Randy he’s a “4” and I’m a “10”, and that’s so mean. Everyone at the end of that number just hates me. There was one time when I ended that number and the whole crowd stage right, right next to me, just booed me. And, I was like -- that was my first ever boo. I’ve never been booed before.  Naturally I was in tears. (he laughs) But that was fun to be able  -- that I was able to play the character and convince people not to like me. Because, I don’t know – it’s very opposite of who I am as a person day-to-day. It’s very fun to have that reaction.

DG: If your career were to go the way you want it to go – where do you want it to go??

PA: I would love to move probably more into film and tv. I do love the more flexibility of being in front of the camera in regards to – just like re-doing scenes and also being more able to adlibs and stuff like that. Whereas in theatre world it is a lot more about memorizing  -- not straight memorizing, but definitely you have to know your lines in a certain way and there’s no do-overs – as soon as you say something, that’s it. Everyone heard it. I think that is something I had to get accustomed to because I’m not used to – anything I’d spoken before, it’s been in front of a camera. So, you always get to re-take. And so being on stage I had to learn  how to go with it and if someone messes up, or I mess up, you just push forward  and go along with it. If someone in the audience throws you off, you play along with that. Yeah, so, I would love to move forward into film and tv acting. In regards to musical theatre I would love to move forward with that too. I would love to take some vocal lessons to feel more confident in that aspect of things.

DG: What is your favorite professional accomplishment so far?

PA: Oooh. That’s a good one. (he thinks) I want to say, probably, definitely  -- I mean, I’ve performed with a lot of drag queens, but I did perform – she’s a local queen named Angel – but, we did the Twitch convention in San Diego which was a big convention for the Twitch streaming site – and it was just me and another friend back-up dancing – and it was such a huge crowd and live streamed and there were just so many people watching  -- I’ve never done something that was not only just a huge crowd in person but also virtually. I feel like that was a moment where I’m like – oh, I’m meant to be on the big stage. It’s been a fun ride for sure.