Archive for the ‘RENT’
Amazing Andy!
Andy Kelso Plays MARK in RENT…read on to discover what makes him rock!
I grew up in
Becoming an actor was something I stumbled upon. In 5th grade, everyone was required to be a part of the school’s Christmas show entitled Something’s Up Down in
I’ve been performing this show in the privacy of my own home and/or car ever since high school! It was the first soundtrack that I knew backwards and forwards. I immediately loved the sound of the show and couldn’t get enough. This show was and is such a huge inspiration to me and I feel so honored to finally get a chance to be in an actual production of it.
I thought seeing the movie was a bit like seeing the movie of a book you’ve read…it was interesting to see, but nowhere near as good as the real thing.
Some favorite musicals include, Billy Elliot, The Full Monty, Last Five Years, Avenue Q, and Passing Strange. Playing Mark definitely checks a dream role off the list for me. And speaking of RENT, I think it would be fun to play Roger someday. I would also love to originate a role in a show someday.
When I’m not on stage, I like discovering new music, playing guitar, hanging with friends, and exploring the rabbit hole that is
On my Ipod? A little bit of everything and a lot of rock n’ roll. I love discovering new bands and new sounds. However, some favorite bands/muscians include: Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Led Zeppelin, The Tallest Man of Earth, and
Roger Rocks!
Mark Ayesh Is a cool guy…Just the right guy to play Roger in RENT! Read on to learn a bit more about him!
I grew up in city in Kansas called Wichita. Kansas, though full of mostly rural communities, has a few "larger" cities and Wichita is one of those. I was lucky enough to attend a small high school that offered just about anything and everything in terms of extra curricular activities. At first I did the sport-thing spending almost all my time in either football, basketball, or track. My hobbies at the time were computers and being in a rock band. My goal in life was to be a computer programmer and go to MIT. Then one day my choir teacher asked me to audition for our school musical…FOOTLOOSE. That’s when it all shifted gears. Getting to sing rock’n roll music and dancing (which turned out to be a lot harder than football ever was) on stage in front of hundreds of people was unbelievable. Thus, I caught ‘the bug’. I tried to continue playing football while taking dance classes but at one point late in high school I finally decided to shift my focus solely to theatre and dance. I started doing my research, found a few, select schools to apply to, and auditioned for them. I finally ended up at the University of Michigan where I studied Musical theatre. I just graduated in May, and moved straight to the city. That is about where the story ends…for now 
My high school used to take this trip once every other year to New York City to tour the city AND see 6 shows in 5 days. We didn’t sleep. On that trip I still was feeling out the whole "musical theatre world" and found myself signed up for a show called RENT. Up until that point I was pretty please with the rock’n roll, musical theatre music from FOOTLOOSE. But that didn’t hold a candle to RENT. I was blown away. Before I went to college I saw the show another 8 times on broadway. Then my junior year of college at U of M they announced we were going to be doing the show and I was in a state of shock for at least a month. I couldn’t believe my school was doing RENT. So, about 5 months before auditions I started working on the audition materials. 7 Months later I had been cast in my dream role, Roger. I have since had one other chance to reprise the role, at Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick, ME earlier this summer.
I did see the RENT movie…the day it came out…the first showing. I was as big of a RENT-head (a term describing those obsessed with the musical) as you can get for Wichita, KS. I loved seeing the original cast get a chance to capture their performances in that medium. However, I wasn’t a fan of how it was told. There are many thing/scenes that are washed over and the movie lacks the energy and the excitement that the live show brings. The recorded final Broadway performance though is amazing.
Like I said, I come from a rock’n roll background so I tend to lean towards the more contemporary works. JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, RENT, and even newer NEXT TO NORMAL. But, I do have some favorites that don’t exist in the realm of pop/rock musical theatre: 42ND STREET, COMPANY, and GUYS AND DOLLS. As for my dream role, I gotta be honest – I’m playin’ it. However, Judas in JCS is a close second.
When I’m not on stage my hobbies vary from running, to writing music, to anything computer related.
On my IPod? Jazz, Rock, and of course a lot of Show tunes
Meet Mimi!
Steena Fernandez stars as The mesmerizing Mimi in RENT. I caught up with her at rehearsal...and learned a thing or two!
I grew up in
I didn’t start acting until high school. I saw some posters advertising for Steppin Out auditions at my high school, so I went and auditioned for the show and for the drama department. I got a part in the show and enrolled in the theatre program there. After high school I went to Texas Tech University to further my studies in acting, singing and dance. Mentors include: John Gillas: voice, Dr. Johnathan Marks: acting, and Judy Gorlin: Dance.
I loved this show since college. I remember they had an open call in
I did see the movie. GREAT! Basically if it says
Mimi is one of my dream roles…so excited to finally be playing her!!!! Some favorite shows: Cats, Miss Saigon, Hair, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Moon Over
When it’s nice out, I love to ride my bike and go for a run outside. I try to go in the sun only in moderation, but I LOVE the beach and sun. Reminds me of going to
On my Ipod ..Oh I have anything from Van Halen, Johnny Cash, Coldplay: Viva La Vida one of my fav’s, Jack Johnson to Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys. Right now as I type this, I am listening to The Beatles…can NEVER go wrong with that!
RENT is due!
Mark Ayesh and Steena Hernandez will play Mimi and Roger in The Groudbreaking Musical RENT Opening AUGUST 19th!
Patti Wilcox … Back for RENT!
Patti Wilcox, the Brilliant Director/Choreographer will return to WBT to direct RENT. WBT theatre-goers may remember her outstanding directorial efforts in our Productions of Little Shop Of Horrors and Aida.I grew up in Decatur, Illinois with my parents, one sister and two Brothers. I had a great Midwestern upbringing and a wonderfully supportive Family.
It was the works of Kidd, Robbins, Fosse and countless modern choreographers that made me want to choreograph. I love the way story can be told through movement.I started out as a Choreographer and Assistant Director for a show in NYC called BLUES IN THE NIGHT. Sheldon Epps, who is a Broadway Director and was the Conceiver and Director of that show, greatly influenced the Direction of my career.I have not seen the Film version of RENT. But I had the great pleasure to be at Opening Night on Broadway (1996) And was Invited to closing night but I was, unfortunately, unable to attend. My approach to Directing this ground-breaking piece is to simply tell the story!
As a Dancer, My favorite show to dance was WEST SIDE STORY. As a Choreographer, I seem to love best whatever I am working on at the time. I would like to do KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN because the movement possibilities are just endless. And what I look forward to most would be to work on the piece that has yet to be written.
When not on Stage I enjoy being with my husband and two children. Traveling, Tennis, and we all just discovered ZIP-LINING!
What’s on my Ipod? I wouldn’t even know where to begin… About EVERYTHING!
RENT! Only 20,160 minutes away!
Tonya Thompson & Andy Kelso will appear in RENT!
You might be a RENTHEAD if…..you stand outside of your boyfriend’s /girlfriend’s window and serenade them with "Your Eyes" or… you try to relate your life to RENT, even if you live in an upper middle class neighborhood..or.. you were devastated when your drama teacher said he didn’t really like RENT . .and the only… reason you took drama was because of RENT
OPENS AUGUST 19! The Grounbreaking Musical won 4 Tony Awards as well as the Pulitzer Prize!
RENT is COMING!!
Andy Kelso and Tonya Thompson. Photo by Jennifer Edwards Kawa
RENT is due!!
August 19th!!
Andy Kelso and Tonya Thompson. Photo by Jennifer Edwards Kawa
