The following interviews are from the cast of Anastasia, and they are designed to give you more insight into the characters, the people who play them, and the plot of the show itself. The interviewees are Helena Badiali (Anya), Sean Semanoff (Vlad), Santiago Zarate Martinez (Dmitry), Dylan Hargrove (Gleb), and Amanda Garvey (Lily).
Helena Badiali (Grade 12, Anya)
How did you first get into the performing arts?
I started musical theater when I was in third grade because my mom saw that there was a community theatre production of Annie. We auditioned and actually ended up doing the show together. It was really fun.
What were the preparations you took before the audition for Anastasia?
I have listened to the soundtrack for months. I just kind of know the soundtrack really well, and I watched the movie and musical. I really just love this show.
Do you have a method for memorizing lines?
Sometimes, and sometimes not. I like to just read through the script multiple times, and sometimes I will memorize it and use a piece of paper to cover people’s lines and just go down the list as I’m reading.
What is your favorite memory from being in Patriot Players?
Ooh, that’s a good question. Honestly, I just really love this cast and being in the moment with them… not really a specific moment but just being backstage with everybody is really nice.
Why should people come to see Anastasia?
It is a beautiful story that gives you everything from princesses and magic to angsty Russia.
What is your favorite musical?
My favorite musical is The Addams Family.
Describe your character in three words.
Strong, kind, and stubborn.
Sean Semanoff (Grade 11, Vlad)
How did you first get into the performing arts?
My dad is a filmmaker.
What preparations did you take before the audition?
Lots of stressing.
How do you go about playing Vlad?
I just like watching other people perform as Vlad and seeing how they took it, and then building my interpretation off of the story, the script, the movies, just all of it.
Do you have a method for memorizing lines?
I write every single line down a million times.
You’re present in a lot of big dance numbers. Do you have any dance experience?
Endless. Endless. I’ve been dancing since I was two in a million different places.
What is your favorite musical?
Avenue Q. It’s just perfect. It is society summed up with puppets, it’s wonderful!
Do you have any advice for new actors?
Know your worth and know what you can do, but do not let it show, because if you do, nobody likes you.
What shows do you want to do next year?
I want to do Matilda, Kinky Boots, or Fiddler on the Roof.
Why should people come see Anastasia?
Because I’m in it.
Describe your character in three words.
Charming, well-mannered, and a good time.
Santiago Zarate Martinez (Grade 11, Dmitry)
How did you first get into the performing arts?
I started in seventh grade with Freaky Friday, but ever since I was little I’ve known I liked singing and acting, so it was a decision I took early on, and I just stuck with it.
What preparations did you take before the audition?
Before the audition I made sure I listened to all the practice tracks. I made sure I knew my lines for any acting auditions we were going to do and just made sure I really got in character and watched some YouTube videos of the show.
How do you go about playing Dmitry?
Dmitry is a very rugged, scrappy character that grew up on the streets and kind of knows his way around. He also has this bright side to him and is very optimistic.
What shows would you like to do next year?
It’d be fun to do Phantom of the Opera, but I think I will be fine with anything.
What is your favorite performance that you have done?
My favorite performance so far is either Marius in Les Misérables or when I played Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
What is your favorite aspect of musical theatre?
My favorite aspect is definitely when you sing a song but also have to act it out because I think it’s very interesting when you mix both aspects together. Instead of having it just sound like a song, there’s emotion and tension.
Why should people come see Anastasia?
People should come see Anastasia because the whole cast and crew have put so much effort into this show, and it’s really going to be great. We always set the bar really high with our spring shows and I think that this one exceeds it.
Describe your character in three words.
Scrappy, optimistic, and bright.
Dylan Hargrove (Grade 11, Gleb)
How did you first get into the performing arts?
I first became interested in eighth grade, when a lot of my friends were participating in the musical. I had heard about it, and I was like, “Eh, this isn’t really for me.” I didn’t think I would enjoy it. I had a little social anxiety, so I didn’t feel like doing all that. They did eventually convince me to join and that year we did You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. It was fun, and it was a really good experience. When I auditioned, I found myself not being as bothered by it as I thought I would be.
What is your favorite aspect of musical theater?
I really love being an actor. I love singing as well, and it’s a lot of fun to sing, but acting is just by far my favorite part of everything. I like dancing, I’m just not very good at it.
What is your favorite thing about being in Patriot Players?
I would say the quality. It really is nice. A lot of people hear about the schedules we have and how much time we put into it, but honestly it really does make such a difference. The directors truly care, and they pour a lot of their personal time and effort into making us the best we can be. It results in an amazing product.
What preparations did you take before the audition?
When I found out last year that we were doing Anastasia this year, I started listening to the soundtrack almost immediately, and I instantly became engrossed in Gleb’s character. I learned all of his songs very quickly. I had seen productions of Anastasia (totally legally), and I really just dove into it, and in the weeks before the audition I spent time perfecting my pitch and making the right choices acting-wise with the right inflection for certain lines.
What show(s) would you like to do next year?
The Phantom of the Opera. Come on.
What is your favorite musical?
Sweeny Todd. Sondheim is just such a good writer. The music is fantastic, the acting is fantastic, and I love the story. It was also the first show that I saw on Broadway, and it kind of opened my eyes to just how deep the musical theater rabbit hole goes.
Why should people come see Anastasia?
There’s always the baseline answers of “Oh, it’s really good” or “The story is really good”. I think this is such a fun show, but it’s also the music. I love the music of this show so much, and there’s a lot of things to pick up on and digest. It makes you think once it’s done. I also think it’s nice to indulge in fantasy and think about what could have been. That’s what the show is literally about. It’s a theoretical for what could have happened.
Describe your character with three words.
I would say, iron-willed, torn, and misguided.
Amanda Garvey (Grade 12, Lily)
How did you first get into the performing arts?
I have done theater since I was in elementary school in my fifth-grade musical, Alice in Wonderland. I’ve done every show in my school since then, and I’ve done plenty of summer shows.
What preparations did you take before the audition?
I usually like to be by myself, to just kind of control my nerves. I go over my lines and my songs to make sure I have everything memorized (because sometimes I don’t).
Do you have a certain method for memorizing lines?
If I have a lot of lines to learn, like a really large monologue, I will write them all by hand and I will just go over them and say them a million times in my head and out loud without looking at my script or my notebook.
How do you go about playing Countess Lily?
I try to tap into her fun energy, bring the dancing. I love her songs, it’s just all so exciting.
You’re present in a lot of big dance numbers. Do you have dance experience?
I have been doing musical theatre dance since I was in middle school, but I used to be a cheerleader, I of course did ballet as a child, and I even tried Irish dance a while back.
What is your favorite musical?
Les Misérables. I really love the story. I’m a huge history nerd, so I love the history behind it. The music is awesome.
Describe your character with three words.
Outgoing, funny, and sparkly.
Quickly get tickets to see Anastasia this weekend before they sell out. We’ve all worked so hard on this show and would love you to see the talent and love we have put into this performance!
