Ashton Siewert will be portraying Mrs. Potts in our upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast. We asked Ashton, a longtime Middleton Players Theatre participant, to share a little more about herself, what she enjoys about her character, and some of her favorite theatre memories.
What do you enjoy about your character Mrs. Potts?
Mrs. Potts is a loving and empathetic embodiment of maternal warmth. It’s a pleasure to portray a character who is not in the least bit villainous.
How do you get pumped up before a performance?
Music! I put in my earbuds and rock out to something. Right now it’s Mark Ronson’s “God Put a Smile on Your Face” because it’s spunky, and just a little bit sassy. Plus, you can pretty much just listen to it on repeat forever and never get sick of it. An absolute bundle of fun.
What do you do when you’re not performing/working in the theatre? Do you have a daytime job?
I’m a recruiter for a telecommunications company, and host pub trivia at night. I’m also wrapping up graduate school this fall. In my endless amounts of free time, I draw, play euchre, and galivant off to find my next great adventure!
What is your favorite theatre memory?
There are so many! One of the experiences that really stands out is when I saw All My Sons at APT. Theatre can be a truly magical experience, and lights, sets, and sound are often a huge part of that. But, when I saw All My Sons, it was a matinee in the outdoor theatre in broad daylight. There were no mics, no music, no lighting changes, a stagnant set, and a cast of maybe ten. Even without all of the technical aspects, the gravitas of the material and the outstanding performances were still able to completely transport me and deeply move me. It’s one of the memories that most helps me to appreciate how affecting live performance can be.
Who is your greatest musical theatre inspiration and why?
There are many, but I think the performer who inspired me to grow the most is Marin Mazzie. I was immediately taken with her supremely beautiful voice when I first heard her.
Do you have any special/hidden talents, or other fun facts?
My chicken cluck is pretty uncanny...
What do you want people to think about as they leave the show?
I hope that people will think about how inspiring and enjoyable live theatre is, and continue to support both the arts and MPT!
Where can people go to learn more about you and your projects?
Follow the Middleton Players Facebook page! Chances are I’m buried in an MPT project. Next up, I’ll be co-directing Parade alongside Thomas J. Kasdorf.
Don’t miss your chance to see Ashton in our upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast! Performances are August 8-11 at the Middleton Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at www.middletonplayers.com/tickets.