Madison native and Middleton Players Theatre veteran Trevor Bass will be playing Tateh in our upcoming production of Ragtime. We asked him to answer a few questions about what it’s like to bring Tateh to life on stage, what some of his favorite theatre memories are, and what show he loves to marathon.
Have you done a show with Middleton Players Theatre before?
Yes, this is my 10th show with Middleton. The strong sense of community, friendships, and great production value are what keep me coming back.
What do you enjoy about Tateh? Are there any challenging aspects of his character to portray?
I enjoy Tateh’s passion, his belief in himself, and his conscience. He is a very good person. His emotional journey in this show is drastic and cathartic, and it is a challenge to put myself in the shoes of a struggling immigrant. Portraying his struggles and triumphs in the face of absolute adversity has been one of my greatest acting challenges, and I look forward to bringing that to our audiences!
What is your favorite part of the rehearsal process?
I love the creative environment. Being given the opportunity to experiment, and being told clearly what works well and what doesn’t is very fun to me. Rehearsals are also great because I love spending time with other people who are passionate about musical theatre.
What would you like audiences to know about this show?
This show has stunning relevance to our current climate, and incredibly powerful subject matter. Our cast feels these things deeply, and will tell the story beautifully. This show gives a glimpse into the past, reminding us where America has been, and that we should learn from that.
What is your favorite theatre memory?
My return to theatre in the form of Middleton Player Theatre’s Les Miserables. It was my first show since before going to college, and the friendships I formed in that show have lasted and grown ever since.
What is your favorite Broadway musical?
The answer is different depending on the day, but currently I’d say Falsettos.
What do you eat/drink before/after doing a show?
Before a show I tend to eat lightly and mildly—with the exception of that one time I ate Taco Bell (REGRET)—so that usually means a sandwich and plenty of water. It’s only water during, and then a drink with my castmates after!
What musical theatre song do you shamelessly belt out?
My brother and I do a mean duet of Defying Gravity.
BONUS: Give us a fun fact about yourself!
Fun fact: I watch The Office almost every day. My wife Mari and I are fully addicted. We’ve watched the entire series more times than I can remember. The day they take it off of Netflix will be a sad day in the Bass household.
Don’t miss your chance to come see Trevor in our upcoming production of Ragtime! Performances are August 10-13 at the Middleton Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased here.