The last two months or so, I was taken on a whirlwind of a production known as American Idiot, and it has quite literally consumed all my time. There were a lot of bumps on the road to get to opening night but we are taking the proverbial bus to get out of town. American Idiot is being produced by Bellissima Productions, a still relatively new company, but one that is making headway into becoming a force to contend with.
With losing the initial space we were meant to have, rescheduling the show to a later time in the year, and honestly a few re-casts because of having to move the show, the process was not necessarily smooth at all times. But this cast was tenacious, chaotic, and such hard workers. The transformation I have seen as an ensemble member of the cast over our tech week has been creatively, physically, and emotionally draining. But at the same time, this show has honestly really grown into one I have come to love, and I have learned so much about myself within the past six to eight weeks of being a part of this production process.
Of course, I am a biased voice as a part of the cast, so whether I say this is a good show or not should be taken with a grain of salt. All I can truly say is this cast worked their asses off ( excuse my language) and pulled this shit together into a really fun and enjoyable show. The Bellissima Management team is very easy and enjoyable to work with ( this is my first production with Bellissima) and you can tell that everyone cares about what they do here. As I was coming into our final rehearsal yesterday, I had set out with a goal: to get the inside scoop of some of the key performers in the show.
As a dancer and actor myself, one of the people I was most looking forward to talking with was, of course, Oliver Ball, the choreographer for our show, as well as a featured ensemble member.
Me: What was your favorite part of the show, or your favorite part of this process?
Oliver: Discovering myself as a choreographer, which informs my craft as an actor and vice versa. It has been thrilling, because this is the first time I've been able to choreograph for a show. I've choreographed for classes and one off combos for myself, but this is my first time choreographing an entire show.
What was the most challenging part of choreographing a show like American Idiot?
O: My background is very jazz and Fosse, and trying to lean into the style of the shoe, but stay true to what resonates with me as an artist. A lot of dance styles have their signature moves, and for a show like this you only really have headbanging so I was trying to fill the space in a more dynamic way.
You were also a featured ensemble member, with your own solos as well, what was it like trying to choreograph yourself, as part of the ensemble?
O: It was interesting because I never want to come off as an egotistical person, so I had to juggle the choreographer hat and the actor hat, and just taking a step back and look at “ok did I put myself here because I want to be in the front, or did I put myself here because storytelling wise that makes the most sense? “ I wanted to make sure that I did what I needed to do so the job was done with integrity.
What was your favorite number to choreograph, and your favorite number you sing in the show?
O: My favorite that I choreographed is definitely “Favorite Son”, because that was the number most in my element as a choreographer, and I could lean into some old school Broadway styles with that one, and then my favorite number I’m in is “Too Much Too Soon”, because its like my little moment and I get to hang out and play with three of my wonderful cast mates.
Anything you have planned coming up next?
O: Currently I have nothing lined up, But you can follow me on Instagram @Oliverrball, or check out my website,https://www.oliverballactor.com/home for any updates!
A big thank you again goes out to Oliver for everything you have put into this show, and make sure to stay tuned for more interviews with some more of our cast mates!
To purchase tickets for Bellissima Productions’ American Idiot, Check out this link here! Shows run August 3- 13!
Commenti