In Part 9 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s production of Charles Morey’s Laughing Stock, meet Brian Selcik.
Joel: Where have local audiences seen you on the stage?
Brian: I’ve done a lot of community children shows with ACCT, MVCCT and even some camp shows at The Little Theatre. With the tap company I was in (DynaMYTE), you could’ve caught me at the Atlas Center for the Performing Arts, Joy of Motion Dance Center, and The Kennedy Center.
Why did you want to be part of the cast of Laughing Stock at LTA?
I wanted to be a part of Laughing Stock because I had done a lot of camps when I was a lot younger at LTA and I wanted to finally try for an adult show. I went for the part that I could get with my age… and got it! It’s such a great experience.
Who do you play in the show? How do you relate to this character?
I play Braun Oakes in the show. He is an apprentice at the summer Playhouse. I relate to my character because he is very energetic and is trying a new thing, which is what I like to do! It’s really fun to play him because I do feel like he changes throughout the show so it very fun and challenging to work with that.
What’s the show about from the point of view of your character?
It’s about a fun summer thing that I’m trying out for the first time. I thought it was going to be very fun, but it’s a lot more work than I thought. We are doing three shows for the season but a lot of them go wrong and sometimes it’s blamed on me. I try hard to do everything right, but that doesn’t always happen.
Which character is most like you and why?
Probably Mary. I feel like we relate because she is VERY energetic and outgoing. She doesn’t care what people think about her and that’s something that I feel the same about
What did you perform at your audition? Where were you when you got the call that you had the role?
I performed an elf monologue. It wasn’t from elf but I found out about the auditions two days before so I just used pretty much the first thing I found. I forgot most of it and had to improv almost the entire thing! I did end up shaving off about 30 seconds! They called me at about 10 a.m., but being a teenager in the summer I, of course, was not awake. I woke up at about 10:30 and saw that I had a message on my phone from an unfamiliar number. I was immediately very nervous and that all changed when I listened to the message.
What have been some of the challenges you have faced preparing for your role and how has Director Shawn Byers help you through these challenges?
I’ve been having so much fun, I don’t really view much as a challenge. But probably learning all of the transitions because I have a lot and Shawn has been very understanding if I forget something.
>What is your favorite scene that you are not in and why?
Act 1 Scene 2. It’s really, really funny! Mary’s audition is just hilarious. You also get to meet a lot of characters in this scene that are in the show, so that is really great, especially for the audience.
What is your favorite line or lines that your character recites and what is your favorite line that someone else recites in the show?
My favorite line for myself is probably “Bruan.” I say that because it really develops throughout the show. At first I’m nice about it, then a little more forceful until I’m flat out mad! It’s great! My favorite line from another character (although it is really hard to decide) is probably Vernon’s/Seward’s: “Well. perhaps, Doctor, you should have memorized the goddamn letter.” The way that he says it is SO funny! I don’t know how the people onstage stay in character!
What are you doing next on the stage?
Hopefully A Christmas Carol at LTA. I’ve never auditioned for it before but hopefully I’ll get in.
What do you want audiences to take with them after seeing Laughing Stock?
I just want to know that they had a good time and maybe that we made their day with the humor that we offer.
Laughing Stock plays through September 26, 2015 at The Little Theatre of Alexandria – 600 Wolfe Street, in Alexandria, VA. For tickets call the box office at (703) 683-0496, or purchase them online.
LINKS:
Review of Laughing Stock by Caroline Simpson on DCMetroTheaterArts.
Meet the Cast of The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s ‘Laughing Stock’: Part 1: Will MacLeod.
Meet the Cast of The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s ‘Laughing Stock’: Part 2: Director Shawn G. Byers.
Meet the Cast of The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s ‘Laughing Stock’: Part 3: Tom Flatt.
Meet the Cast of The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s ‘Laughing Stock’: Part 4: Abigail Ropp.
Meet the Cast of The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s ‘Laughing Stock’: Part 5: Ted Culler.
Meet the Cast of The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s ‘Laughing Stock’: Part 6: Hilary Adams.
Meet the Cast of The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s ‘Laughing Stock’: Part 7: Larry Grey.
Meet the Cast of The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s ‘Laughing Stock’: Part 8: Lars Klores.
