American Idiot - Interview with Ryan Norton and Maryna Seufert

The first weekend of our show has come and gone, reviews have started to come in, and honestly it's been a weird three days not seeing everyone. Through all of the craziness of putting on a show, it's very easy to come together like a little family. That is one of the things that brings people back to it, is the fact that you go through a collective process, struggle, and build something together from the ground up. It really is a magical process to be a part of, and it's as magical to be an audience member to see what sometimes feels like an impossible feat being put on for your enjoyment.

We have a wonderful leading cast of actors, as American Idiot features Aaron Gabriel Saldana, Quinn McGillion, Ryan Norton, Maryna Seufert, Jeremy Catania, Timiyah Love, and of course, we can not forget Mia LaMarco. Honestly, I should just list out everyone’s names as the amount of talent that this production holds is (in my very biased opinion) insurmountable. But the best way to actually check that out would be to see all of us in the program, when you buy a ticket. (hint: come see the show if you haven’t already).

I wanted to get the inside scoop of one of the main pairings of the show, Heather and Will, played by Ryan Norton and Maryna Seufert.

What was your favorite part of this process?

Maryna: Once we got into the theater and started consistently working with the pit and costumes, the excitement was starting to build, when all the little things came together.

Ryan: Honestly for me, it was when we got to do the promo photos, because it was the first time I saw myself as that character and got to put together that look. It made it start to feel real, and like I was actually about to do this show I wanted to do.

What was the most challenging part of learning these characters?

R:There was a lot of pulling of actual emotions and experiences that I’ve had , so I think finding the middle ground of making the character ( Will) complicated and nuanced and still portray that what he is doing is not excusable. It's a hard line to walk to make a character sympathetic but also acknowledging that what they are doing isn't the right thing to do at that moment.

M: I struggled with Heather because this is the first in a long time that I portrayed a character that I can't really relate to, because I am not a mother or planning on being a mother anytime soon. I’ve never had to worry about the struggle of worrying about finances after a pregnancy, but I've seen people go through that. Just figuring out her importance in the show was a challenge, as Heather and Will’s story is portrayed from the middle, so the audience doesn’t get to see the beginning of their love story like we do with Johnny and Whatsername, and Tunny and Extraordinary Girl. It's like walking into a movie late.

R: It puts extra work on us as the actors to make the audience connect, because they don't see all of the dynamics of our story before the pregnancy. We had to come up with our own backstory to make it meaningful to us as well.

Is there a specific number in the show that impacts your character and yourself the most?

R: for me it's easy, in Homecoming Medley, during Nobody Likes You, i'm just channeling three am racing thoughts energy at that point because it is so personal and coming from a deep place, that the challenge of that part is allowing myself to let go of the insecurity and hesitation of how i sound and how its going to come across, and just letting myself be that vulnerable, because it's tapping into dark isolated thoughts.

M: It's a mix of Novocaine and Last Night on Earth: In Novocaine, Heather doesn't sing, but it's when she's pregnant, and he's ( Will) just high, and Last Night on Earth after having the baby she is trying to get Will to acknowledge that we have a child, let's be a family, but Will is so lost, its when she realizes it's not going to get better, and decides what she needs to do.

As Ryan and Maryna: What is your favorite number from the show?

M: Letterbomb, I love Letterbomb, honestly I love it because it's an anger release, and i think it's an anger release for all of the girls in the number, and we get to take out any frustration out that we don't get to in the rest of the show out on Aaron, which is so much fun.

R: For me, it's Wake Me Up When September Ends, that was my jam growing up, and in the context of the show, and I think it's a big moment for Will, and I think it's when I get to show off a different tone of my voice. It's another moment of being vulnerable, and I get to sing with Aaron and Quinn, and I love having that energy with them and going through it together.

If you had any advice for someone just starting out in theater, what would it be?

M: Emotionally prepare yourself, you will get a lot of no’s, and it will hurt like hell, but at the end of the day, it's not that you're not talented enough, it's just you aren't what that person is looking for, You have to build up a small wall and be prepared. When I audition, I always expect a no before I expect a yes. I let myself get a little excited when I hear about callbacks, but I don't let myself get happy until I get the “yes you are heather, you are cast in this show”. Just emotionally prepare for the no's, but allow yourself to be happy for the yes, and don’t let it go to your head.

R: I'm truly just wrapping up my first year of theatre, and the thing that truly helped me the most, was trying to learn from everyone. I'm out there just living my best life, but all the people around me, either has been doing this longer, or went to school for this, and everyone out there has something to teach you, whether it's something in singing, acting, a life lesson, or something else, but people want to help you learn if you take advantage of it. Learn what you can and take what you can.

To purchase tickets for Bellissima Productions’ American Idiot, Check out this link here! Shows run August 3- 13! I would love to see you come to support my friends, this wonderful small company, and myself!