Spotlight On...Brendan Spieth

Name: Brendan Spieth

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

Education: The Juilliard School

Select Credits: Winter's Tale (Old Globe), American River (Lesser America), R + J: Star Cross'd Death Match (3 Day Hangover), Balm in Gilead (Brian Mertes, Beau Willimon, Alex Harvey), I choreographed some dances for The Humans are in Trouble (NYU Grad Acting Program), and I was a prep cook at Egg Restaurant in Brooklyn (Heard!)

Why theater?: Theatre has infinite possibility, it reflects our hidden desires and our childish terrors. 

Tell us about Short Life of Trouble: Short Life of Trouble is a wandering of sorts from different writers.  It's pulled text from William Shakespeare's Hamlet, selected William Faulkner, and music that dates from the 1930's and before.  The different mediums blend together to create this unique southern landscape that reverberates a familiar tale. 

What is it like being a part of Short Life of Trouble?: Being a native Texan... this world feels like home.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: New playwrights have always been the way.  I have so many heroes in this world among them are: Laura Ramadei, Nate Miller, Jared P. Nathan, Orlando Pabotoy, and the San Antonio Spurs.  But my biggest heroes have always been my Mother (Suzanne) and Father (Donald).

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Cyrano de Bergerac, Fool (Lear), Treplev.

What’s your favorite showtune?: "Telly" from Matilda

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I would love to be in a play directed by Christopher Bayes

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I would have Cate Blanchett play me.  And it would be called "Two - One - Oh"

What show have you recommended to your friends?: An Octaroon (Soho Rep.), Casa Valentina (MTC), Carnival Kids (Lesser America), and "Looking" (HBO)

What’s the most played song on your iTunes?: "Sampson and the Warden" by Loudon Wainwright, "Take Me Back Babe" by: Mance Lipscomb, and "Ax to Grind" by: Damon Daunno.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: "Frasier."  I have watched every single episode of Frasier... three times. (judge away... its amazing)

What’s up next?: I've  been part of the writing team for a new musical about an indie band from 2001. It is called "Those Lost Boys". We are putting four performances  up at Ars Nova July 25th & 26th and August 1st & 2nd!  Check us out! www.thoselostboys.com