What inspired you to get into Theatre?<\/strong> <\/p>\n Jeff: I grew up as a Band kid, but sang in several choral groups in college while I was an Instrumental Music Education major. I played in pit orchestras for theatre productions, and noticed that the people onstage seemed to be having a really good time. I was in my late 30\u2019s when a good friend (a theatre arts teacher) literally dragged me onstage kicking and screaming for a show she was directing. It was a perfect role for me: I had to sing a short solo, but had absolutely zero speaking lines. To my surprise, I was hooked.<\/em> <\/p>\n What do you do to prepare for a role?<\/strong> <\/p>\n Jeff: I typically already \u201cknow\u201d the character before I audition, and start reading thru the part well in advance of the audition. Once rehearsals begin, it\u2019s a matter of learning how your character interacts with the others, and giving thought to how your character would look\/react\/think during every second you\u2019re onstage. I find it harder to memorize my lines as I\u2019ve begun to accumulate birthdays. I record them on CD and listen to them when I\u2019m in the car or traveling. For me, that\u2019s important: Which characters have you played, and which characters have you played the most? <\/strong><\/p>\n Jeff: I used to aspire for the lead roles, and did a few (Jesus in \u201cGodspell\u201d, Snoopy in \u201cSnoopy: The Musical\u201d) but gradually realized that someone of my nerdy, slender 5\u20199\u201d stature with receding hairline isn\u2019t the right fit for, say, the role of the big, strapping farm boy Curly in \u201cOklahoma\u201d. So, I\u2019ve gravitated to the supporting \u201csidekick\u201d roles, where you have a lot of stage time, but fewer lines to learn. The supporting roles get most of the funny lines; just finished playing \u201cIgor\u201d in Young Frankenstein for the 2nd time \u2013 it\u2019s been a favorite. Have played Snoopy 3 times in various productions, and the Dentist in \u201cLittle Shop of Horrors\u201d a couple of times.<\/em> <\/p>\n The hardest role you have played, and why. <\/strong> <\/p>\n Jeff: Hmm\u2026.Dr. Neville Craven in \u201cSecret Garden\u201d was a challenge, because he is an overbearing, scheming, basically nasty guy, and I\u2019m kind of the Walter Mitty type. I also played 7 male\/female roles in \u201cOut of Sterno\u201d. Aside from the constant costume changes, I had to create 7 completely different personas, and switch constantly between them. We had two backstage \u201cdressers\u201d who helped me change costumes, sometimes in less than 30 seconds. Fun! Last summer, I played \u201cThe Giver\u201d, in the stage production. Transforming myself into an elderly, sagelike mentor was an exciting challenge.<\/em><\/p>\n “He is SO much fun to watch in ANY character he has ever played!! He recently finished a stint as Igor in my production of Young Frankenstein! His facial expressions, body movements, voice, you name it, it WAS Igor! Jeff disappears when he is on stage and that makes him so much fun to play off of as a fellow actor!”<\/p>\n![\"Jeff](\"https:\/\/www.musictravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/buchanan-8.png\")
\nI don\u2019t want to have to concentrate on my lines while learning new blocking (where to stand, when to move) and new choreography during a rehearsal. I also exercise like a fiend, so that I\u2019m never out of breath onstage while singing\/dancing during a performance.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n![\"Jeff](\"https:\/\/www.musictravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/buchanan-1.png\")
\n![\"Jeff](\"https:\/\/www.musictravel.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/buchanan-6.png\")
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