When I was in High School... - Ty Stover, SLAMMED

1. How did you become involved in the performing arts?
It officially in church and then in middle school where I won a talent show by doing an old Shelly Berman routine. But I always knew I would be involved in show business in some way. When I was 5 I wanted to be a ventriloquist (this is before the age of the muppets) but I pronounced the word “Psychiatrist”. For entertainment my parents would call me into the room when entertaining and ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I replied “A psychiatrist!” “And what does a psychiatrist do?” “HE MAKES DUMMIES TALK!”

2. What is the most interesting part you've ever played? Why?
Though I consider myself more of a director now, I have performed in well over 100 shows from dinner theatre to national tours, guerrilla street theatre to Shakespeare and Shaw. The key to keep this all fresh is that whatever project you are currently working on HAS to be the most interesting. I need to find something you love in every project or you burn out quickly. As far as personally interesting I would say it was a production of THE FULL MONTY because I was able to work through some personal issues myself as the character (Dave) took a similar journey every performance.

Ooooops…”when I was in high school”… yeah. I think the most interesting thing I did theatrically was I went to theatre camps they totally convinced me that I was destined for this path. It was the total immersion of being a part of a company of people and working toward this common goal that really got me. Being a part of something bigger than myself.

3. What advice would you give to young people who are interested in getting involved in the performing arts?
Do it. Don’t operate in a world of “if only…” think of it as “What if? And create your own opportunities if you can’t find what your “if” is looking for.

4. How can teens become ambassadors for the performing arts during the school year?
If you are not finding what you are looking for at school or church, look to the community theatres in town. Network with other teens. There is a facebook group called “StageQuest YA - Young Artist Networking in Indy” Use it or create your own page. Ambassador means you are reaching out, creating a connection between yourself, your craft and your community.

5. Where can teens find a community of other performing artists around the city?
Support the arts, get to know what is going on in the theatrical community. Familiarize yourself with all the venues in town and their differences. Volunteer, there is not a theatre around that cannot use free labor. Stuffing envelopes, cleaning paint cans, back painting flats, sorting hardware, being a go-fer, all things that are necessary and appreciated and provide chances to learn and observe how these crazy theatre folks actually manage to put out a product. I know of a theatre festival in town that begins with an “F” that can always use an extra set of hands and feet