Hometown: Columbia, South Carolina
Education: Coastal Carolina University and the SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities.
Select Credits: Way to Heaven (Boy #2, Teatro Circlo, NYC); Cabaret (Bobby, Arts Center of CC, Hilton Head); RISE (Glenn, Roots & Wings, NYC) I spent a year interning at Maine State Music Theatre and Florida Repertory Theatre. It was great training watching professionals in both the musical theatre and straight theatre world. (Also cleaning toilets and unscrewing 400 Proscenium chaser lights really makes you grateful when you are performing.) I have also assisted on the other side of the table for the national tours of The Drowsy Chaperone, Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables (25th Anniversary tour), and Billy Elliot.
Why theater?: If someone asked me this in real life I would punch them. Why theater? Because nothing is better!
Tell us about Do Me a Little: Do Me a Little is a 60 minute, 2 person play written by the incredible playwright, Marissa Kohn and directed by the great David Alpert. The premise is: 2 virgins on their wedding night. Things get interesting when you factor in their Mormon faith and a painful secret comes out that makes them question how to proceed in their marriage. I play Brigham Applegate, a devout 24 year old Mormon news anchor, who does not take it lightly that he is named after THE Brigham Young.
What is it like being a part of Do Me a Little?: I've been doing a lot of research on the Mormon Church and there are so many things that I just didn't understand initially. At first I thought, "Oh yeah.. I know this guy, I was raised Southern Baptist..." But it's so much more than all that. This isn't a Mormon bashing play, so, having to walk through it, with his vocabulary, his circumstances, his beliefs has been really emotional for me. It's just been really eye opening. This play is great because Marissa's writing never makes a judgement call. The audience sees two characters struggling and no one is right and no one is wrong. They are both just trying to survive. Which, in a sense, is the human experience.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I think any statement resonates deeper when told through art. That's what inspires me. When I think of theatre that really moves or speaks to me... that's what's underneath it. Someone was brave enough to artfully make me question something.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: If I don't play Luke in Next Fall, my life will have been wasted. And Cliff in Cabaret (I've done it before but it's still my dream role.)
What’s your favorite showtune?: I was totally 'that kid' who owned every cast recording (and bootleg...oops), singing in my car on the way to Wal-Mart. I really want to pull out something really random to prove the depth of my nerdiness, but this is a HARD question!! In no particular order, "Moments in the Woods" from Into the Woods, "Breathe" from In the Heights, and anything from Zanna Don't.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Gordon Edelstein - I saw his Glass Menagerie 3 times. I'd love to work with Joe Mantello. Oh, definitely Denis O'Hare. I mean, the list is endless...
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: It's hard to answer this but I definitely plan to have my life be the basis for a big Broadway musical like Boy George's Taboo....... only nothing like Taboo. (not hating...I'm just nothing like Boy George.)
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Do Me a Little and Clybourne Park.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Sweet Tea, Showgirls, and "belting" on youtube.
What’s up next?: I'm in the Series Premiere of "Next Caller" on NBC (airing Midseason) and at this point it looks like my character will be back for more on a recurring basis!
I've also started a project called, "Homo-nologues" which is intended to create enough awareness to close the divide between being out on a personal level and being out as a professional actor.
For more on Trey, visit http://www.trey-gerrald.com/
