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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Spotlight On...Stephen James Anthony

Name: Stephen James Anthony

Hometown: Forest Lake, MN

Education: BFA Syracuse University, Shakespeare's Globe London

Select Credits: Billy in War Horse at Lincoln Center, Smike in Nicholas Nickleby at Orlando Shakes, Valmont in Les Liaisons at Syracuse Stage, Alan in Equus at Black Box Players.

Why theater?: Theater is very satisfying as an actor, because of its immediacy. The constant dialogue between the performers and the audience can be incredibly exhilarating.

Who do you play in Lancelot?: Ryan

Tell us about Lancelot: Lancelot is largely a play about identity, and the struggle we all go through to find our true self. Stephen [Fechter] has done a fantastic job confronting this issue, through a very compelling story.

What is it like being a part of Lancelot?: The process has been very enjoyable. Having been a part of the show since its first reading, I'm thrilled to be in the full production the play deserves.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I love the feeling, as an audience member, of being thrown off balance. Good theater achieves that. Also, like many people, I relish when theater starts a conversation. There's no better feeling than leaving a theater in a heated debate with your friends.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Boy in Peter and the Starcatcher, Edmund in Lear, and any part that gives me an excuse to learn a new dialect.

What’s your favorite showtune?: Hmmm, I really love, "Not While I'm Around" from Sweeney Todd.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I'd go for broke and say Mark Rylance, arguably our best living classical actor.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: "The Man from Minnesota" starring Benedict Cumberbatch! I'm a bit obsessed with Sherlock.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: Though they're closed now, I was telling everyone to see the Globe productions that were playing in rep this year; "Twelfth Night" and "Richard III", starring Mark Rylance, obviously!

What’s the most played song on your iTunes?: I think it's "Devotion" by Weezer.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: My nerdy tendencies: I have a rather rabid appetite for board games, particularly, "The Settlers of Catan."

What’s up next?: A nine man production of Comedy of Errors, we are workshopping now.

For more on Lancelot, visit http://www.360repco.org/