by Jennifer Jonassen

Paris Bradstreet has carved out a successful career as a theatrical performer. From New York City to California, she has played many of the most prestigious regional theaters in America. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Bradstreet while she was on the national tour of  the smash Broadway musical: Spring Awakening. Spring Awakening is the Tony Award winning musical that is based on the classic play of the same title. The show is provocative as it explores the lives of young men and women coming of age in a rigid and repressed turn of last century. This production runs through May 2011. For more information please check www.springawakening.com.

JJ: What is it like to be on tour with Spring Awakening?

PB: It's awesome and exhausting! 

JJ: You understudy the adult women roles in the show. How did you land the job?

PB: Last summer they posted on Playbill that they were looking for somebody to play 30-50 and I've been doing that since 18 (she laughingly recounts) so I submitted a video and they hired me to be the understudy.

JJ: Is being an understudy extra stressful since you'll never know when you will have to go on?

PB: Yes & No. I've been an understudy before in equity houses and have gone on lots of times. I do take it very seriously because you never do know when you'll have to go on. And because we are a touring company if someone has a family emergency and needs to leave you have to be prepared. 

JJ: Tell us a little about the characters you play in the show.

PB: The fun thing about this show is there are only two adult characters and they play all of the adults in the show. And you don't change costumes or anything, you are in the same costume, and your playing four or five authority characters. As an actor it's a challenge because you have to make very clear, specific choices to delineate them from one another. It's a thrilling opportunity.

JJ: What is it like to be on tour? It sounds like it's a grueling schedule!

PB: We travel by bus a lot which can be exhausting.

JJ: What is a typical day like?

PB: We usually are only in each town for one or two nights at a time. Usually we board the bus between 6 a.m. and 9a.m. We ride for between four and eight hours on the bus.. We usually have about an hour and a half when we get to our housing to unpack and get ready for the evening performances. the next day we start all over again! 

JJ: Wow that must require a lot of stamina! Can you tell us a little about what Spring Awakening is about?