10 on Tuesday with Patrick Rooney

Happy Tuesday, all!

BroadwayWorld Chicago is bringing you 10 on Tuesday, featuring artists in and around Chicago. This week's questionnaire filler-outer - Mr. Patrick Rooney!

1) Show you first auditioned for (and did you get the part)? In school: "Peter Pan" in 8th grade. I wanted to play Captain Hook so bad... I got the part. From then on I was "Hooked"(Terrible pun... but I just had to). Professionally: "The Secret Garden" for the role of Dickon. I did not get it. But I think you learn just as much from a rejection as you do when you actually get the part!
2) Where Are You From? Rochester, Michigan... and if I wasn't writing this I'd point it out on my hand. (Editor Note: Michigan is shaped like a mitten and Michigander use their hand to point out where they are from).

3) Currently Working On / Recently Closed? "Spring Awakening" at The Marriott Theatre. "RENT" at Theo Ubique is up next for me!

4) What's your dream role production? Currently in it. I've always wanted to play Melchior professionally. Everyone in this show truly brought their "A" game- from the Production Staff to the Actors, Crew, and Musicians. Even during rehearsals I found myself never wanting to take breaks. The music is brilliant and the play presents really important issues that still exist in today's society. "Spring Awakening" just grabbed me on a cellular level and it's been a wonderful ride.

A show that I would LOVE to be in is "Once." I'm Irish, grew up playing guitar, and am a sap for a well written love stories. Playing Guy would be amazing, but I think I'd be satisfied in any role.

5) Favorite post-performance haunt? Either Fireside Bar or The Hopleaf. There is nothing like a glowing tavern coupled with friends, laughs, and a good IPA to end the evening!

6) Living or dead, who would you drop everything to see perform? Jimi Hendrix. That man was on a whole different level.

7) Who's your biggest inspiration? My friends and family. My parents and sister are the single greatest support system for me. They have always believed in me even when I couldn't believe in myself.

The friends I have made in Chicago have become another family to me as well. Not only are they extremely talented artists, but they push me to be a better human every day. The amount of generosity I have experienced from them has been overwhelming. It's very very easy to become selfish in this performance world. I feel so lucky to have found this network of selfless, caring, talented people in my life.

8) Describe the Chicago community in three words. Family. Passion. Exploration.

9) Fill in the blank: "If I could change one thing about theatre in Chicago, it would be ..... " The perception from some that we're New York's "younger sibling". There are incredible aspects of both cities. And I would love to live in New York one day. But I truly believe that Chicago, its artists, and audience members stand on their own as a world class group.

10) Fill in the blank: "The thing I'd never change about theatre in Chicago is ....... " The community. Everyone here is so unique, honest, and friendly. The supportive environment we have also couples itself with a high level of expectation. In every show I've been in has the expectation to bring your entire self into the project. You're expected to take risks. And you're expected to support each other through it all. I have figuratively (and literally) fallen on my face so many times when rehearsing but have learned so much by being in a community that supports that kind of risk taking. It's been really important for me as a young artist and I'm proud to say that I am an actor in Chicago.

Got an Chicago actor, dancer, choreographer, or director you'd like to see featured on 10 on Tuesday? Let us know!

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