COLLEGIATE THEATRICS: Marymount Manhattan's Blake Marshall

Over the years - as I've covered theater, opera and dance throughout Tennessee - I've seen some really terrific theater, which proves that it's not just the sole province of New York, Chicago, D.C., Los Angeles. In fact, I'd be happy to put a homegrown, fresh from Music City, musical production up against anything mounted anywhere (although that may not be fair seeing as how we are "Music" city), and our dramatic productions fairly crackle with an intensity fueled by creativity and imagination.

As Nashville continues to grow and to thrive as a theater town (we still have a way to go before we can fully accept that title, truth be told), we continue to see young actors pursuing their dreams that first began on a local stage, the creative fire propelling them to study in college and university theater programs all over the country. And it is those promising younger actors, now working in academic theater, who have inspired our COLLEGIATE THEATRICS series, which affords readers an opportunity to get to know some of these up-and-coming actors.

It will enable you to someday say that you, too, "knew them when"...like Brentwood's Blake Marshall, a graduate of Franklin High School now in the middle of his freshman year at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. Among his credits: Archie in 13 The Musical for Pull-Tight Players; Man 2 in Songs For A New World for the Act Too Players; "We Beseech Thee" track in Godspell at Franklin High, a production that was performed for the Tennessee State Thespian Conference; and he is the voice of The Grasshopper in a recording of the new musical adaptation of James and The Giant Peach Jr. by Pasek and Paul.

In addition, Blake was a 2014 First Night Most Promising Actor...

So, how are things going at Marymount Manhattan? Has it lived up to its advance hype? Is it what you wanted it to be? Being a theatre major at a college in New York City is absolutely nuts. I love living in the city because there are so many theatrical opportunities both through and separate from the school. I had no clue what to expect from going to college in New York City, but I have been surrounded with theatre and people that also have a strong passion for the art of performing and seen so many beautiful works of theatre from Broadway to readings of new musicals.

What's your favorite part of studying there? My favorite part of the school would have to be the work everyone puts in. All theatre majors are required to take Stagecraft for a semester and this semester I took Wardrobe. In each stagecraft class, there is a certain number of crew hours required. To complete my hours, I signed up for wardrobe run crew for the fall MainStage production of O Pioneers. The actors and production team on this show were so dedicated to the work and it was so amazing to see. The actors, who were all students of Marymount, were some of the most professional actors I have ever worked with and, on top of that, what they were doing on that stage was absolutely brilliant. The play gets quite sad and this cast was so connected to the material, they would run backstage in tears, no actor forced any emotion, they just let it be natural and honest. The cast would be absolutely drained emotionally by the end of the show and then they do it all again the next day. The six-night run was completely sold out and the audiences wonderfully received the beautiful story they were telling. This has been my favorite experience thus far.

Have your future plans changed since the realities of college became real for you? I am trying to keep all my options open. I know I want to continue receiving training and pursue a career in Musical Theatre regardless.

What collegiate theatrical moment looms largest in your mind? Again, I would have to say O Pioneers. Another moment that comes to mind is seeing Godspell at Pace University which is downtown in the financial district. It was an immersive take on the show, it was so amazing and it has definitely stuck with me.

What advice would you offer to high school students considering making the plunge? Preparation is so important. No matter how prepared you think you are, go further. Be completely confident in your material. Use songs and monologues that really show who you are and that you love what you're doing. Everyone says have fun and most people ignore that, but it really is so important to remember that, hopefully, the reason you're doing this is because you really love it and so you deserve to have fun doing it whether that's in an audition or a show, just do it for you and the rest will fall into place.

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