HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA: Shane Kopischke

Welcome, dear ladies and gentlemen and all supporters of theater (both local and otherwise) to our freshest installment of High School Drama, in which we introduce BWW Nashville readers to some of Music City's hardest working teenaged actors. Living in a city made all the more unique and interesting by the creative people who live here and create art every day, we are especially to be blessed by scores of talented individuals who make a night in the theater both compelling and challenging.

Throughout Middle Tennessee, high school theater is growing by leaps and bounds, challenging all manner or preconceived notions. Led by outstanding educators like Mary Ellen Smith, Matt Smith, Paula Flautt, Daron Bruce, Jenny Noel and Will Butler, student actors are making their mark on the theater community, not only in academic productions but in community and professional projects, as well.

But not all of our best-known teen actors are studying in the traditional secondary school manner. Today, we focus on Shane Kopischke, a 17-year-old rising high school senior who is home-schooled and currently celebrating his 11th year of doing stage productions.

"In fact," he reminds us, "I recently did my 30th show." And there are more on the way, without question, because Shane is good - so good that he was named a First Night Most Promising Actor in 2013.

"I started out doing shows with the Renaissance Players in Dickson and more recently have done shows with Act Too Players and Circle Players," he says.

Here's your opportunity to get to know more about Shane Kopischke:

What's your theatrical goal in life? My goal for theatre is to go wherever it needs me. If I need to spend a summer in Ohio because that's where the good roles are, I'll do it. Of course, Broadway would be awesome, but that's such a lofty goal that it's not something that is actively in my pursuit. I want to get myself out there first, then I'll worry about where I am.

If you could play any role in any show, what would you choose? That's a tough question. There are so many shows that have influenced who I am and how I perform. If I had to choose, it would have to be either Link Larkin in Hairspray or Moritz in Spring Awakening.

What's been your best theatrical experience to date? In summer of 2013, I played Mark Cohen in Rent with Act Too Players and that has to top my list. That show was one of the first I really fell in love with and being able to bring all the ideas and fantasies I had of playing this role to life was such an amazing experience. I got to be on stage with some incredibly talented people and I would kill to be able to do it again.

Who are your favorite actors? Jonathan Groff is incredible. His portrayal of Melchior in Spring Awakening is genius and his voice is really great. I also think Aaron Tveit is absolutely fantastic. They're both actors who started out onstage, Broadway specifically, and have transferred over to screen acting very well.

What show that you've never seen would you most like to see? I wish I could go back and see [title of show] with the Original Broadway Cast. That is, by far, my favorite show out there and I've always wanted to see the original four members do the show. And I would also love to see Hedwig and the Angry Inch, specifically with Darren Criss.

To post a comment, you must register and login.