HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA: University School of Nashville's AIDAN WATT

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, Catherine Coke, Jim Manning and Will Butler, student actors are leaving an indelible mark on the theater community, not only in academic productions but in community and professional projects, as well.

Today the spotlight shines on University School of Nashville's Aidan Watt, who during his four years at USN has been cast in every production - "aside from Noises Off, which I did tech for," he explains. As part of the amazing theater program at USN, Aidan's been learning from the best: Catherine Coke, whose resume includes work on all levels of professional theater, heads the program, with the estimable Jim Manning, perhaps Nashville's hardest working scenic designer (not to detract from any of the other designers in town, of course, who do great work, but Jim Manning - a 2012 First Night Star Award winner - tends to work on multiple productions for multiple companies at the same time. Whew!), heading technical and design teams.

Aidan's got the training, he's had the experience (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson - Black Fox; Laramie Project - 8-13 roles; 9 to 5, The Musical - Josh; Hedda Gabler - Ejlert Lovborg; I Hate Hamlet - Andrew Rally; Gospel at Colonus - Pastor Theseus; Our Town - Joe Crowell/Si Crowell; The Great Tragedian - The Captain; Pippin - Leading Player; The Adding Machine - Mr. Zero) and, with college just over the horizon, the future seems bright for yet another Nashville talent. Get to know more about Aidan Watt...

What's your theatrical goal? My theatrical goals are to challenge and push myself as an actor. Every time I take on a new role, I attempt to do my best to further explore the characters and how I can become more convincing as an actor. I would love to evoke strong reactions from the audience. I'd also like to gain knowledge and experience from each role and show I am a part of. I hope the show causes me to think about things, in a way I might not always do so, and forces me to ask a few questions as a result.

Do you have a dream role? A dream role for me would probably be the Emcee from Cabaret. The character is just so interesting, has so many levels, and could be done in so many different ways. It would be a lot of fun to take that on.

What's been your favorite or most memorable theatrical experience to date? This is hard because each show has so many great moments and memories. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson my freshman year was just an incredible experience all together. I was new to the school, everyone was so talented, and the show was so different from anything I had ever done before. Going out on the stage, under the lights, singing the songs - I felt like a rock star.

Hedda Gabler was an incredible experience because the cast got along so well. We had some incredible moments and conversations during rehearsals and backstage that I'll never forget. The Adding Machine, however, was probably the most challenging and rewarding role for me. I've never taken on a role like this before and I put a lot of time into it. It really made me realize that acting is something I could never give up because I love it so much.

Who's your theatrical crush? This is a tough one, I'm not sure if I actually know the answer to this one.

What show do you really, really, really want to see? I'd really like to see Cabaret on Broadway. I've only ever seen it as a high school production and I would just love to see it put together on a much bigger scale.

If you could play any role in any show, what would you choose? I'd like to play Andrew Jackson from Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. This show means a lot to me. It was the first real production I was a part of in High School, and it was an incredible experience. It was the first time I felt accepted and really a part of a team. I had new friends, support, and it put me in such a good place. I've seen the show several times since then and to be able to play that role now would show me just how much I've grown since being that young, shy, new kid.

Who are your favorite actors? I'm so bad with questions about favorites. I saw Michael C. Hall play Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch and he was fantastic. The whole show is practically a monologue, on top of having to sing songs, and run around in heels. He absolutely killed it! So I'd definitely put him up there. I've also always loved Neil Patrick Harris. I think he's great.

To post a comment, you must register and login.