Interview: Theatre Life with Stephen F. Schmidt

Over the years, today's subject has been primarily living his theatre life onstage at Ford's Theatre. Stephen F. Schmidt is currently beginning his eighth season in the current edition of A Christmas Carol, but as you will read, this is not his first encounter with Scrooge and company.

Stephen - a Resident Teaching Artist at Ford's - has also been seen in the theatre's productions of Parade, Hello Dolly, Liberty Smith, 1776, Beau Jest, Violet, and others. He's also in Ford's long-running production of One Destiny, which recently celebrated its 1,000th performance.

Stephen has also performed at some of the area's other top theatres. Recent theatre credits include Triumph of Love and The Producers at Olney Theatre Center, All the Way at Arena Stage, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at Signature Theatre, Willy Wonka at Kennedy Center, The Music Man at Washington Savoyards, and Glimpses of the Moon at MetroStage. You might have also seen him in the film J. Edgar in which he was featured in a scene with Leonardo DeCaprio. That's only a sampling at Stephen's varied list of credits, but it gives you an idea of his wide performing range.

When not performing, Stephen can be found cheering on the Washington Nationals or traveling with his wife Joan.

Stephen F. Schmidt is one of DC's busiest and most talented performers and to say it's always a pleasure seeing him onstage is an understatement. His booming entrance line "Mr. Hawk!" in One Destiny is one of the things that makes me revisit the production each year. Do yourself a favor and check out Stephen F. Schmidt and company in A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theatre this holiday season. It's a guaranteed treat for all ages. "God Bless Us, Everyone" for the opportunity.

Ford's Theatre's current version of A Christmas Carol will be eight years old this season. You have been with it since the beginning. Can you please tell us what keeps you coming back year after year?

A Christmas Carol at Ford's is indeed a Washington tradition. One of the many reasons that I continue to enjoy performing this evergreen work is the response we get from our audiences. That response is not only in the laughter, tears, and applause we receive, but in the contributions our patrons make to the different charities we have collected for over all these years! It is very gratifying to know that the message Charles Dickens sent out into the world of 1852 is still alive and well and inspiring our audiences today.

This is not the first version of A Christmas Carol you have been a part of at Ford's Theatre. Can you please tell us what David Bell's take was on the material? Also, what are some of the biggest differences (production concept etc.) in the way the story is told in this current version as compared to others?

I think both David Bell's and Michael Wilson's adaptations capture the heart of A Christmas Carol. However, I do think that our current production does not shy away from the scarier aspects of this Ghost Story of Christmas!

What do you feel is the universal message Charles Dickens is trying to convey in A Christmas Carol?

In his Preface Charles Dickens wrote: "My chief purpose was, in a whimsical kind of masque which the good humor of the season justified, to awaken some loving and forbearing thoughts, never out of season in a Christian land." Or as Marley says, "Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence were, all, my business!"

You also perform in another show at Ford's Theatre. Can you please tell us about One Destiny? You have now played over 1,000 performances of that show so how do you keep it fresh for yourself every time you do it?

One Destiny by Richard Hellesen is a re-telling of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln as told by two people who were at Ford's that evening. Harry Hawk, the actor on stage at the time, and Harry Ford, the manger on duty that evening, come together to relive the experience in the hope that they can find the moment when they might have been able to stop the assassination from happening. It is a wonderfully written piece that never fails to capture our audiences' rapt attention. I also feel that we inspire young people in particular to find out more about this event and the legacy of our greatest President, Abraham Lincoln.

You had to replace the actor playing the title role in Ford's Theatre's production of Liberty Smith after the show had already started performances because of an injury. Can you please talk about what it was like to have to learn a show that fast and go straight into performance?

I replaced the actor who played Old Liberty for the final week of the run. It is a part of this business that on occasion we actors have to step into a show with short notice. Fortunately, when this happens we actors have an entire cast and crew ready to help us prepare and perform. I really could not have done it without all of that wonderful support!

Why did you choose DC as your theatrical home as opposed to NY or some other places in the country?

My journey as an actor actually began here in the DC area. After attending the University of Maryland for two years, I transferred to New York University. After I graduated, I continued to live and work in New York until I moved to Los Angeles. After a few years there, I found myself back in DC, which had undergone a wonderful transformation while I was away. I honestly have not stopped working since I returned to this area and I couldn't be prouder to be a part of the vibrant theatre community!

What do you feel are some of the best things to happen to DC theatre since you first started performing here?

The best thing that has happened is that the DC/Baltimore area has really become a theatre town! With so many theatres offering actors and technicians gainful employment, it is completely possible to live and work here and not have to travel to other places for theatre work. We are all grateful to live in such a wonderful community that loves and supports the theatrical arts!

Special Thanks to Ford's Theatre's Associate Director of Communications and Marketing Lauren Beyea for her assistance in coordinating this interview.

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