Q1: Tell us about your first memory of seeing “Mary Poppins”?
Veruka: I loved the tap dancing! When the chimney sweeps were dancing on the rooftops I was like, WOW!
Tyler: My favorite part of the movie has always been “Step in Time”. I saw the National Tour a few years ago and I loved how Bert tap-danced upside-down on the ceiling in this musical number.
Q2: Tell us about playing the role of Jane/Michael Banks.
Veruka: Jane is definitely a dream role. I am so excited to be a part of the magic in “Spoonful of Sugar” and to make the room clean up by itself!
Tyler: Ever since I heard Charleston Stage was doing “Mary Poppins”, I wanted the part of Michael Banks. I never thought I would get it though since this is my first year in Performance Troupe. I couldn’t believe it when I found out I got it. I had a performance at school that night and I remember telling my music teacher that I got the part of Michael and she went crazy. That was when I really realized what a big deal it was.
Q3: What was your favorite part of the rehearsal process of “Mary Poppins”?
Veruka: The best part of rehearsal besides the singing and dancing, was hanging out with the other cast members.
Tyler: The most fun thing for me so far was finding out that I got to do some tap-dancing in “Step in Time”.
Q4: Where are your from?
Veruka: I grew up in NYC and just moved to the Charleston area a year and a half ago.
Tyler: I was born and raised in Mount Pleasant, SC.
Q5: How did you get interested in theatre?
Veruka: My mom always listens to show tunes and brought me to see shows when I was still a toddler. I guess I always just loved theater and wanted to be a part of it.
Tyler: When I was little I loved dressing up in costumes, acting out the parts and putting on shows for people. When I was two and a half I became obsessed with hibachi chefs and imitated everything they did (see photo below). My mom and I would watch You Tube videos so I could learn new tricks. I had little wooden knives and food that I used to pretend. My grandfather even made me an onion volcano out of wood. That was all I played for almost a whole year. My parents had to get a new coffee table because I made so many marks on the old one with my knives. My mom said that I needed to be on the stage and that when I was old enough I had to start taking acting classes. As soon as I turned 5 she signed me up for drama at the rec department.
Q6: What have been some of your favorite roles you’ve played?
Veruka: At French Woods, I had the role of Cinderella in “Cinderella” which was so much fun! But my first time on stage at the Dock Street Theatre as Minnie May in “Anne of Green Gables” was the most exciting. It was a small role, but I learned so much from the professional actors and it was exciting to be in a “real” theater.
Tyler: Michael Banks is by far my favorite role so far. I really liked playing Jafar in “Aladdin Jr.” last summer with Charleston Stage. The summer before I played JoJo in “Seussical Jr.” When I was 8, I played Tom in “There’s a Monster in My Closet” with Streamline Productions and Andrea Rausch, who is playing the bird lady in our “Mary Poppins”.
Charleston Stage’s “Mary Poppins” continues running April 14 – May 1, 2016, at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. For tickets, call (843) 577-7183 or purchase online by clicking here.
