For Eric Downs, acting at Pep is more than a passion…it’s tradition.
By Jen Clay
A&E Assistant
Four years ago, as a senior in high school, Eric Downs visited Pepperdine to audition for the music department.
“Our first day here happened to be opening night of the musical, which was Evita,” he said. “My dad and I were just blown away. I knew that – not only was the school amazing – but I told my dad I would love to be in any department that could put on that professional of a show in college.”
Now a senior vocal-performance major at Pepperdine, Downs is ecstatic to find himself at the center of this year’s musical production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Downs stars in the show as Tevye, a Jewish dairyman from a small village in czarist Russia at the turn of the 20th century.
To prepare for his role in “Fiddler,” the veteran performer read the original stories on which the musical was based.
“Reading those stories (from “Tevye the Dairyman” by Sholem Aleichem) was really cool because you hear about the story in its original voice,” Downs said. “It’s like reading the book compared to watching the movie.” Although there may seem to be few similarities between Downs and his character, Downs did find he identified with Tevye in one respect.
“The great thing is that Tevye is really bound within his faith and he has a really close relationship with God, and you can see how Tevye changes throughout the show in his conversations with God,” he explained.
Downs is no stranger to the Smothers’ stage. As well as being a four-year veteran member of the concert choir, he has performed in every Pepperdine musical since his freshman year. Last year he portrayed “The Governor” in “Man of La Mancha,” a production he labeled “a really moving, poignant show.” With four such experiences under his belt, his first remains his favorite.
“My favorite [musical] was ‘Westside Story,’ my freshman year. I was Snowboy, one of The Jets,” he said. “That would definitely be one of my all-time, favorite memories here at Pepperdine,” he said.
Downs’ love affair with performing began in the second grade. A piano teacher who served as accompanist for the prestigious Phoenix Boys’ Choir encouraged Downs to audition for the group. “I sang first soprano,” the now bass-baritone remembered with a laugh. Downs also performed in community theater as a high-school student in Phoenix and honed his musical skills on other instruments. “I studied piano for 10 years,” he said. “I don’t study anymore, but I play still — just kind of for my own enjoyment,” he said.
As much as he loves what he does, Downs finds life as a music major demanding. “There’s no real way for a social life,” he said. With 20 hours a week of ‘Fiddler’ rehearsal on top of his academic and choir commitments, Downs has little spare time, but socially, he feels it works out.
“You don’t need a fraternity or sorority to meet people because you automatically have this big network of friends, so you get to know people very well,” he said of the major.
After graduation in May, Downs would like to attend graduate school and continue to study voice.
“I’m trying to decide what my niche is going to be – what area of music I want to do,” he explained. “I can’t choose [between opera and musical theater]. I just think there’s something really amazing about opera. It’s the classical form of musical theater, where it all comes from.”
Downs is interested in moving to New York or even going abroad to Europe to perform. No matter the specifics, he always wants to be surrounded by music.
“I would like to perform for as long as I can just because that’s my first love,” he said.
“Fiddler on the Roof” opens at Smothers Theatre Nov. 6. Tickets cost $6 for Pepperdine students, $16 for faculty and $20 for the general public. For more information, call ext. 4055.
October 30, 2003