By Kristin Ow
Staff Writer
On stage, Ben Schmidt has always been able to make people laugh.
In eighth grade, he played a teacher in a school play. He had to change costumes quickly because his character went back in time to the colonial period, but he could not change fast enough.
They started the act without him.
Schmidt laughed as he remembered the incident.
“I ran on stage, and I tripped coming on stage,” Schmidt said. “I had my vest on upside down.”
That experience did not stop Schmidt from participating in theater. The senior theater major from Thief River Falls, Minn., can be seen in Pepperdine’s fall musical, “Man of La Mancha,” as the comedic companion to Don Quixote, Sancho Panza.
Sancho Panza is Quixote’s faithful servant who accompanies him in a Spanish prison where they are held during the Spanish Inquisition.
Schmidt will be featured in a duet, some solo works and as a part of many other songs. Stage manager Jim Albarano considers Schmidt one of the play’s highlights.
“Schmidt is able to bring the entertainment and comic talent needed to Sancho’s character,” Albarano said.
Schmidt has had experience on stage at Pepperdine as Abner Dylan in last year’s “42nd Street,” performances in two one-act plays and has performed in the chorus of two operas.
Schmidt also practices scene work in class up to three times a week on top of a heavy rehearsal schedule for the musical.
The cast for the musical meets five nights a week for four hours each night. Schmidt knows that in a performance adrenaline can help an actor press forward, but in rehearsal, keeping energy levels up is a challenge.
“It’s fun going to rehearsals,” Schmidt said, despite the seemingly demanding schedules. “I’ve grown personally as a character and had a fun time doing it.”
However, Schmidt believes this musical is more than just a good time.
“The show has a lot of unique elements, it’s funny with a serious point,” Schmidt said. “There is a lot of depth with this show.”
He looks forward to the performances, but he has enjoyed the experience of the process. His favorite moments so far in preparing for the performances have been working with the cast.
“I’ve liked working with Cathy (Thomas-Grant) and Chris (Stivers),” Schmidt said. They are a great team. They always feel like they are on your side. It’s been great working with the people that are so fun and so talented.”
October 31, 2002