The Skinny on Stuart!

One-half of the dynamic duo that is Wild Abandon Productions, Halifax singer, actor and dancer Stuart Hiseler shares is thoughts on his personal and professional lives.

What inspired you to start performing?

Like many actors, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t. There are pictures of me performing and forcing my sister to be part of a production I created, with full costumes, of Jack and the Beanstalk. I was probably 5. Some of the dialogue from that is still in my head and reminds me of myself. (Jack’s mother calling)” Jack, Jack, where is that boy. Off with his head in the clouds somewhere dreaming”. I clearly remember singing solos and creating skits to perform in school concerts from a very early age. They couldn’t shut me up. Where does inspiration come from? Perhaps it was just to entertain myself or to get attention but it’s a path I always knew I would follow.

Are they the same reasons that you do it today?

There is the adage that if you could be happy doing anything else... do it. I did stop performing for over 12 years. I found the business of the business had sucked the joy out of it for me. Since returning, I again cannot imagine doing anything else. I have many other skills that I can now draw on but there is something fundamental about the need to perform, express and create.

What are the biggest challenges of the profession?

One of the biggest challenges for me is the insecurity of when will the next job come along and the sense of rejection when you’re not cast in something that you seem well suited for. It’s out of your hands and can leave you feeling a little powerless. The joy of creating and producing your own work takes care of many of those challenges and opens up a whole new variety. At least you are in control of your destiny at that point - for good or ill.

What are the rewards?

The excitement and fun of doing live theatre ~ you never really know how it’s going to go. No matter how well rehearsed, it is still being created in the moment in front of your eyes. Thrilling and terrifying. Especially when creating your own work, there is a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment to see a project through from conception to delivery. The work is very personal and is a great avenue to express how you feel and see the world.

What can audiences expect at Broadway Without Borders?

Overall, audiences can expect a hilarious, insightful and sometimes poignant evening of great singing. Despite the title, it isn’t a revue of standard Broadway show tunes. We’ve taken aspects of our own lives as struggling Canadian performers in New York City. The “without borders” refers both to trying to work as “aliens” in America and also the sources from which the musical material is drawn from. Some of the music is from known shows, some from small shows that didn’t make it, some specialty material written by Broadway composers and a few songs that have never been published.

What are your thoughts on the state of theatre in Atlantic Canada today?

Theatre in Atlantic Canada is thriving and vibrant. I think the lack of “employers” for professional actors has created an environment where theatre artists have become very creative and self-reliant. I am continually impressed by the variety of styles and content that can be seen throughout the region. It may not all be to my taste but I applaud all those who are working to express and create in an increasingly financially difficult time.