This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Syracuse chapter.

Tell me who do ya love, man? It must be “Hair” star and FYP PR Director Andrew Martini!

Major: Public Relations

Year: Junior

You are starring as “Claude” in What Theatre’s production of “Hair” this semester. How is the experience thus far?

It has been such an amazing experience for me. “Hair” is one of my favorite musicals of all time, and Claude has been a dream part of mine for so long. Getting the chance to both perform in this show and portray this character means the world to me. The creative team has set up such a great place for us to get creative and make this show our own, which is so important with a show as free-form as “Hair.”

How do you relate to and differ from your character in “Hair”?

Claude and I are very similar in a lot of ways, which is why I relate to him so much. Claude is a very happy-go-lucky young guy trying to find himself. I think a lot of people can relate to that. I used the music from “Hair” and specifically the character of Claude to help me through a time in my life where I needed to find myself. Claude is often overwhelmed by his sense of being lost, though, instead of looking toward the future to find himself.

How does “Hair” compare to other musical theatre productions? (like is it wackier, louder, historical, etc?)

“Hair” is so different from most musical theatre productions and that’s so important. The way the music is structured, the choreography and the topics it addresses are all different than your typical musical. It’s an exploration of this counterculture movement in the 1960s but it’s so strikingly relevant nowadays. A college audience will find so many things throughout the show that resonate with them very clearly.

Along with What Theatre, you are the PR Director of the First Year Players. How has being involved in FYP impacted your college experience?

It sounds so dramatic but FYP has impacted my college experience in so many different ways and I am eternally grateful. Syracuse felt like home from the very beginning for me but I truly didn’t know what it felt like to have so many people genuinely love and support you until I joined FYP. It is a community of so many creative, talented and unbelievably generous people. I owe so much to FYP and giving back as a member of the executive board is the least I can do for an organization that has been there for me every step of the way.

What does FYP have in store for Syracuse this year?

This is such an exciting year for FYP! As we announced, we are putting on “Heathers: The Musical” this spring and I’m just so excited for that! It’s a musical unlike any we’ve ever done before. Right now, we have some great workshops going on for those who want to get a glimpse of what the rehearsal process might be like or get prepared for their audition. Additionally, we have general interest meetings coming up as well! So much preparation goes into putting on this show and so many people are already hard at work making sure things are ready to go next semester.

What does your current pump-up playlist look like?

Okay, THIS is embarrassing but I truly only listen to show tunes. My iTunes is 80-90% musical theatre songs. So my current pump-up playlist is the “Hamilton” soundtrack, Lin Manuel Miranda’s latest hit. It gets better every time I listen to it.

Goals Post ‘Cuse: I would love to be working for an off-Broadway theatre company in their literary department.

Guilty Pleasure: Reality competition shows.

If you could live in any era, when would it be?

Maybe it’s Claude talking but I’m thinking the 1960s.

Hidden Talent: This is also embarrassing. I can name every winner of the “Best Musical” Tony Award.

Something you’re probably too old to do but you do it anyways: I watch The Parent Trap at least once a month. One of my top 10 favorite movies.

What soothes your soul? A really good book.

If you could bring any five people to Sky Zone for an afternoon of jumping, who would you choose?

Amy Poehler, Billy Eichner, Joe Biden, Mindy Kaling, and Stephen Sondheim. (He’s 85, but this is my fantasy. He’s jumping around.)

What has Freshman Year taught you?

Making mistakes is okay because you’ll learn from them and soon they’ll mean nothing to you.

Motto: “You win some, you lose some.”

What are you most looking forward to this semester?

I’m looking forward to “Hair” on December 9th & 11th, as well as spreading the word about FYP and preparing for our new first years!

Campus Celeb Andrew Martini

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