Name: George Nave
Year: Senior
Major: History and political science, English minor
Activities: Student Government, Honors Program, Academic Honesty Board, President of Alpha Psi Omega, and member of seven additional honor societies.
Favorites:
Color: Blue
Food: Shepherd’s Pie
Book: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Musical: Next to Normal
Actor: David Tennant
Role you’ve ever played: Princeton and Rod in “Avenue Q” Â
What is your role in “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying”? Can you talk a little bit about it?
I play J. Pierrepont Finch, who really is an interesting character, to be honest. He starts out as a window washer and reads a book called “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and decides to go into business. The thing is, though, he really doesn’t do anything but smooth talk his way out of situations and scheme his way up the corporate ladder to the point where he goes from a window washer to a junior executive in about one week. He does absolutely nothing in terms of contributing to the business and still somehow manages to rise in the business, which I guess is all a part of his cunning and charm. He’s a really fun and witty character to portray and his ploys really drive the show. To see his personality and schemes manifest themselves in the show is really a lot of fun.
What are you most excited about for opening night?
I’m just really excited to see it all come together. This has been probably one of the biggest shows we’ve ever done here so I can’t wait to be a part of the end product. I’m also stoked for the audiences. One of my favorite parts of doing the shows has always been seeing the reactions of the audience and making sure they have a good time. I always look forward to entertaining everyone.
Have you always been interested in theater? What’s your journey been to the Cabrini stage?
I started theater my freshman year of high school. I was really small and shy when I went to high school and I was really scared and worried about making friends, so I figured doing something like the shows would make my transition a little easier. After I found my niche in the theatre, I just kind of took off and I’ve been enjoying it ever since. I really wanted to continue that when I went to college and I was lucky enough that Cabrini gave me that opportunity. Now, coming up on my last show here, I can honestly say that theater has been such a pivotal part of my life and I have no regrets about any of it. It has helped shape me into the individual I am today, and I’m glad I stuck with it for so long.
What’s the most challenging part of being involved in theater?
The most challenging thing is probably learning everything. From set designs to lines to choreography to music and lyrics to set and costume change, there is so much that goes into every single show that needs to be memorized. It’s almost like the entire thing, onstage and offstage, is like a well-oiled machine that needs everything in a specific spot to keep going. One hiccup can throw off the whole thing. Getting all that down can be challenging, but it’s all part of the experience.
And the most fun?
The most fun is definitely experiencing it all with the people around you. I have met some fantastic people here, some of which I really consider like family to me, and sharing the experience with them makes everything so much more fun and worthwhile. Though it’s a long and often strenuous process, we all have so much fun, laugh and just generally have a great time. All of which makes performing the shows and giving the audiences a good time that much more worth it.
Personally, what’s the best part about being an actor, especially one that performs live?
The best part would have to be the spontaneous nature of live theater. I really love improv and fixing things when they go wrong on stage. I don’t know, I’ve always had a knack for thinking on my feet very quickly to rectify situations. It’s pretty neat that everything on stage can collapse if one line is missed, but it’s even cooler to see how you can react accordingly and fix it to get the show back up on its feet and on track.
I feel as though that’s what really separates live actors from screen actors. Yes, screen actors can improvise and directors can keep it if they like it, but they get as many shots as they need to get it right. When you’re a stage actor, you get one shot, which, to me, makes everything a stage actor does that much more impressive. It’s so much fun being on stage doing everything live because it also shows that you’re not hiding any talent behind a camera lens or screen gimmicks or soundboard. Everything is done one time live, and you have one chance to get it right until the next show. It’s riveting stuff.
Who are your biggest influences?Â
My biggest influences are definitely my parents and my mom-mom. My parents have always worked so hard in every aspect of their lives to give their family everything, and I admire that so much and try to emulate them. They have always supported everything I do and I’m incredibly grateful for everything they’ve done. My mom-mom is the cutest, sweetest little lady you’ll ever meet and she has always encouraged me to do theatrical work since I was little. She used to own a dance studio and was a professional tap dancer and every time I would go over her house when I was little, she would put on music and would have me dance with her. Even to this day, I still dance with her when music comes on. She’s the best and has always encouraged me to be the best I can be.
If you could play any role in musical history, who would it be? Why?
If I could play any role it would be Frank Abagnale Jr. from “Catch Me If You Can.” Frank is such a cool role. He’s a comedic and dramatic character who has an awesome story to tell, along with incredible songs to sing, dances to dance and people to con. He’s one of my favorite characters in theatre (and movies, as well) and I would love to play him. It would be an incredible thing to accomplish.
What advice would you give to anyone who wants to become involved in theater?
Don’t hesitate. It’s a fantastic environment where you’ll not only have so much fun, but you’ll improve yourself in so many aspects of your life. Theatre has made me such a better person, and I strongly believe that if it can do that to me, it can have that effect on anyone.
Photo taken by Theresa Paesani