Name: Dan Ahl
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Middletown, NJ
Major: Computer Science
Why He’s A Celeb: Dan Ahl has been starring in many MCCTA productions ever since his freshman year from “The Princess King” and “Death and Taxes” to “The Diary of Anne Frank” to the most recent production, “The Wizard of Oz.”
Her Campus : So, you were recently in the MCCTA Production “The Wizard of Oz” as the Cowardly Lion. What was that like?
DA: It was a good time. I enjoyed making the kids laugh and being a complete doofus, basically, I got to do a silly voice and people cheered me for it instead of yelling “Shut up!” like they normally do.
HC: Before that, you played Peter in MCCTA’s “The Diary of Anne Frank.” What was it like playing such a serious role?
DA: It was pretty intense. I’d never worked with Jim Steinmeyer before, and he’s a pretty fantastic director. It was a great acting exercise because Peter is the opposite of me. He’s not outgoing, ridiculously awkward, and lives in an Annex.
HC: So, you’ve played such a variety of serious and goofy roles! What’s been your favorite show that you’ve acted in?
DA: My favorite show was Cabaret, I played a Nazi (Ernst Ludwig) and he was a really interesting part because the first half of the show he’s a charismatic oddball; he’s the comic relief. But halfway through he’s revealed as a Nazi. I got to be the comic relief and the villain all in one show and that was a blast.
HC: Have you always been a part of theatre?
DA: Technically, the first thing I did in theatre was 5th grade. I was George Washington in “Shh, We’re Writing the Constitution” and I remember nothing else about that *laughs*. I did theatre in middle school but I got really into in high school and I’ve been doing it ever since.
HC: What are some of your dream roles?
DA: I want to be any character in “Rumors”, seriously, guy or girl. It’s such a funny show, they did it my freshman year and I understudied for it. I definitely want a chance to do that. I want to play Barry Goldberg on Meet the Goldbergs because I’ve heard he’s a lot like me, he’s a big goofball and a moron. Those are the two that come to mind.
HC: Besides acting, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
DA: I like video games, as every guy my age does. I also freaking love cartoons. Any cartoons are awesome from adult cartoons like Archer or even ones meant for kids, like Gravity Falls. I also hang out with friends, and can I say get turnt?
HC: What is an interesting fact about you?
DA: I’m not interesting. I was born in Brooklyn but you wouldn’t guess it, that’s kind of cool I guess. Can I lie? I once saved a burning baby from a burning kitten that was stuck in a tree. Everything was on fire.
HC: What were you like as a child?
DA: I was surprisingly quiet in school, which you wouldn’t get from me now and then really freaking obnoxious at home. I was like a ball, I was just chubby as hell. I’d roll around the house being obnoxious.
HC: Describe yourself in three words!
DA: That’s kind of a big question, man. I would say funny, I consider myself a funny guy. I’d also say lazy and lovable. I’m so lovable, look at me, I’m freakin’ adorable.
HC: What are some of your biggest pet peeves?
DA: My pet peeves are how annoyed people get at the word “moist.” Calm down, it’s a word! I hate when people compare things to nails on a chalkboard, that’s the worst. Have you ever heard that? I hate that. I also don’t like people who don’t stand up for themselves, people who just kind of float through life and don’t do what they wanna do.
HC: If you could have any job in the world, real or not, what would it be?
DA: Is millionaire a job? No, wait–billionaire. I mean, I actually really do like computer science so probably running my own company and having invented the next big whether it’s an app or something technological, I don’t know.
HC: What’s something you’re afraid of?
DA: Oh, that’s deep. Not heights, but falling off of things. The actual act of falling and hitting the ground at high speeds.
HC: Favorite movie?
DA: I freaking love movies. Oh God, that’s hard. For a long time my favorite movie was “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.” There’s nothing like it. I love Edgar Wright as a director. It’s like part comic book, part video game, part music. It’s so crazy. If you haven’t seen it, you should check it out. I could go on forever for this, I can’t answer this question. There’s too many movies I love.
HC: Something on your bucket list?
DA: This isn’t really a bucket list thing but just travel the world as much as possible. I’ve only been outside of the U.S. once. I went to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls so, really, I barely left.
HC: Favorite meal of all time?
DA: I love seafood, so, any meal that consists of fish is so good. Sushi, stuffed clams, shrimp, stuffed shrimp, coconut shrimp, ugh, yeah.