Opting out of school, jumping onto stage
Opting out of school, jumping onto stage
By Beatrice S. Paez
Kevin Vidal with Phil Skala, his partner who plays Angel in the show. PHOTO: Seanna Kennedy
No stranger to a string of unpaid gigs that marks the experience of his generation, Kevin Vidal lands his first big break after four years of dogged pursuit. He’ll be joining the stage with veteran actors of Toronto’s Second City, an improv and comedy troupe, but this week he shares the stage at the Lower Ossington Theatre’s production of “Rent.”
Award-winning rock musical, “Rent” chronicles the struggles of young artists and musicians set against the bohemian scene and haunted by the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Vidal, 22, a Toronto native will be taking on the skin of Tom Collins, a gay, anarchist philosophy instructor.
He’ll have to leave behind most of tricks as a comic to dive into the intensity of a character living with HIV. But Vidal plans on making the role into his own, adding his quirkiness to an otherwise stoic and reclusive character. The tenants of this Toronto production are drawn from across Canada, which Vidal says helps bring fresh energy into a classic hit.
Though playing Collins will be his most mature role yet, Vidal has waged his own battles and has life experiences to draw from. He opted out of the post-secondary education route and as he aptly described, “I thrust myself into the world of acting and theatre.”
Taking a break from academia was the most logical choice for a boy who never felt at home in a classroom, but found his confidence on stage even as an introvert. Growing up, he hardly received stars for his schoolwork but excelled in the dramatic arts.
“I realized I had a huge difficulty being in school, I always thought it was because I was stupid or slow,” Vidal recalled. “But then throwing myself into the world of acting, I’ve discovered a lot about the way I perform.”
When he leaves the stage, years down the road, he hopes to return to school as an elementary school teacher, to bring a different philosophy into teaching. For now, he has no plans of taking a detour from acting.
“Coming into the industry and starting fresh is sort of a big shock because you really just don’t know where to start,” Vidal told The Philippine Reporter. It was a scary decision but his mother, who had hoped her son would grow to become a lawyer or doctor, expressed her unyielding support.
Networking, said Vidal, was his secret door. His advice to young actors ready to take their first steps, “[Go] out for auditions, even if you don’t get it. Go for the experience and let the directors know who you are.”
The greatest challenge for young actors, even with his experience, is scoring a paid gig. The unpaid internship that many young professionals embark on is also not uncommon in theatre. But Kevin Vidal is on his way, clinching a coveted spot on Second City, where he’ll be sketching out new roles for himself.
Comments (1)