Eric Engelstein '10, who is currently majoring in Psychology and Theater and minoring in Classical?Studies, was recently cast to play Chuck in this semester's Brandeis Theater Company production of Everything in the Garden. The play is directed by Prof. Eric Hill (THA) and will take place on Oct. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 and 18 (see calendar for details). Engelstein has also appeared in the Brandeis Ensemble Theatre's performance of Eric Bogosian's subUrbia, which was staged in spring 2008.JustArts: You're a senior, and you've been doing theater here at Brandeis for more than three years now. How do you plan to continue with theater after you graduate? Or are you going to do something completely different?
Eric Engelstein: As of now, I'm still unsure if I want to get into theater or film. I'm most likely going to do a combination of both of them but after last year I started leaning more towards film. A group of Theater major seniors are putting on a showcase in [New York] at the end of the semester to see if we can get some agents. Hopefully it will prove successful. Sadly, the Theater department will not support us in this endeavor, but the Theater teachers are there for us and helping us get ready for it. Depending on how that does, I am planning on either moving to [New York] or [Los Angeles] after I graduate. I also want to become a bartender and have already obtained a degree in mixology.
JA: Did you always have an interest in theater, or did you discover it at Brandeis?
EE: I've always had a interest in theater. One of my earliest memories is me with my fake guitar set and microphone rocking out in the middle of the living room.
JA: Did Brandeis' theater instruction and culture influence your decision to come to Brandeis?
EE: Truthfully, I still wonder why I ever applied to Brandeis. Not that I don't like it, and I think it's a great school, with major flaws, of course. But thinking back, I remember applying but not having any reason to. I had never looked into anything about 'Deis; I guess it called out to me. I have come to really enjoy the theater community at 'Deis. When talking about the Theater department, I think they need to open up more to the undergrads.
JA: What can you tell us about your role in Everything in the Garden? Is it similar/different to your previous roles? Have you done any special preparations for it?
EE: Have you ever been to one of those parties where every couple is trying to outdo the other and show how they are better? All fake, all smiles, all buddy-buddy. In the play there are four married couples, and I play Chuck, one of the husbands. The role is a stereotypical role, as are the other married couples, not including the main characters. But this doesn't mean we can play them as their stereotypes; rather, we have to find a deeper meaning for our characters.
My role as Chuck is considerably different than the roles I usually get. I usually play more serious characters that are in my age range. Have I done any special preparations? No, not really, nothing out of the ordinary. Actually, I've done less for this role than I usually do. That doesn't mean I haven't thought about the role and tried to figure out the mind and characteristics of my character.
JA: Are you in any other productions this year?
EE: As of yet I am not. I decided to take a light semester for once and did not try out for any other shows. Actually, I might jump on an opportunity to be in another production if it comes up this semester.