Young singer/actor Michael Arden is currently starring in the Old Globe original musical “Ace” about World War I and II aviation heroes. The 24-year-old plays John Robert, a pilot. Last year he starred in the Globe musical “The Times They Are A-Changin'” and repeated his role on Broadway. We sat down at the Globe Rehearsal Hall to talk.
JCH: Where were you born and where did you go to school?
Michael Arden: I was born and raised in Midland, Texas, which is a really, really small oil town. For my last two years of high school, I went to boarding school in Interlochen, Michigan. Then I went to Juilliard in New York.
JCH: Did you want to get into show business when you were a little boy?
MA: I went through a phase of wanting to be a lawyer for five minutes and I wanted to go into the priesthood for a split second. Starting in high school, I knew I wanted to be in this field in some way. The first show I ever saw was ‘Big River’ and I was hooked. It’s funny because that ended up being the first show I did on Broadway. I was transported the first time I saw it.
JCH: How did you learn to sing?
MA: I always loved singing in the shower! I studied a little bit of voice when I was in high school. I sang in the choir. But I didn’t sing all through college because Juilliard is strictly an acting program. I’ve been lucky enough to work in musicals lately. It’s something I love to do but am not necessarily trained to do. I consider myself an actor first and foremost.
JCH: What’s your impression of the Old Globe?
MA: I’ve been lucky to work on Broadway and to come here to a place I love. I think the Globe does amazing work. As a testament, they’ve done shows that have moved on to Broadway. I just did ‘The Times They Are A-Changin” here last year, which we then did on Broadway. The Globe is the best. I’d say it’s ‘Broadway West.’
JCH: Do you like living the life of a gypsy?
MA: The life of an actor truly is, in all sense of the word, that of a gypsy. You never know where you might have to go next weekend. It’s exciting and it’s a blessing and thrilling to be able to challenge yourself with something new. It’s also terrifying because there is no security in acting. It’s frightening, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. It’s worth it.
JCH: Isn’t it hard to have any kind of a relationship?
MA: It’s hard for a lot of actors because you are away a lot. Whether it’s friends or a personal relationship, it’s a difficult thing. Just when you start a relationship, you might have to be away from each other. I think that’s why you find a lot of actors with other actors because they understand that lifestyle.
JCH: Have you seen the tough side of show business?
MA: Oh, yeah. The rejection. For every one show I get, there are 30 I’ve auditioned for and they say no! It’s not like you’re selling a vacuum and they don’t want a vacuum. You are selling yourself. It’s never fun to hear, ‘I don’t want you!’ It’s the worst possible rejection because your product is yourself.
JCH: Are you interested in doing films?
MA: I haven’t done much of it but I love film. I have a small part in ‘The Good Shepherd.’ I sing in a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta with Matt Damon at the beginning of the movie. It may be on the cutting-room floor! I did a small, independent movie shot inside a cave in Kentucky called ‘Underground.’ I’ve done guest shots on TV shows like ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Numbers.’ I hope to have a varied career and do movies and theater. I’ve done some commercials, too.
JCH: Is it easy for you to talk to people you don’t know?
MA: I’m actually sort of shy. I don’t approach many strangers on the street. But I’m not afraid of people. I’m shy in person but not on stage.
JCH: Have you been out to La Jolla since you have been here?
MA: Yes, I went out last year. It’s a beautiful, beautiful place. La Jolla Cove is just gorgeous. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world, I would say. I’m definitely going to go paragliding over the cliffs. I didn’t go last year because I got a little nervous. And this year when I arrived I had an emergency appendectomy, so I’m recovering from that. I want to see more of La Jolla this time.”
“Ace” runs at the Old Globe Jan. 13-Feb. 18. For tickets and information, visit www.theoldglobe.org or call (619) 23-GLOBE.
