Curtain Cuties: Ward Billeisen

This week's Curtain Cutie is Ward Billeisen who plays Brick Hawvermale, one of the actors in the show within the the new musical Curtains, starring David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk. I couldn't keep my eyes off him in the big dance numbers -- of which there are plenty. He was so lively and charismatic on stage that you would never know he had just come back from a major foot injury. He's so brave! We became acquainted over email and here's what he had to say...

We'll start off easy. How old are you?

28

What is your theatrical training?

I attended AMDA here in NYC 10 years ago and graduated early from the program to start working professionally. Otherwise I learn as I go. It's amazing how much you can learn from your peers, coworkers and the experience at hand.

Where are you from?

Born in Denver, Colorado. I lived in Longmont, CO until I was about eight, and then Littleton, CO until I moved to Sierra Vist, AZ for the last few years of high school. Been in NY ever since!

Why did you want to become an actor?

My brother used to make me and my sister perform Christmas shows for my mom and dad. I loved making them laugh and feel good. It was always a great time for my family. We were always creating something when we were little and I think it was just meant to be. Everything just fell into place for me. It was my mom that really helped me realize that I could do it if I wanted to.  I love to bring people on journeys that they don't expect to go on.  If I have made a person laugh or cry or just follow what my character is going through then I have done my job. That is why I am an actor.

What's the funniest/most embarrassing thing that's happened to you while on stage?

Aside from the occasional un-zipped fly... I was in Hello Dolly and I had about ten friends in the audience from school. I was so excited for them to see me in a "professional" show that I gave just a little too much energy to my entrance. (Skipping, mind you.) I got to the center of the stage and caught my heel and slipped. Both feet up in the air, it felt like slow motion, slamed my tail bone so hard on stage and had no idea what to do. In that brilliant moment I thought it would be a good idea to play patty cake with my self!!! Yeah! Patty cake!!!  I have not heard the end of it to this day!

If you had to give up acting what would you do instead?

I am very much into interior design and I love construction so I would love to put that to use. Choreographing and directing are also something I would love to get more into.

What's the most glamorous thing about being on Broadway?

Walking out of the stage door and meeting people that I have just performed for and seeing their smiles and amazing energies radiating because they had such a fun time and want to hold on to it for as long as they can.  Saying hello and signing autographs -- it's my way of taking some of it back with me. To know that I have touched their lives in anyway makes my day worth it!

What do you have to have in your dressing room?

The usual: warm up clothes, pictures and cards and flowers when I am lucky!

What's the best part about being in Curtains? And how long have you been involved with the production?

It is an original production! I wanted so badly to be in an original cast and be a part of all the changes and see how a great show gets put together. Like I said before, it is amazing how much you can learn from the experience. I have been a part of the production since the world premier in L.A. I couldn't be working with a more wonderful group of people, from the creators and producers to the stars and ensemble members and the beautiful people behind the scenes, we are a big family. It is a dream come true!

What were you doing before you got the call to be in Curtains?

I was coming off a very long recovery from a broken foot. (I broke it dancing on stage.) I was so terrified to start dancing again but I had the best people around me to help me get back into it. It was all meant to be!

Above is a pic of him in a scene from Curtains (he's the one laying down in blue), and I've also included his headshot for a closer view.