Hometown: Hartford, Wisconsin
Education: BFA in Musical Theatre from Univeristy of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
Select Credits: Rocky Horror -The Rocky Horror Show (Mercury Players Theatre), Giuseppe Naccarelli – The Light in the Piazza (Four Seasons Theatre), Frog – A Year with Frog and Toad and Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf – Into the Woods (Crane River Theatre)
Why theater?: Theater gives me the perfect outlet to express my extroverted, artistic, and collaborative personality all in one setting.
Who do you play in HELD: A Musical Fantasy?: Bardo.
Tell us about HELD: A Musical Fantasy: I’ve been describing it as a Game of Thrones-y-esque musical. I suppose it might help to elaborate on that. It’s a musical about three friends that live in a fantastical world and how their friendship changes over time.
What is it like being a part of HELD: A Musical Fantasy?: It’s been a wonderful experience. It makes my job as an actor ten times more exciting and relaxing when I get the opportunity to work with professional artists as talented as the ones that are present in this production.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I like classic shows and contemporary stuff that is straight-forward and engaging. I’m completely inspired by fellow artists who I know are up there on stage doing it for the love of the art. They don’t care if they spend their whole lives doing shows at a small community theater or on Broadway, as long as they are on stage giving 100% of themselves every time the lights are on.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Dr. Frankenfurter. Please God, let me do it someday.
What’s your favorite showtune?: Ah, too many to list just one. I do like performing “Let Me Drown” from The Wild Party.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Bryan Cranston. That man can do it all. Walter White to Zordon. I mean, come on.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself, and what would it be called?: Well, I’ve been told I look like Jake Gyllenhaal, and he’s a great actor, so him. It would be called "Damnit, Van Handel!" I’ll let you glean what you’d like from that.
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: I’d love to see the original production of My Fair Lady. I played Col. Pickering back in 7th grade (painted in white hair and eyebrows and all). It’s such a whimsical and fun show to perform and watch.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: I juuuuust moved back to NYC after spending a few years back home in Wisconsin. So, if anybody has recommendations for me I’d be happy to take them.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Buying Batman comic books and collectibles. I have a bit of a problem.
What’s up next?: Get back into the swing of things with auditioning and working on my craft now that I’m back in the game here in NYC!!