Part II: Gideon Glick: The Plays and OUT Magazine
Jeff: Was leaving Spring Awakening a
difficult decision? What was that final show like? Do you still
stay in touch with the original cast?
Gideon: Leaving was very difficult. I moved to NYC from
Philadelphia and graduated high school doing the show Off-Broadway. The cast
and the people associated with Spring Awakening were the first people
I had met in the city. At the time of my departure, they were my oldest friends
in New York. Consequently, the final show was very moving. It was hard to keep
from crying. We still stay in touch and check in.
Speech and Debate
Jeff: You have also done a couple of high profile plays, Speech
and Debate and Wild Animals You Should Know, that deal with
similar themes. For those who didn't see them, tell us about each of the
characters you played, and what each play is about.
Gideon: Speech and Debate told the story of three
misfits finding and needing each other, for better or for worse, in Salem,
Oregon. My character was named, Howie. He was an out and proud senior who had
just moved for his final year of school from Portland to the more conservative
city of Salem.
Wild Animals You Should Know told the story of
a golden boy named Matthew who tests the boundaries of his attraction and
sexuality to dangerous degrees. I played Matthew’s best friend, Jacob. Jacob
had come out at an early age was terribly enamored with Matthew. Their
relationship was predicated on Jacob’s subjugation until, one night, Matthew
pushed the boundaries too far with their closeted Boy Scout leader.
Jeff: What are the challenges of performing plays that
deal with such controversial material? Despite the challenges, why do you
think these plays were important enough for you to do?
Gideon: Both of the characters were what drew me to these
plays. They are both characters who are not dealing with issues of coming out
or are plagued by demons of their own sexuality. They are both strong and
individualized. I came out an early age, like both characters, and I felt a
desire to tell their stories.
Wild Animals You Should Know
Jeff: In all three shows we've talked about, you've played
characters struggling/dealing with being gay and what that means in everyday
living. Still, each are unique. As an openly gay actor, how does
this inform decisions you make for these characters? Have you drawn on
personal experiences?
Gideon: Ernst was questioning who he was. Jacob and Howie
were not. They knew who they were. Because I came out an early age I knew what
it was like to be in high school and middle school and not have doubts or
qualms with the fact that I was attracted to the same sex. It made
understanding Jacob and Howie much easier.
Jeff: One of the "perks" of playing these roles
has to have been being named one of the OUT 100 - congrats! How did that
come about? Tell us about the photo shoot.
Gideon: Thank you! I’ve known the OUT staff since I moved to
the city. They simply asked! The photo shoot was very fun. It was originally
advertised as a group shot with Jordan Roth, Jon Robbie Baitz, Walter Bobbie,
and Terrence McNally. I was just trying not to feel tiny in a room with men I
not only admire, but also who have made a far larger stamp in the theatre
community than I have.
Jeff: I read that you have been out since seventh grade.
Looking back on it, how did your family react to the news? Do you
think being out has affected your career? With all of the recent news
about bullying and suicide and gay teens, do you participate in events and
charities that support these issues? (Like the "It Gets Better"
campaign and the like). What responsibility do you think high profile
openly gay people like you, and every day openly gay people like me, have in
speaking/acting out against gay bullying and discrimination?
Gideon: I have been blessed with a very supportive family.
I’m quite lucky. I’ve always been out so it was never a question to hide it.
I’m sure it’s affected my career to some extent. I’ve played a lot of gay
characters, and it’s easy for people to box you in. My main concern in life has
always been to be honest with myself, my friends, my family, and to make my
characters honest. I’ve done some volunteer work for the Trevor Project. I’d
like to do more. I’d like to start training so I can man the phones for Trevor’s
suicide hotline. I think everyone has a responsibility to better society. Being
gay connects us to a cause easily.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE TREVOR PROJECT GO TO: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Coming Soon: Part 3: Spider-Man and Into the Woods and Part 4: Gideon on Film and the Internet
BEFORE YOU GO... Be sure to vote in this week's HOT or NOT Poll! Click on the logo at the top right of the page!
Jeff
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