Today’s the day. University Commencement commences, as does “real” life for the Class of 2012! We’ve spent the last few posts profiling a few of the graduating Cabbies, particularly those that took the time to fill out our patented Cabaret Cuestionnaire! Are there more seniors than are profiled here? Of course, but interviews take time, and time is precious, particularly the time of those Cabbies that are busy being awesome, as all Cabbies are all the time.
So here it is! The final post of Cabbie Cuestionnaires! This one is entitled the “Deep Thoughts Edition,” and you’ll soon see why!
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Sabrina Blackburn is one cool cat. She dazzled audiences last season as a small boy in the Cabbie Award Winning Cloud 9 and as a small girl in the also-Cabbie Award Winning Eleemosynary. Apparently, Sabrina brings the gold with her everywhere she goes. Of course, we don’t actually give away gold statuettes or plaques, but the metaphor still stands.
Also, adorbs. Bringing back backpacks.
– Past Cabaret Credits/Roles/Jobs/Positions
Edward/Lin in Cloud 9, Juror 12 in 12 Angry Men, Echo in Eleemosynary
– Where are you from? Where would you like to live in the future?
I am from Manalapan, New Jersey, and though I am a Jersey girl, I love a change. I would love to move Rockaway Beach, Queens, or Manhattan, or Paris (Why not? Dream big!).
– Favorite Culinary Establishment in the New Brunswick Area?
I got to say Chipotle. I literally crave a burrito bowl every day of my life. I have a problem.
– Same-color or Mix-match socks?
My little nugget toes prefer not to be confined by socks but neon pink fuzzy socks are truly very comfortable.
– On what TV show would you like to guest star in a 3-episode mini-arc?
The Real Housewives of New Jersey! I can flip tables! I can get in someone’s face calling them a prostitution whore! It would be the highlight of my acting career, and quite a stretch.
Here, we see Sabrina playing a hyper-intellectual chimpanzee (is there any other kind!?) alongside fellow Cabbies Marc and Amanda during the recent Senior Showcase.
– Who do you most want to punch in the eye?
I don’t know if I could ever punch someone, but I would give Adam Sandler, Nicolas Cage, and Ben Stiller the dreaded stink eye if they ever passed me on the street.
– What’s your degree supposed to be in?
Double major in Theater and History
– What was your least favorite class at Rutgers?
Theater Practice: I planted potatoes on the Mason Gross stage. I received 2 credits. YAY!
– What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I always wanted to be an actress, but was too shy ever to express that want.
– What are you probably going to be when you grow up?
I still have the confidence to say that I will be a working actress.
– What would you like to be when you grow up?
I want to be a person who is 100% content with their life; someone who follows their passion and dreams. I want to inspire people through theater. I want to affect people and have them learn via the vehicle of the arts.
– Favorite Cabaret experience as a performer/prostaffer?
My favorite Cabaret experience was performing in the final show of Eleemosynary. It was electrifying on stage. I am my own harshest critic, but there was nothing I wanted to change about the performance after my final bow. To see my family and friends utterly moved by the show, put me in this odd state of contentful shellshock.
Sabrina “acting” alongside Jasia during Eleemosynary.
– Favorite Cabaret experience as an audience member?
Every time I see a Cabaret show, I am blown away by the prestige and caliber of these student run productions. Watching Elegies was one of the best theater experiences I have ever had. I was so moved by the beautiful simplicity of the show. The actors (who were brilliantly casted) never had to push their emotions, it was just there in that moment. Elegies + Sabrina= ugly crying
– If you could change one thing about Cabaret, what would it be?
Of course it would be having more of a budget, but I wish we could bring more college students who don’t normally see theater.
– How has Cabaret changed in your time there?
I have been at Rutgers for two years, so therefore have only seen two seasons worth of Cabaret shows. But what a two seasons they were! From Streetcar to Cloud 9, all of Cabaret shows have challenged the actors and production staff. They challenge the boundaries of Cabaret Theater and prove that there are no constraints to college theater.
– Budget & talent pool aside, what show would you most like to see Cabaret do in the future?
August: Osage County! Who cares about having a 3 story house. Cabaret could totally kick butt doing that show.
– What makes Cabaret special?
The fact that we are a completely student run organization boggles my mind. Cabaret constantly challenges us, and we challenge the theater to push its vision even further. It is a safe environment to challenge yourself artistically. When I was in high school, I never thought I could even attempt to play an 8 year boy and a lesbian in the same show. Yet, Cabaret gave me a gift to explore a new plethora of characters that I never thought were possible to play. The most special thing about Cabaret is the people. The people of Cabaret became some of my closest friends. Every member of Cabaret has impacted my life and made my college experience special.
– What has the college (theatre) experience taught you about yourself?
College theater became my college experience. When I look back to my college years, I will automatically revert to Cabaret and the fun times we have all experienced in that black box. The college theater experience has made me a more confident person. By exploring new characters in every play, I have discovered something new about my own self. Cabaret Theater has made me even more passionate for my love of theater. I am so proud of the amount of work we put into this theater.
As Edward in Cloud 9, which was directed by…
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Danny. Period. The man with the plan, Danny served as Artistic Director for Cabaret between 2009 and 2011. He ran directing workshops, he wrote plays, he co-directed productions of The Goat; Or, Who is Sylvia? and Streamers and Cloud 9 and Elegies, he acted in Lieutenant of Inishmore one time, where he had (stage) blood explode out of his eyeballs (Editor’s note: may be an exaggeration). Ask any director or actor or writer or janitor at Cabaret who they turn to for creative advice and input, and they’ll say Danny. The man is that damn good.
And his hair is absurd 85% of the time.
Danny and the cast of Cloud 9. He’s the one in the middle with the AFRO. Yeah, the one like Justin Guarini.
– Past Cabaret Credits/Roles/Jobs/Positions
Webmaster, Directors’ Scenes Coordinator, Artistic Director, General Board Representative, Actor, Director, Playwright.
– Where are you from? Where would you like to live in the future?
I am from an average suburban town in NJ. I would like to go some place beyond the northeast of the US, but I feel like I will be around here for a while.
– Favorite Culinary Establishment in the New Brunswick Area?
Houlihan’s.
[Editor’s Note: F**K HOULIHAN’S]
– Same-color or Mix-match socks?
Same color.
– On what TV show would you like to guest star in a 3-episode mini-arc?
Law and Order: SVU.
Danny with Co-Director and fellow Cabbie Spencer, looking cool on the Streamers set.
– Who do you most want to punch in the eye?
I’ve actually never had the urge to punch someone in the eye. I can sure think of a few people who are in need of a metaphorical punch in the eye, and it’s awesome when theatre does that!
– What’s your degree supposed to be in?
It’s supposed to be in Computer Science or Engineering but that didn’t work out too well. Now, it’s in something called “Humanities”? But seriously, I’m getting a degree in Information Technology and English, with a specialization in Creative Writing.
– What was your least favorite class at Rutgers?
Management of Technical Organizations. Eugh.
– What did you want to be when you were growing up?
When I was growing up I wanted to be a lawyer. These questions are making me realize how much of a cliché I am. Oh, there was a brief time in my life when I wanted to be a virologist. (This was after reading a series of mass-market fiction by Richard Preston on various horrifying infectious outbreaks.)
– What are you probably going to be when you grow up?
I will most likely get a job in the IT industry. I am hoping I can find a career that combines both my passion for technology and the arts.
– What would you like to be when you grow up?
I would like to be happy, financially comfortable! , and involved with some sort of creative field.
Despite not performing in the Senior Showcase, Danny managed to steal all the attention away anyway… @$$****.
– Favorite Cabaret experience as a performer/prostaffer?
Making friends! As much as I value the actual productions we create, I think what really matters are the friendships that are created and incubated through the production.
– Favorite Cabaret experience as an audience member?
It’s impossible to pick one! I have sat through many shows at Cabaret and there have been many times when a particular moment in a production literally sends shivers down my spine. When the body reacts so viscerally, you know the production has reached something, I don’t know, sacred? It becomes something much more than college theatre.
– If you could change one thing about Cabaret, what would it be?
Please, please, air conditioning.
– How has Cabaret changed in your time there?
Cabaret has made enormous improvements in so many different areas during my time at the theatre. It is really amazing! I also believe the theatre will definitely continue to break its own boundaries in terms of what it can achieve, both in its artistic and community endeavors.
– Budget & talent pool aside, what show would you most like to see Cabaret do in the future?
Anything by Brecht, Beckett, Pinter, Albee, Churchill, Kushner… I would also like to see more contemporary things go up, like from the past decade at least.
– What makes Cabaret special?
I think the space is very much a large part of what makes Cabaret such an amazing environment because the people who are drawn to the space, who help transform the black box into the unique world of every production, are very talented and passionate.
– What has the college (theatre) experience taught you about yourself?
So much! But most importantly, probably, is that I need a public and collaborative space where I don’t feel vulnerable for my ideas or looming questions. Cabaret not only offered me this but also showed me that the desire for such an environment is not a personal need, it’s a human one.
Here, we see Danny in his natural habitat, “directing.”
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Marc is one wild and crazy guy. This season, Marc performed in 3 out of the 5 mainstage productions, the R3Vu3, and the Senior Showcase. In other words, Cabaret 2011-2012 was Marc; Marc was Cabaret. As a handsome gentleman with genuine vocal and acting chops, Marc became a pivotal player at Cabaret starting with his performance as Jesus (?) in a re-imagined production of Godspell in the Spring of 2010. Marc’s passion for student-theatre, however, is not restricted to his on-stage prowess; Marc could often be found helping out with builds and clean-ups and pretty much in any way possible, partly because he wants the shows to be damn impressive, and partly because he’s just damn impressive as a person.
Also, he is built like Captain America.
ABS! AND ANGST! Student-theatre at it’s best.
– Past Cabaret Credits/Roles/Jobs/Positions
Spring Awakening, How I Learned to Drive, Elegies, The R3vu3, Cloud Nine, I Love You Because, Godspell.
– Where are you from? Where would you like to live in the future?
I’m from freehold, and would like to live in New York City in the near future.
– Favorite Culinary Establishment in the New Brunswick Area?
Definitely Tumulty’s. Before and after turning 21.
– Same-color or Mix-match socks?
I usually do the same color but always mix-match socks within that color.
Here’s Marc “acting” REAL HARD in Spring Awakening.
– On what TV show would like to guest star in a 3-episode mini-arc?
Malcolm in the Middle.
– Who do you most want to punch in the eye?
Genghis Khan.
– What’s your degree supposed to be in?
Supposedly Psychology, Theater minor.
– What was your least favorite class at Rutgers?
Least favorite class was Elements of Electrical Engineering (which is especially ridiculous seeing that I’m no longer and Engineering major – thanks theater). Almost vomited during the final.
– What did you want to be when you were growing up?
An Animorph!
– What are you probably going to be when you grow up?
A therapist (who helps other animorphs integrate themselves into society)
– What would you like to be when you grow up?
An actor in a marvel comic superhero movie.
– Favorite Cabaret experience as a performer/prostaffer?
When I cut off Edward’s doll Vicky’s head with a butter knife like a bad@$$ African man (mostly because I am none of those things….except a man. I’m a man.)
Here, Marc cuts the head off of Sabrina’s doll during Cloud 9.
– Favorite Cabaret experience as an audience member?
When Joel Chokkattu pulled out a gun at the end of Suburbia. FTW
– If you could change one thing about Cabaret, what would it be?
The ticketing system.
– How has Cabaret changed in your time there?
Well, it runs very differently each year but the important things are always the same, like is the sense of community for everyone who works there.
– Budget & talent pool aside, what show would you most like to see Cabaret do in the future?
Comedic plays have been too few and far between recently, so I’d like to see more comedies at Cabaret in the future.
– What makes Cabaret special?
It has what I think a lot of professional theaters work very hard to replicate: a genuine interest in collaboration, creativity, and natural connectivity between the actors in each cast. People who work in Cabaret take their work seriously while enjoying the fact that they are creating something beautiful together and they have fun getting deeper into knowing those they work with.
– What has the college (theatre) experience taught you about yourself?
It has taught me everything I know about performing. On cabaret’s stage I learned how to constantly push the envelope with what my voice, my body, and my mind can do as an actor in both straight plays and musical theater and there have been people to help me actualize that goal every step of the way. Cabaret has been a home to me, I will miss it dearly, and I know performing elsewhere will never be quite the same.
It also taught him how to SPOIL WONDERFUL GROUP PICTURES!!! WTF MARC!!!
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Boris Van Der Ree. We’d write a witty introduction for him, but we wouldn’t be able to match the histrionic profundity that he himself produces every time he speaks or writes or is present. We’ll let him do the talking in his introduction below. We will say that his mainstage directorial debut on Twelve Angry Men revolutionized the use of the Cabaret space, and he constantly schools his fellow actors everytime he graces the stage.
Look at that eyebrow. That’s some method s**t right there.
– Past Cabaret Credits/Roles/Jobs/Positions
- Spring 2009: Bradley – The Cocktail Hour
- Fall 2009: Assistant Director – Shakespeare in Hollywood
- Spring 2010: Scott – “Welcome to Caffeine World”/2nd Annual Original Play Festival
- Fall 2010: Doctor – A Streetcar Named Desire
- Fall 2010: Director – “The Sh!t Play”/3rd Annual Original Play Festival
- Fall 2010: Host – Rutgers Night Live
- Spring 2011: Harry/Martin – Cloud 9
- Fall 2011: Director – Twelve Angry Men
- Spring 2012: Male Greek Chorus – How I learned to Drive
- Spring 2012: Adult Male – Spring Awakening
– Where are you from? Where would you like to live in the future?
I was born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. At the age of five our family moved to Chester Springs Pennsylvania. And the year before my senior year of high school we moved again to Pennington New Jersey, where my family still lives today. By the end of this summer I plan to return to England, hopefully London, to try living there for a while and see how involved I can become in the theater culture there.
– Favorite Culinary Establishment in the New Brunswick Area?
Nothing beats MyWay on George Street. Cheap, delicious, abundant food, hilarious wait staff, and the most linguistically confusing menu in New Jersey.
– Same-color or Mix-match socks?
Same Color
Boris “acting” with Amanda and a cookie during How I Learned to Drive.
– On what TV show would you like to guest star in a 3-episode mini-arc?
Easy, HBO’s Game of Thrones. Been a fan of the book series since I was sixteen.
– Who do you most want to punch in the eye?
No one specifically, but anyone who acts pridefully and out of self-interest
– What’s your degree supposed to be in?
My diploma will say “Graduated with Bachelors of Arts in Communication and Theater Arts”
– What was your least favorite class at Rutgers?
Introduction to Principles of Public Relations. Not that it was a boring topic, or that it was really difficult, it was actually pretty interesting and easy. But our professor never really had a coherent syllabus in mind and the class slowly collapsed into chaos by the end of the semester. She once stopped in the middle of a lecture and said “why are you taking notes? There aren’t any more exams.”
Boris “acting” with fellow graduating cabbies Joey and Nick during Spring Awakening.
– What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I went through many phases. Lawyer, garbage man, aerospace engineer, hotel manager, but ultimately I realized that I needed to be in theatre.
– What are you probably going to be when you grow up?
Homeless, and I’m totally fine with that.
– What would you like to be when you grow up?
I would love to be a grandfather one day. It would also be nice if I had a small cafe on a quiet street in rural france.
– Favorite Cabaret experience as a performer/prostaffer?
When I directed Twelve Angry Men. I truly felt, for the first time, that I was utilizing my whole creative energy and focusing it on one piece. Few things are more gratifying.
Boris with HIS cast of 12 Angry Men.
– Favorite Cabaret experience as an audience member?
Anytime I’ve gone to Rutgers Night Live. If you’ve never gone, you’ve missed out.
– If you could change one thing about Cabaret, what would it be?
The abandoned pool in the basement would be turned into a second performance space. It would be perfect.
– How has Cabaret changed in your time there?
Policies have changed, people have changed, the lobby has been renovated, the floors redone. I’ve seen it all over the past four years. But the spirit has never changed, and that’s why I call it a home.
– Budget & talent pool aside, what show would you most like to see Cabaret do in the future?
Glengarry Glen Ross. I f**king love that s**t.
– What makes Cabaret special?
No one else on earth does exactly what we do. Cabaret has given me and countless others the opportunity to be creatively liberated without the pressures of critics or the professional theatre world. That is enormously valuable. Cabaret is a safe place, and not once have I ever felt alone there, even if I was the only one in the building.
– What has the college (theatre) experience taught you about yourself?
That I both love and hate theatre. Sometimes I would do anything to save the art form and to practice it regularly, but the other half of the time I want nothing more than to see a show close. It is this process of creation and destruction that makes theatre so dynamic and alive, and in turn, makes me feel more alive than anywhere else.
A favorite photo here at Inside Cabaret.
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Check out the other Cabbie Cuestionnaires below!
Three Lovely Ladies
1-4-9
Again!
Backstage Edition
A Letter to the Class of 2012
Otherwise, it’s been a real pleasure working with for you all, true believers. We hope you’ve enjoyed the commentary and interviews and pictures and all the other stuff. We happily bequeath the cabaret blog over to the newly appointed Social Media Director (Abigail!), and… yeah.
So that’s it. Finito. Complete. Done. Adios. Peace out. TTFN. IC OUT DAWG!
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