The following interview for Backstage’s on-camera series The Slate was compiled in part by Backstage readers just like you! Follow us on Twitter (@Backstage) and Instagram (@backstagecast) to stay in the loop on upcoming interviews and to submit your questions.
Kicking off his acting career by landing the lead role in Broadway’s “Dear Evan Hansen” during his sophomore year of high school, Andrew Barth Feldman has proven he is a showstopping performer. Better yet? His skills don’t just apply to the stage. In early 2020, Feldman was cast on Disney+’s “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” which is currently airing its second season, and during the pandemic, he starred in “Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical.” To top off all of his shiny accomplishments at the mere age of 19, Feldman will be headed to Harvard University this fall, and he took over our Instagram to answer your questions about it all! The edited conversation below is an inside look at what Feldman had to say about nailing an audition, transitioning from live theater to TV, and working on the hit Disney+ series.
How ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ Makes Those Dance Numbers Happen How do you make yourself stand out in auditions?
You have to bring yourself to the room, because if you’re not meant to get this job, if you’re not the right person, then you don’t want that job. They don’t want you for that job. You have to be yourself, while of course embodying the character. But you have to do your version.
What was your favorite part of “Dear Evan Hansen” to perform? Or, as an audience member, watch?
My favorite part of “Dear Evan Hansen” to perform was “If I Could Tell Her” because there’s so much beauty in the simplicity of that song. In that sort of down moment for Evan, we get a real, real human moment for Evan and Zoe. Probably my favorite to watch, too.
How did you get the role of Evan Hansen?
Kind of a really ridiculous story. I got the chance to win the Jimmy Awards because I played Frank Jr. in my high school’s production of “Catch Me If You Can.” [The awards were] sponsored by “Dear Evan Hansen,” so the producers saw me and asked me to come audition. It was just one audition.
How do I become a movie or film actor with zero experience acting?
Get experience! There is theater and film happening all around you. Get experience! Go to classes. It’s easy. They’re all around you. I promise. You just have to seek it out. You can do it.
Is it too late to start acting school at 25 years old with no experience?
It’s never too late to start on whatever it is you want to do and get an experience. You have time. Your life bears no more meaning now than it will later or it did before. This is the moment. Do it if you want to do it. Absolutely.
What’s motivated you to stay so creative over the last year?
So much of it has been being able to distract myself. Now I know what I do when I’m alone in a room, and it’s that I make a bunch of stuff because I need to be making stuff and distracting myself.
While Prepping for ‘Dear Evan Hansen,’ Jordan Fisher Learned That Everyone Can Benefit From Therapy How to find auditions without an agent?
Backstage.com…Backstage.com…Backstage.com!
What was the hardest part of transitioning from theater to TV?
What I get to do in “HSM” with this character Antoine is so much fun, especially compared to how difficult Evan was. I think saying something a bunch of times and trusting that I get to do it again and then forgetting the words forever is the opposite of theater.
What your favorite “Broadway Whodunit” you’ve created?
I’m most proud of “Michael Park presents Michael Park’s Michael Park.” That was just so much fun, and there were so many twists and turns. I think probably my favorite was “All Hollow’s Eve.”
What advice would you give to yourself when you started acting?
Best piece of advice was actually from Tony Roberts at the stage door for “Xanadu,” when I was, like, 14. He was like, “You wanna be an actor?” and I was like, “Yeah!” And he was like, “Don’t do it!” I think every young actor should be told not to do it, because then if they still do it, it’s because they really want to and need to.
When do you leave for Harvard?
I move in at the end of August!
What’s your favorite HSMTMTS song from Season 1?
“Looking for You” is literally my No. 1 song from 2020, the Josh, Olivia, and Matt version. In terms of original songs, you’ve gotta go with “All I Want” or “Wondering,” maybe. So hard!
Were you nervous to meet the cast of “HSM:TM:TS” and work with them?
So nervous! They were the first people I saw in real life outside of COVID. Not to mention I love them so much and their characters so much, and I was meeting their characters, too. They couldn’t have been more welcoming and wonderful. It was just the most fun experience.
Looking for remote work? Backstage has got you covered! Click here for auditions you can do from home!
