Ask an Apprentice: Seth Ajani

APT: Hello, Seth! Thanks for chatting with us! How has your first summer at APT gone so far?
Ajani: Well, hi! First APT summer has been going well! I hear that this is one of the worst Spring Green “bug” summers ever, but excluding the swarms of mosquitoes it’s been nothing short of beautiful.

APT: Hey, the bugs get better in the fall. Would you mind sharing with our audience a little about yourself and your journey to APT this season?
Ajani: I am originally from Cambridge, Maryland! Growing up I loved to sing, but never truly considered performance as a career path. Started acting during my sophomore year of high school, and decided this was what I wanted to do with my life about a year and a half later. I just graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where my class was fortunate enough to be visited by Mrs. Brenda DeVita! A connection was made, and the rest is history.

APT: That's great! We're so glad you're here. For folks who might not know, you're one of this season's outstanding Acting Apprentices! Could you give us a peek behind the curtain as to what that means for your day-to-day?
Ajani: Absolutely! First thing in the morning for the majority of the summer, the five of us made our way to the Alpha rehearsal space for our 9:30 AM Apprentice Slot! We were blessed to have workshops from some of the best voice and text professionals in the country, brilliant movement coaches, and even playwright and director Aaron Posner. After class, we made our way up the Hill for rehearsal from 12-5 PM, and then a show at night! Nowadays however, we are preparing for our Apprentice Project! On September 22nd, the five of us will be putting on a completely self devised piece with an anchor in the works of Shakespeare. We are very excited and have been working hard on it, hope to see you there!

APT: Thanks for the reminder about the upcoming Apprentice Project! Can't wait to see how it turns out. You mentioned some highlights from the summer. Have there been any favorite light-bulb moments from the past couple months, either in apprentice classes or just in general, that you'll take with you after this season?
Ajani: Now that we’re in the back half of the season, all the shows are open, and our Apprentice classes are through, I can confidently say that our Audition workshop with Brenda was a moment that made me think long and hard about my craft. Acting is an art form, and all artists who are committed to their form will continue to learn and evolve as long as they live. The frustrating thing about that however, is when you end up circling back to something you thought you learned already. The basics of acting are something that no actor will ever be able to escape. Authenticity, listening, and breath. I’ve found great comfort in talking to some of the more seasoned actors that are around this season, and hearing them say that as long as you act, you’ll always be chasing the same things over and over. Like I said, that fact can be frustrating, but the larger part of me finds it beautiful. I fall back in love with this thing every day and couldn’t be in a better place to facilitate that.

Rasell Holt, Seth Ajani & James Ridge, Much Ado About Nothing, 2024. Photo by Liz Lauren.

APT: That's really insightful. You sing BEAUTIFULLY in both Ring Round the Moon and Much Ado About Nothing this season! Have you always had a passion for music and singing?
Ajani: First of all, thank you! I appreciate that! Yes, I have almost always loved to sing. My mother has many stories of my kindergarten teachers telling her about me singing songs in class I had memorized by accident from the radio in our car. Recently I found an old notebook with some of the first songs I ever wrote in it, that was nice to look back on! I started singing chorally in middle school, and the rest is history! I began playing guitar in the fifth grade, then I quit because I didn’t like the structure of lessons. I picked it back up in high school, and have been self taught since then. Music is a large part of my core artistry, and is something I want to not just perform, but make for the rest of my life.

APT: How cool! When you're not working on the next project or in rehearsal, what do you like to do in your free time? Any fun hobbies or passions that might surprise people?
Ajani: Songwriting and Music Production is probably not a surprise to anyone. I write poetry as well, and am beginning to dip my toe into the playwriting/screenwriting worlds. I am also an avid volleyball player! I started playing recreationally during college and have found much joy in it. I rollerskate a lot when I can as well.

APT: Next time we'll have to get you to rollerskate on stage. What's one thing you're looking forward to doing during the rest of your time in the area?
Ajani: Hoping to explore a bit more of Madison! I’ve been to a few spots but have yet to go on an adventure there. I still haven’t made it to House on the Rock either…

APT: We've still got a month! Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Ajani: Just that I’m ridiculously grateful to the community that surrounds APT! Everyone that I have come across this summer has been exceptionally kind and welcoming. You all make the town what it is, and as much Spring Green wouldn’t be what it is without APT, APT wouldn’t be nearly as special without the community that supports it. Thank you, thank you, thank you.