Quick Chat: Acting Apprentice Jack Schmitt

The Quick Chat series is where we dive into the life and times of APT’s finest. Each interview will supply insights ranging from the obviously relevant to the vaguely strange. This week features APT Acting Apprentice Jack Schmitt, who is appearing as Duke Senior’s Lords in As You Like It, a Barista in The Recruiting Officer and an Officer in Measure for Measure this season. 

APT: Tell us about yourself: Where you’re from, where you live now and how your path led you to APT?

Jack: I’m from Cleveland, Ohio by way of Washington, DC; growing up in Northern Virginia before moving in middle school to Ohio. I returned to DC for college, studying theatre and government at Georgetown University, and upon graduating I worked in the non-profit sector for a couple years. My first jobs were truly engaging, but they prioritized my knowledge of political science and I slowly realized how desperately I missed the world of theater. So I applied and auditioned for acting apprenticeships, landing first at Actors Theatre of Louisville, and now, APT!

APT: This is your first season here! What’ve been the best, and most challenging parts of your experience thus far?

Jack: The best and most challenging part of my experience has definitely been working Up the Hill. I’ve never done outdoor theater before — let alone performed to a house of its size at almost 1100 people! It’s a thrill in the strongest sense of the word. I’m still learning how to best maneuver myself in the space, how I can be heard most clearly throughout the house, and how to work through the elements (rain, humidity, mosquitoes, etc). But they are called “The Great Outdoors” for a reason! There’s nothing like seeing the stars on your way to the stage and it’s been a privilege to use the surrounding woods as our Forest of Arden. It’s been extremely rewarding. 

APT: What has surprised you about APT?

Jack: How genuine and giving everyone is. Everyone I’ve encountered at the theatre has made a concerted effort of welcoming me to APT. As an apprentice, I’m here to further develop my skills as an actor as well as make steps in establishing my career. Many members of the acting company and artistic staff have been beyond generous in sharing their experience, networks, and time. Their generosity has made APT an even better place to work these few months. 

APT: How did you fall in love with theater?

Jack: Well, I fell in love with theater twice: first as an audience member and later as an actor. When I was growing up, my parents took my sister and I to see shows fairly frequently. One moment of theater that has stayed with me since was from a performance of 110 in the Shade. Spoiler Alert: in the finale, the drought-stricken town where the musical is set receives a downpour of rain. And in this production, it actually rained onstage. Ensemble members took off their hats and watched them fill with rainwater. Young Jack couldn’t believe his eyes. I started acting in my teens following in my sister’s footsteps (who now, wisely, has begun a far more lucrative career in medical research), but it wasn’t until my freshman year in college that I decided I would focus on it. I did a show my friend wrote on the Arab Spring one semester and was in Macbeth the next. Both productions were transformative for me. They were great fun to perform and I loved how they made people think. I saw first hand that theater could urge audiences to grapple with the personal and the political, with big ideas – and as an actor I could entertain and interrogate, connect and convince through stories. When I realized that I was hooked.

APT: When you’re not on the stage, what are your hobbies and how do you like spending your time?

Jack: I read a lot. Whenever I move to a new city, one of the first things I do is get a library card. I read a bunch of plays and graphic novels, although more recently I’ve been reading books on architecture. I love listening to audio plays and podcasts. I watch an average amount of Netflix and play some video games as well, especially FIFA. That said, I’m always overjoyed when we can gather enough people to go outside and play a real game of soccer. 

APT: What is next for you?

Jack: I plan on moving back east in 2019, but this winter you can catch me with a few folks from APT at Children’s Theater of Madison! I’ll be playing Fred in their annual production of A Christmas Carol. I’m thrilled to remind Scrooge (and all of us) that the holidays exist to bring us together — and that we should do good unto others whenever we have the means to do so. 

APT: What mythical creature would improve the world most if it existed?

Jack: I’m certainly partial to fauns (such as Mr. Tumnus in The Chronicles of Narnia) and the centaur, Chiron — as both are kind, good-natured creatures who guide and educate. But I’d be kidding myself if I didn’t say the world would benefit most from unicorns. In mythology, unicorns are known to have healing powers and can make poisoned water drinkable. Unicorns are uniquely generous in this way—and I feel most other creatures would either serve as tricksters with merely a capacity to do good, or just exist as another predator or watchdog. So...Unicorns. Final answer. 

APT: Anything else you would like to add?

Jack: I can never thank my parents enough for their continued love and support. And to all my family and friends visiting from all over: I can’t wait to welcome you to APT!