Presenting a new feature for PHX Stages: Q & A's with some of the best talent on stage and backstage in the Valley.
Up first: actor Andy Cahoon
Currently appearing in the Southwest Shakespeare Company production of A Christmas Carol (which he also appeared in last December), Andy Cahoon is one of the busiest actors in town. He was most recently seen in Actors Theatre's production of Seminar. He also appeared in Southwest Shakespeare's Fairy Worlds!, Macbeth and Equivocation (both the original mounting last Spring and the return engagement this past September), and was the lead in Childsplay's Robin Hood, and that's all just within the past fourteen months. He also played multiple parts in Our Town at Phoenix Theatre and received an ariZoni nomation for portraying Leporello in Nearly Naked Theatre's production of Don Juan in Chicago.
Name: Andy Cahoon
Where you were born and or raised: Born in Cincinnati Ohio, but raised in Scottsdale, Arizona and Pleasanton, California. My parents moved from Ohio when I was 5 to start their new lives. We returned after living in California because my parents received new jobs, and wanted to live in somewhat of a better climate. I cannot argue with the weather here.
What do your parents do for a living: My mother is the Director of a recent start up company in Phoenix, of which I know not the name. My father recently became a Lawyer after having done Commercial Real Estate for about 10 years.
Siblings: My brother Austin, whom I adore beyond belief.
First show you ever saw: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Scottsdale Performing Arts Center. I don't remember a blasted thing about the show, but I believe it was my first. Must have been 2nd or 3rd year of elementary school.
Moment you knew you wanted to perform for a living: My high school had the privilege of taking our show, The Winter's Tale, to the National Thespian Conference in Nebraska of 2004.
The one performance you attended that you will never forget: Mesa Encore Theatre's production of Oliver!, November 22nd, 2014 for very special reasons.
First stage kiss: Chuck Mee's Summertime, 2008, University of Arizona Studio Series
Best stage experience you’ve had so far: Bill Cain's Equivocation, 2014, Southwest Shakespeare Company, Directed by David Barker
What has been the most fun or fulfilling aspect of your current/ most recent show? My current show is Dicken's A Christmas Carol. I'm reprising the same 5 roles as before, and I had forgotten the joy and dedication it takes to make each character distinct.
Most challenging role you have played onstage: Malcolm from Macbeth. Depending on the script, the cuts completely shape how to play this character, who is, in my opinion, already a very challenging role regardless of what is edited out.
Any upcoming or side projects you can talk about? I'm very excited to be auditioning for Graduate Acting Programs in February of 2015. Also, more locally, I am pleased to audition for Stray Cat Theatre's production of Pluto, which premiers February 20th, 2015.
Leading role you've been dying to play: I've always wanted to play Hamlet. His intelligence and inquisitive nature astound me, and I think he's the adult version of Romeo; he's certainly had his love and lost it. If not Hamlet, then Dr Jekyll or Dr Faustus.
Leading role of the opposite sex you wish you could play: Claire Underwood from House of Cards
Pre-show rituals or warm-ups: I do a few pushups to get the blood flowing, and 3 yoga vinyasas/sun salutations. Then I primarily follow the rest of the P90X warmup routine, followed by a few vocal warmups. I recite a few lines from the current show in various ways. If i'm feeling particularly energized, I recite a few lines from Hamlet's "Speak the speech, I pray you," monologue.
Worst flubbed line/missed cue/onstage mishap: This happened in my first production in high school during Winter's Tale. I was playing Florizel, the young prince of Bohemia, as well as some messenger/soldier. I was supposed to come out to read the indictment of Hermoine, but as I got into the second line, I completely went up. I said "shit" loud enough for the first 5 rows to hear, turned around, and went right off stage.
Worst costume ever: Definitely the "Ariel Spirit" from Tempest I did with Southwest Shakespeare. We wore full nude body suits, giant white sheets, and these headdresses that made us look like chickens with their ruffles. Not to mention a full face of clown white. I'm sure the effect looked great, but it was such a weird thing to move around in. Freeing, but odd.
Best costume ever: Robin Hood with Chilsdplay. The leather jacket, combat boots and army camouflage pants, the broadsword, hunting bow and quiver easily win. Plus, that's when I fell in love with eyeliner and mascara.
Your go to audition monologue/song: I pick a few new ones each year, but I especially enjoyed "Unworthy of your Love" from Assassins. My favorite monologue to date comes from Total Eclipse, the play about poets Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine.
Worst audition experience: My very first audition ever. It was for The Winter's Tale in high school in front of none other than Randy Messersmith. I picked Hamlet's "To be, or not to be" soliloquy. I couldn't make it through the third line without going up, and Randy had to feed the lines to me. I suppose he saw some promise in me, though, because not only did I receive a part, but I had the privilege of sharing the stage with him in Equivocation 10 years later.
If you could go back in time and catch any performer or show, what would they/it be? Kevin Spacey in Richard III or Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart in Waiting for Godot
Famous past stage or screen star(s) you would have loved to have performed with: Unsure at the moment.
Actor/actress in the Phoenix area you'd love to perform with: I cannot disclose this
Your personal acting idols: Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Edward Norton
Current/recent show other than one of your own you have been recommending
to friends: Anything and everything you can see at Stray Cat Theatre
Favorite plays: The Pillowman, Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear
Favorite musicals: Les Mis, How To Succeed
Some favorite modern plays/musicals: Spamalot and Avenue Q
Favorite showtune of all time: "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from Spamalot
Most listened song/music on your iPod/Phone? "Snow (Hey, Oh)" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
First CD/Tape/LP you owned: Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers greatest Hits
Last good book you read: "1984" from Orson Wells
Must-see TV shows: Sherlock, House of Cards
Guilty pleasure binge watching tv show: How I Met Your Mother and Adventure Time
Last good movie you saw: Birdman, (GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!)
Favorite movie: I Heart Huckabees
Favorite restaurant in the Valley: Baby K's Cajun
Favorite cities: Cincinnati, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, New York
Sports teams you root for: Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks
Something about you that might surprise people: I was a Resident Assistant for 3 years in college
Special skills: Martial Arts, Trumpet, Guitar and Ukulele, and various dialects
Career you would want if not a performer: Philosopher
Worst non-theatre job you've had: Starbucks Barista, Administrative Assistant, Retail Associate, Karate Instructor
Best non-theatre job you've had: Definitely the Karate Instructor
Things you can't live without: Passion and Therapy
Words of advice for aspiring performers: Don't stop performing, but take any necessary extended breaks you need in order to not lose the passion.
What you love most about theatre in Phoenix: The community of intellectuals that support continued development of the arts.
What you think needs to be changed/improved/different about theatre in Phoenix: More equity contracts, more attention and funding for community theaters
And, the infamous “Inside the Actors Studio” 10 questions:
1. What is your favorite word? Plebeian
2. What is your least favorite word? Socialist
3. What turns you on? An incredible story
4. What turns you off? anti-intellectualism
5. What sound do you love? People exchanging ideas and information in an energized, inspiring way
6. What sound do you hate? Fire Alarms during performances
7. What is your favorite curse word? Am I allowed to say C*nt? A very underutilized word in America that could describe a myriad of people, professions, ideas, or situations.
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? Psychiatry or a Professor of Philosophy
9. What profession would you not like to do? Business Administration or anything with Corporate America
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Here's what you learned, and here is what you didn't. Are you ready for another go?
Up first: actor Andy Cahoon
Currently appearing in the Southwest Shakespeare Company production of A Christmas Carol (which he also appeared in last December), Andy Cahoon is one of the busiest actors in town. He was most recently seen in Actors Theatre's production of Seminar. He also appeared in Southwest Shakespeare's Fairy Worlds!, Macbeth and Equivocation (both the original mounting last Spring and the return engagement this past September), and was the lead in Childsplay's Robin Hood, and that's all just within the past fourteen months. He also played multiple parts in Our Town at Phoenix Theatre and received an ariZoni nomation for portraying Leporello in Nearly Naked Theatre's production of Don Juan in Chicago.Name: Andy Cahoon
Where you were born and or raised: Born in Cincinnati Ohio, but raised in Scottsdale, Arizona and Pleasanton, California. My parents moved from Ohio when I was 5 to start their new lives. We returned after living in California because my parents received new jobs, and wanted to live in somewhat of a better climate. I cannot argue with the weather here.
What do your parents do for a living: My mother is the Director of a recent start up company in Phoenix, of which I know not the name. My father recently became a Lawyer after having done Commercial Real Estate for about 10 years.
Siblings: My brother Austin, whom I adore beyond belief.
First show you ever saw: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Scottsdale Performing Arts Center. I don't remember a blasted thing about the show, but I believe it was my first. Must have been 2nd or 3rd year of elementary school.
Moment you knew you wanted to perform for a living: My high school had the privilege of taking our show, The Winter's Tale, to the National Thespian Conference in Nebraska of 2004.
The one performance you attended that you will never forget: Mesa Encore Theatre's production of Oliver!, November 22nd, 2014 for very special reasons.
First stage kiss: Chuck Mee's Summertime, 2008, University of Arizona Studio Series
Best stage experience you’ve had so far: Bill Cain's Equivocation, 2014, Southwest Shakespeare Company, Directed by David Barker
 |
| Jon Gentry and Andy Cahoon in the Childsplay 2013 production of Robin Hood (Photography by Tim Trumble) |
Most challenging role you have played onstage: Malcolm from Macbeth. Depending on the script, the cuts completely shape how to play this character, who is, in my opinion, already a very challenging role regardless of what is edited out.
Any upcoming or side projects you can talk about? I'm very excited to be auditioning for Graduate Acting Programs in February of 2015. Also, more locally, I am pleased to audition for Stray Cat Theatre's production of Pluto, which premiers February 20th, 2015.
Leading role you've been dying to play: I've always wanted to play Hamlet. His intelligence and inquisitive nature astound me, and I think he's the adult version of Romeo; he's certainly had his love and lost it. If not Hamlet, then Dr Jekyll or Dr Faustus.
Leading role of the opposite sex you wish you could play: Claire Underwood from House of Cards
Pre-show rituals or warm-ups: I do a few pushups to get the blood flowing, and 3 yoga vinyasas/sun salutations. Then I primarily follow the rest of the P90X warmup routine, followed by a few vocal warmups. I recite a few lines from the current show in various ways. If i'm feeling particularly energized, I recite a few lines from Hamlet's "Speak the speech, I pray you," monologue.
 |
| Andy Cahoon and Joseph Cannon in Southwest Shakespeare Company's 2014 production of Equivocation, (Photo by Devon Adams) |
Worst flubbed line/missed cue/onstage mishap: This happened in my first production in high school during Winter's Tale. I was playing Florizel, the young prince of Bohemia, as well as some messenger/soldier. I was supposed to come out to read the indictment of Hermoine, but as I got into the second line, I completely went up. I said "shit" loud enough for the first 5 rows to hear, turned around, and went right off stage.
Worst costume ever: Definitely the "Ariel Spirit" from Tempest I did with Southwest Shakespeare. We wore full nude body suits, giant white sheets, and these headdresses that made us look like chickens with their ruffles. Not to mention a full face of clown white. I'm sure the effect looked great, but it was such a weird thing to move around in. Freeing, but odd.
Best costume ever: Robin Hood with Chilsdplay. The leather jacket, combat boots and army camouflage pants, the broadsword, hunting bow and quiver easily win. Plus, that's when I fell in love with eyeliner and mascara.
Your go to audition monologue/song: I pick a few new ones each year, but I especially enjoyed "Unworthy of your Love" from Assassins. My favorite monologue to date comes from Total Eclipse, the play about poets Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine.
Worst audition experience: My very first audition ever. It was for The Winter's Tale in high school in front of none other than Randy Messersmith. I picked Hamlet's "To be, or not to be" soliloquy. I couldn't make it through the third line without going up, and Randy had to feed the lines to me. I suppose he saw some promise in me, though, because not only did I receive a part, but I had the privilege of sharing the stage with him in Equivocation 10 years later.
If you could go back in time and catch any performer or show, what would they/it be? Kevin Spacey in Richard III or Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart in Waiting for Godot
Famous past stage or screen star(s) you would have loved to have performed with: Unsure at the moment.
Actor/actress in the Phoenix area you'd love to perform with: I cannot disclose this
Your personal acting idols: Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, Edward Norton
 |
| Kerry McCue, Andy Cahoon, Kim Richard and Will Hightower in Actors Theatre's 2014 production of Seminar (Photo by John Groseclose) |
to friends: Anything and everything you can see at Stray Cat Theatre
Favorite plays: The Pillowman, Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear
Favorite musicals: Les Mis, How To Succeed
Some favorite modern plays/musicals: Spamalot and Avenue Q
Favorite showtune of all time: "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from Spamalot
Most listened song/music on your iPod/Phone? "Snow (Hey, Oh)" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
First CD/Tape/LP you owned: Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers greatest Hits
Last good book you read: "1984" from Orson Wells
Must-see TV shows: Sherlock, House of Cards
Guilty pleasure binge watching tv show: How I Met Your Mother and Adventure Time
Last good movie you saw: Birdman, (GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!)
 |
| Portia Beacham, Jared Sakren, Andy Cahoon, Dion Johnson and Ann Marie O'Reilly in Southwest Shakespeare Company's 2013 production of A Christmas Carol (Photo by Devon Adams) |
Favorite restaurant in the Valley: Baby K's Cajun
Favorite cities: Cincinnati, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, New York
Sports teams you root for: Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks
Something about you that might surprise people: I was a Resident Assistant for 3 years in college
Special skills: Martial Arts, Trumpet, Guitar and Ukulele, and various dialects
Career you would want if not a performer: Philosopher
Worst non-theatre job you've had: Starbucks Barista, Administrative Assistant, Retail Associate, Karate Instructor
Best non-theatre job you've had: Definitely the Karate Instructor
Things you can't live without: Passion and Therapy
Words of advice for aspiring performers: Don't stop performing, but take any necessary extended breaks you need in order to not lose the passion.
What you love most about theatre in Phoenix: The community of intellectuals that support continued development of the arts.
What you think needs to be changed/improved/different about theatre in Phoenix: More equity contracts, more attention and funding for community theaters
 |
| Andy Cahoon (center) in Southwest Shakespeare Company's 2014 production of Macbeth (Photo by Devon Adams) |
1. What is your favorite word? Plebeian
2. What is your least favorite word? Socialist
3. What turns you on? An incredible story
4. What turns you off? anti-intellectualism
5. What sound do you love? People exchanging ideas and information in an energized, inspiring way
6. What sound do you hate? Fire Alarms during performances
7. What is your favorite curse word? Am I allowed to say C*nt? A very underutilized word in America that could describe a myriad of people, professions, ideas, or situations.
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? Psychiatry or a Professor of Philosophy
9. What profession would you not like to do? Business Administration or anything with Corporate America
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Here's what you learned, and here is what you didn't. Are you ready for another go?
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