WIT NEWS ITEM | iMusical's Natasha Rothwell and Jordan Hirsch

The cast of iMusical: (L to R) Karen Lange, Julie Poteet, Natasha Rothwell, Shelby Sours, Shawn Westfall, Colin Murchie, Jordan Hirsch, Jason Saenz. Not pictured: Mark Chalfant, Director Travis Ploeger.

iMUSICAL'S NATASHA ROTHWELL AND JORDAN HIRSCH

POSTED 10.3.06

With only a few weeks until the debut of iMusical, WIT.com got together with cast members Natasha Rothwell (from WIT's onesixtyone) and Jordan Hirsch (from DC improv troupe Jinx) to see how preparations for the show are coming along.


Jordan and Natasha, thanks for taking the time to talk.

Jordan: Sure thing.

Natasha: No prob.


So... you think you can sing?

Natasha: Well, I am generally terrified of singing when I'm not in the shower. But I've been told I can sing.

Jordan: I've been singing since high school - I sang in school musicals and the madrigals chorus, and then I sang in and directed an a cappella group in college and then sang with 2 other a cappella groups after college. Plus I've been in 2 bands as a lead singer. So yes, I thought I could sing.

Natasha: Wow. That's awesome! I've done a few musicals in college and high school, but that's easy because there's a a SCRIPT.

Jordan: Yeah, I love singing - but I never thought I could make songs up on the spot that actually sounded remotely coherent.


Improv is one of those public humiliation things that seems to terrify most of the people you mention it to. How would you explain going up on stage without a script and then breaking in to song to someone who has never done it before?

Jordan: It's kind of like jumping into a swimming pool for the first time- you just have to believe that the water is actually there and that you will really float. Travis makes it easy on us, too, by coming up (on the spot) with melodies that are eminently sing-along-to-able.


What else helps to make you feel comfortable "floating"?

Natasha: Well the group for one. They are incredible.

Jordan: The other cast members, definitely. I feel like I have this huge safety net with the people in iMusical. Like even if I totally suck, there is no way that they will let me fail.

Natasha: Totally. We all are strong at different things and together it just makes sense.


Mark, Shelby and Jordan in a scene from iMusical rehearsal.


Part of the fun of watching an ensemble cast is knowing what each player brings to the table and seeing how it all mixes and matches together from scene to scene. What do each of you think that you bring to this table?

Jordan: I think my background in music helps - I've been singing songs in front of people for a while now, so I have (what I think is) a pretty good sense of how a good song should go, and I am able to throw in vocal tricks and variations without really thinking about it that can help spice up the music.

Natasha: Well, I think that my background in improv dating back to the prehistoric era helps a ton. I also think I bring physicality and character work to the table, both of which I do well, methinks.

Jordan: I think my songs tend to be simpler lyrically so I can focus on the singing, where I'm much more confident. I'd say everyone in the cast brings great energy and stage presence, which really help bring an audience into the world we're creating.

Natasha: For me, I think I have natural vocal ability but have never had a coach to work with it, now I do and it's awesome.

Jordan: Natasha, that's great! I love your songs - I think you have a very powerful and cool voice and I like listening to it.

Natasha: Aw shucks. YOU are the crooner of crooners.

Jordan: Aww...


You two are adorable. You mention the stage presence and energy of the cast... this is the first time such a diverse group of improvisers from different troupes in the city have come together for the same show. How has it been working with everyone under Travis? What sort of common ground have you guys found?

Natasha: It's so different from anything I've been involved with before. Working with people who come from different backgrounds etc. I love it. I think the common ground we've found is PLAY. We all love it and aren't afraid to do it.

Jordan: It's great fun to be playing with people from different backgrounds. Another piece of common ground is that no one is afraid to look like a fool. This is a pretty fearless group. While people have different experience levels with improv and with music, I think we all started from a similar place with musical improv so we're all going on this learning journey together.

Natasha: Yeah, it is so freeing to act like a fool with Jordan. He's SO good at it. This show isn't a chore, it's a playground where like minded people can play together and create.

Jordan: Yeah, "play" is a great word for it- even though this show is harder than anything I've ever done, it's also probably the most fun I've ever had on stage, and I credit my fellow performers for that.

Natasha: Ditto.


Natasha and Jason calmly discuss matters during a scene in rehearsal.


This is also the first time WIT has brought in an outside director for a particular show. Tell us about working with Travis.

Natasha: So different, so refreshing. It really takes a new eye to see things that we (as family) can't. He really means business, and has that New York edgy-ness that keeps us all on our toes.

Jordan: Travis is like a mad scientist or a crazy genius - he has this vision in his head of how this insane, impossible thing will work... and he's asking us to believe in his crazy vision. And so far, he's actually been right about everything.

Natasha: Mad genius is spot on.

Jordan: He gets me excited about this show because he's so excited about it - sometimes he's like an audience member that can't wait to teach us how to do this so he can sit back and watch us do it well. He's also a very talented musician. I give him a lot of credit for making people take the idea of musical improv seriously enough to devote a lot of their time, effort, and energy to it.

Natasha: He is reDONKulous with the piano, so many songs in his head just waiting to be played. I think that what we are going to bring to the stage will be unlike anything we've seen so far in DC and that's because of Travis.


Aside from the iCabaret preview show, have you had a chance to test drive this format in front of an audience?

Jordan: We had someone sit in last week at rehearsal- I got there late so I wasn't quite sure who that was. But he seemed to enjoy himself.

Natasha: That guy was my BOSS!

Jordan: Seriously? Wow, that must have been intense. I had no idea- you played it smooth.

Natasha: My day job is at Woolly Mammoth Theater Company and the managing director (Kevin Moore) was assigned WIT's mentor for the Mead Theater Lab Program that is funding iMusical. He sat in on Wednesday and we chatted at work on Thursday, he was quite impressed.


So no real full-house test drive yet? Are you guys chomping at the bit for October to get here, or what?

Natasha: Totally! Bring 'em on!

Jordan: I am. I'm a little terrified to actually have my family and friends come see me do this, but at the same I'm really excited to have all this hard work pay off in performance.


The cast strikes an on-stage pose. Click here to see the full schedule of shows!


So what do you think audiences will be most surprised by?

Jordan: The quality of the songs and the story and the improvising. Not that anyone's expecting low quality, but I doubt people are expecting the high quality they're going to get in every category (not to build us up too much, but hey, we rock!).

Natasha: I think they'll be impressed by the fact that not only what we are singing is actually made up, but what Travis is playing is also.


What has surprised you the most about the show so far?

Natasha: How well we work together. It's always a crap shoot, and we totally scored.

Jordan: I agree. It's rare to find such great group chemistry.

Jordan: Also the talents that everyone brings to this thing. You get to see a whole other side of improvisers when there's music involved, and I think it brings out the best in everyone in this cast.

Natasha: Absolutely.


Jordan, you mentioned earlier that this was the hardest thing you've done on stage so far... what part has caused you both to lose the most sleep along the way?

Jordan: I spent a long time early on in our rehearsals freaking out that I had less improv experience than a lot of the other cast members. I knew I could sing, but that was the only thing I was confident about. I had taken WIT's musical improv elective, and even TA'd it once, but I still wasn't confident of my ability to make up a song on the spot and do an improv scene around it.

Natasha: Well the singing for sure, as obvious as that sounds. I get caught up a lot with my lack of technical ability, but am comforted by the rigorous rehearsal process. We work HARD.


What sort of exercises do you do to limber up for a show or rehearsal?

Natasha: Rap.' For reals.

Jordan: We do vocal warmups, and we do a couple improvised group songs together - it's funny, an improvised group song sounded like a crazy challenge a few months ago. Now it's a relaxing warmup. Thanks, Travis!

Natasha: Absolutely!


So you're standing up there singing... what do you do physically? Is there a dancing element to the show as well?

Jordan: I try not to dance, but I do try to move in character so it doesn't get too static.

Natasha: Ditto. No jazz hands... yet. We drill being honest and natural, so we are staying away from gimmick.


Travis has talked about those moments in a show where you have to sing because you're so overwhelmed with feeling that talking just doesn't cut it any more. Ever have one of those moments off stage?

Natasha: Daily. I did a copier aria earlier today.

Jordan: Yes, but I can't discuss the results in a family web site.


What are your personal musical influences? What's on your iPod's Most Played list?

Jordan: I'm currently listening to TV on the Radio, The Who, Caribou, and the new Masta Killa album.

Natasha: I listen to everything. I'll have Billie Holiday on a mix with Sufjan Stevens. I am a music lover. Right now I'm really into Parachute Musical, K-os, Cat Power, The Dresden Dolls and Brett Dennen. Delicious.


Multiple choice: Which of the following (regardless of gender) best describes your singing style?
a) "My Way" - Frank Sinatra
b) "God Save the Queen" - Sex Pistols
c) "Oh, Sherry" - Steve Perry
d) "Closer to Fine" - Indigo Girls

Natasha: I'd have to say Frank. That whole era speaks to me. Ella Fitzgerald, Eartha Kitt, Louis Armstrong, Etta James, Rosemary Clooney... yummy.

Jordan: A.


Which of the following would you pick as your favorite musical?
a) Annie
b) The Sound of Music
c) South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut
d) The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Natasha: Annie. How great is that movie? The 1982 version, the one with Carol Burnette, Bernadette Peters and Tim Curry? Brilliant.

Jordan: D.


Anything else you want to throw in the mix before we wrap this up?

Natasha: Just make sure to come out and see this show! I can't wait to see what we do!

Jordan: Don't miss out on this show- it's really unique, and a lot of fun.


Thanks again for taking the time. Good luck with the show.

Natasha: Thank you!

Jordan: Thanks.


iMusical: The Improvised Musical! officially opens to the public at Flashpoint on Thursday, October 19 (with a pay-what-you-can preview on Wednesday the 18th). Check back soon for more behind-the-scenes info as opening night nears. The revolution will be improvised.