Focusing on Quality with Gabe MacPhail #FrontRowFriday

Happy #FrontRowFriday, everyone! Last week, we had the pleasure of chatting with a multi-show participant of the Musical Theatre Intensive. Today we’re pumped to hear from a student that’s new to the program, playing James himself – give it up for Gabe MacPhail!

Encore: Welcome to the Front Row blog! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Could you share a bit about how long you’ve been involved with Encore and the types of activities you participate in here?

Gabe: I’ve been involved with Encore about four years. I was in the cast of Sleepy Hollow and Twelfth Night. I did crew for Fairy Tale Christmas Carol and The Jungle Book. I took part in Annie, Jr and Singin’ In The Rain, Jr [as a part of Encore’s Stage Door summer camp].

Encore: What is your role in James and the Giant Peach? Do you get to work with any unusual puppets or costume pieces for your character?

GM: I play James. I don’t have any unusual costume pieces because I’m just a boy, but I get to interact with puppets.

Encore: What prompted you to sign up for MTI?

GM:The schedule worked around my hockey games and practices, which was kind of a miracle. I hadn’t done cast in a while because it’s hard to find the time.

Encore: What do you enjoy the most about the MTI process that stands out from other productions you’ve been a part of?

GM: The directors and the cast are very serious about working hard so the show ends up being really good. We also had a lot more time to rehearse.

Encore: What’s your favorite aspect of working with MTI? What’s the most challenging part of the process?

GM: My favorite aspect of working with MTI is that they focus on quality. The most challenging part is devoting that much time to one program when I have a pretty busy life.