Kevin Bush, Len Mann Marini, & Brittany Hammock
From new-ish theatre artists to relative veterans, this year’s class of Theatre Arts JAYS finalists bring not just accolades and accomplishments with them to the stage, but also fond and favorite dreams of memories they’ve yet to make.
We asked Kevin Bush, Len Mann Marini, and Brittany Hammock what their favorite roles are and what roles they hope to one day play, and this is what they told us.
BRITTANY HAMMOCK
According to Britanny Hammock, her favorite role thus far “has to be Constance Owens in Trustus Theatre's original musical The Restoration's Constance. Constance was particularly special to me for a number of reasons. The entire process was uniquely different because we were creating a new work. We took this seed, that was The Restoration's concept album, and successfully fleshed it out into an epic musical theater experience. It was a huge honor to help originate such a headstrong and compassionate female character for the stage. I also shared some of my fondest stage memories with my co-star Mario McClean. Together, we told a challenging and emotional story of two young people falling in love when the world was against them. I'll never forget our last scene together. My character was already in a state of grief and I was always in tears by the end of that scene, but when we came offstage after our final performance, I could not stop crying. I just couldn't turn it off! Everyone backstage thought something genuinely tragic had happened because I was sobbing for like fifteen minutes. I think back and laugh about it now, but I know the tears just meant that I didn't want to say goodbye to Constance.” (Full disclosure - - Constance was the brainchild of new Jasper board member Daniel Machado.)
What prize role hasn’t Brittany played yet? “Jenna in Waitress the musical. I feel like that's such a popular response from young women in musical theatre today, but it's for good reason. Jenna is one of the most interesting and complex leading ladies to come out of contemporary musical theater. The original music, written by one of my favorite pop artists, Sara Bareilles, is also a mezzo-soprano's dream to sing. I would love for the chance to tell Jenna's powerful story one day.”
KEVIN BUSH
According to Kevin Bush, “I’ve been lucky to be cast in many roles that I have truly loved, but as of today, giving this response, the most personally life-affecting have been “Jon” in “tick...tick...BOOM!” and “Larry” in “Montgomery.” The former gave me the opportunity to explore the possibility that an artist and musician might truly exist in me, and inspired me to breathe life into that dormant part of my being. The latter was a beautiful drawing of how, in daily life, trying and failing often happens in the same moment, and it was a delicious chance to bring forgiveness to many of my own insecurities (and, hopefully, the audiences’).”
Favorite role he’s yet to play? It’s a tie between “Georges in “Sunday in the Park with George” and Me in “Me, the Awesome Cabaret Musical”
LEN MANN MARINI
For Len Mann Marini her favorite role thus far was “The Holiness Snake Handler in Talking With … at Trustus. We did full runs of the show twice...in ten year intervals. I loved the character and I especially loved her faith, her sincerity, and her simplicity. I also loved the audience shock when I pulled out my snake. Plus, the cast was a group of badass, fabulous women, and Jim Thigpen directed it both times!!!”
The role she covets? “I usually go for small to medium sized character roles,” the actor says, “but I always wanted to play Blanche DuBois. The role was offered to me years ago to take on tour, but my job made it too difficult to get away. I can’t wait to see it at Trustus!”
Come out on Friday night to see which of these theatre artists takes home the award for Jasper Artist of the Year. You’ll also enjoy performances by many of these folks and more, snacks catered by Scott Hall Catering, a cash bar, and a really a good time!
Tickets are still available at https://jasperjays.bpt.me/ but will likely sell out soon.
