ACTING FOR THE MUSICAL STAGE IV: Juniors

Questionnaire
DUE by start of class on Monday, January 25th (emailed)

Name: Gary Quinn Simmons

Pronouns: They/Them

There will be unique challenges facing you as you enter the professional world in 2021. With Covid-19
still calling the shots, and Arts and Culture (specifically live entertainment) at a standstill, there will be
many hard decisions to make and courage needed to persevere. This moment should and can be one of the
most exciting and joyful times as well. As we navigate the semester together, I would love to gather a
little more information about you are at in this moment in your lives, in hopes that the answers will give
me beneficial information to ensure I can support your aspirations and provide you with the necessary
resources to address your concerns. Please answer these questions in as much detail as you would like to
share.

What are the current concerns you have facing graduation and post-college life?
The pandemic has allowed me to reevaluate the way I want to position myself in the arts industry. I want
to make sure I can continue to grow as a multifaceted artistic professional after this education, and I want
to prepare myself for that while I’m here.
What areas of the business are you needing more training in/information on?
Casting, directing, and generally more collaborative leadership positions within the industry.
Also, how to open important social dialogues with artistic leadership when you are an actor, part of a
project.
What style/genre of musical theatre singing do you gravitate toward?
Golden Age Baritone or comedic up tempo contemporary.
As of today (knowing that this should and can change whenever you need it to) what are your plans
post-graduation?
I want to leave the country and continue my education (at an institution or otherwise) somewhere in
Europe.
What are the top 3 song you have in your repertoire right now that you feel the most confident
performing at any given moment?
Fly Me to the Moon, It’s Too Late, and Joey, Joey, Joey
Who is someone in this business that you feel stole your career? (aka I feel that Paul Rudd stole my
career and I wish I had his life).
Darren Criss has taken all of those charmingly queer, half Asian roles from me and that bastard has that
upper range I was supposed to have lol
Who are playwrights you gravitate toward?
Jeremy O’Harris, Oscar Wilde
Who in your life do you use as inspiration when times are tough?
Lady Gaga, my mother
What are some top interests you have besides performing and musical theatre?
Fashion, spirituality, digital art/graphic design.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully with a beautiful partner, making art.
What do you think are your greatest strengths as a performer?
Honesty, commitment, and respect.
What are some areas you are still working on?
Relaxing, making choices that “Quinn” wouldn’t make.
What is your “go-to” audition song right now and why?
Fly Me to the Moon, it is familiar, comfortable in my voice, and I will never forget the words. My safest
safe card.
Three words you would use to describe yourself and why.
Realistic, passionate, and connected. I feel very strongly about the world around me, so I try hard to look
at objective truths without bias. My ability to connect with people is my favorite thing about myself.
Three words you think others would use to describe you?
Funny, stressed, and giving.
What are you hoping to get out of this class?
A chance to sing.