One, two, three, here they go! These young performers of 13: The Musical are stoked to share their experience regarding the production in this TheatreBloom exclusive interview series— A Little More Homework. Sitting down for our 9th installment, Aidan Slowey talks to us about playing Malcolm in Third Wall Productions’ upcoming showing of 13: The Musical.
Thanks for taking a minute to sit with us, Aiden. Would you introduce yourself and we’ll get started?
Aidan Slowey: My name is Aidan Slowey and I play Malcolm. I go to Ridgely Middle School and I’m in seventh grade. I’m actually 13.
That’s awesome! What’s it like getting to be in a musical about kids who are your age?
Aidan: A lot of the things that these characters say I wouldn’t ever dream of saying! It’s very raunchy.
What do you and Malcolm have in common and where do you and Malcolm differ?
Aidan: We actually don’t have much in common. Malcolm is more of the sporty character and the popular kid in school. That’s not really my crowd.
What do you think about popularity? Is it important?
Aidan: I think it’s more important in middle school than it is in high school. I can’t wait for high school. I’m going to Delaney High School.
When you’re not in school and not doing theatre what do you like doing with your free time?
Aidan: I am either at lacrosse practice or home. When I’m at home I watch TV. I usually watch stuff on NetFlix. I rewatch every Disney movie in creation.
Is this your first time doing theatre?
Aidan: It is. This is my first show.
What made you decide to want to come out and be a part of the theatre scene?
Aidan: Well, I didn’t actually know about this show until Grace Volpe, who plays Patrice, came to my music teacher and said “do you know any guys who would be interested in doing a musical?” And he came to me. I do sing. I like it very much. I was in the All-State Choir very recently.
This show talks about bullying. How do you feel about bullying?
Aidan: Besides what my school program tells me? It’s not something I like. It happens to too many people.
This show also talks about labels. How do you feel about labels?
Aidan: There are a lot of them and they’re too active. There are kids in my school who are afraid to sit at certain tables because of labels. I mean I kind of just sit wherever I want and stay away from the people I don’t want to be around, but labels are definitely a thing at my school. And they shouldn’t be.
What would you say has been the biggest challenge about taking on your first theatre show?
Aidan: Definitely dancing. I am not a dancer. A lot of the dances are not the least embarrassing things to do.
Do you have a favorite song in the show?
Aidan: “Bad, Bad News” by far. It’s so funny. And it’s all about Lucy.
Do you have a favorite scene?
Aidan: Probably the movie scene. They’re watching a horror movie and it’s basically just Brett and Archie trying to work up the courage to kiss Kendra. And I don’t want to spoil anything if you haven’t seen the show yet, but the ending is very interesting.
What do you want to do when you grow up?
Aidan: I was thinking about being a teacher. It’s the simplest kind of all-around job that I can think of that’s not too difficult. You can ask my mom, I love working with little kids. Plus, being a music teacher would be pretty awesome. They get a lot of free reign.
What would you say being a part of this show has taught you about yourself?
Aidan: Probably that I can dance a little better than I thought I could. Mostly it’s taught me not to really identify with the people that I don’t think are good people. That’s what I learned from Evan in his struggles with Brett.
What do you think this show will teach people when they see it?
Aidan: I’m hoping it teaches them to make wise choices in their friend groups. Hopefully it doesn’t teach anyone how 13-year-olds actually act because that would be very interesting to watch teachers change their curriculum to accommodate that.
Why do you want people to see you in the show?
Aidan: I don’t know a lot of people who would be interested in this show besides my close family but I hope people come and see it mostly because I’d want people to come and see me in my first show. The show is also a really funny show.
13: The Musical opens on May 13, 2016 and plays through May 22, 2016 with Third Wall Productions at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah— 5801 Hartford Road in Baltimore’s Hamilton neighborhood. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 443-838-4064 or purchasing them online.
To read Part 1 of “A Little More Homework” featuring Taylor Casalena, click here.
To read Part 2 of “A Little More Homework” featuring Jake Clark, click here.
To read Part 3 of “A Little More Homework” featuring Andi Rudai, click here.
To read Part 4 of “A Little More Homework” featuring Morgan Hewitt, click here.
To read Part 5 of “A Little More Homework” featuring Margaret Hamilton, click here.
To read Part 6 of “A Little More Homework” featuring Christopher Owens, click here.
To read Part 7 of “A Little More Homework” featuring Carly Victor, click here.
To read Part 8 of “A Little More Homework” featuring Ma’issa Wright-Kerr, click here.
