Faces of ITS: Patrick May

Patrick May

How has theatre impacted your life?
Theatre has given me a space to escape the stress and work of reality. It allows me to become what I want and be myself. It’s also given me a place where I feel safe, unlike other places inside my school.

What is one lesson you’ve learned from theatre?
A lesson I learned is from my former theatre teacher, Katie Powell Mitchell. She taught me always to smile in the face of stress and always to look for the good in others.

What has been your favorite theatre experience so far?
My favorite theatre experience is still Shakespeare Comes to Calamity Creek, a show I did in second grade. It was one of those low-budget shows you do for smaller kids and, looking back, the plot and songs were really bad. But it was the first time I felt like I belonged in a place.

Who is your theatre hero?
Christian Borle. He is one of my favorite actors of all time. I love listening to him sing because he gives such a wide range of characters, from the cynical Marvin [in Falsettos] to the cocky William Shakespeare [in Something Rotten]. He is also such a funny and friendly face offstage, which really makes me happy. Also Billy Porter. Not only [is he] an activist for black lives and gay rights but he also is a phenomenal actor and singer. When I first saw him onstage on my computer screen in Kinky Boots, I believed I could not only be a person of color [onstage] but be queer as well.

What theatrical character or show best describes your life?
The best musical to describe me is Xanadu because it’s so goofy and weird that it’s perfect. It is something anyone could listen to and just laugh and vibe along. Also, “Suddenly” is a perfect duet and total bop.