Earlier this month, Westbrook High School’s Sock ‘n Buskin Theatre Group came in first in the regional one-act play competition for its performance in the play, “The Zen Substitute,” by James Brandon and Tamako Niwa. In addition to the overall award, students Matthew Rairdon, Leah Douglass and Nate Gowen were named all-cast members. The theater group will perform at the Maine Drama Festival this weekend in Rockport. The Westbrook community can see the play at a performance Thursday, March 20, at 7 p.m., at the high school. The suggested donation is $5. Rairdon, 16, a junior, sat down with the American Journal on Monday to talk about the play, his role and the actor he thinks would best portray him in a play about his life.
Q: What is “The Zen Substitute” about?
A: It’s about a Japanese emperor that wants to go to another lady’s house, not his wife’s, and just spend the night there and have a good time, but the wife doesn’t want him to. He goes anyway, and she ends up finding out about it and gets really mad.
Q: What part do you play?
A: I’m Lord Ukyo, the lead.
Q: What did you like about playing him?
A: He was very funny. When he comes out for the first time, there’s something about his presence that the audience can feel. He tries to be funny, but at the same time, he’s very powerful. You don’t want to make him mad.
Q: Do you have any rituals before you go on stage?
A: I just try to get into character as much as I can, just have a good time, try and relax, don’t think about the people and pretend that I really am that person.
Q: When did you first get into theater?
A: Freshman year. I wasn’t really into it, but a friend convinced me to audition. I didn’t realize, the backstage stuff, how fun it is. Sophomore year I did lights and sound, but I do like acting better.
Q: What do you like about it?
A: Just to be someone else, to forget about who you are and convince everyone else that you are that other person.
Q: What other parts have you played?
A: Freshman year, I played a detective. It was pretty good to be in it your freshman year.
Q: What other activities do you participate in?
A: I go camping. I do jazz band. I play the trumpet. We just came back from the state competition for that, too. That’s another group that everyone’s close with each other. It’s like another family. It sounds corny, but it is.
Q: Do you think you’ll continue with acting and trumpet in college?
A: I don’t know if it will be my major, but I’ll audition and do some backstage stuff in college.
Q: Were you surprised to come in first place in the regional one-act competition?
A: I was very surprised. The director, Rick Solomon, is new this year. He has a different style of theater he likes. It’s very fun and funny to do. I couldn’t believe we won.
Q: How about being named an all-cast member?
A: I was very surprised by that, too. I went from last year being backstage and no one knowing me, to this year, people coming up to me and saying, “You did so good.”
Q: Do you have high expectations for the state competition?
A: All the people that have won are going to this. I’d be amazed and very proud if we won.
Q: If there was a play written about your life, what would it be called and who would play you?
A: “The Stressful Life of a Teenager.” I don’t know. Who are some famous crazy people? Let’s go with Robin Williams. He’s funny.
Matthew Rairdon, who plays Lord Ukyo in Westbrook High School’s production of “The Zen Substitute,” was named an all-cast member at the regional one-act competition. On Saturday, Rairdon and his fellow castmates from Westbrook will be performing the one-act at the state competition in Camden this weekend.
Members of the Westbrook High School Sock ‘n Buskin Theatre Group Matthew Rairdon and Nate Gowen perform “The Zen Substitute.” The group came in first place in a regional one-act play competition and will perform Saturday in the state competition.
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