In The Spotlight - Jarrod Makin

How long have you been performing in shows
I began with ACT One and Elaps in 2001, so this is now my tenth year.
In 2006 I joined Greasepaint and have been with the group ever since. I am also a member of The ESNA Players and The Festival Players

What got you interested in music / theatre
I'm not entirely sure. When I was little, the guy across the road from me got a little part in Heartbeat and he's credited on IMDB too ( http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0392377/), but at the time I was way too scared to try it. I chose to study drama for GCSE shortly before joining ACT One.
Around this time, the idea of people occasionally bursting into song seemed quite obsurd!

What was your first show
Barnum is the first musical I have ever done, and I still have the scar on my chin to prove it. Juggling and stilt walking don't mix well.
My first show with Greasepaint was Joseph. It was a tad scary, but was awesome.

What has been your favourite show and/or character and why
Picking just one is too hard, so I'll pick three. Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls), The Tin Man (Wizard of Oz) and The Hired Man.
Sky Masterson is Mr. Bigshot, Mr. Cool. He sings a great collection of songs, is probably the largest part I've ever played, and the only romantic character I can think of too. The tinman is charming and loveable, and slides around on Heelys!
The Hired Man is a British masterpiece. So moving. So English.

Now I think about it, breaking out of chains as Harry Houdini in Ragtime was great fun too.

What has been your most embarassing or funniest moment in a show
Believe it or not, I've done a lot of silly things.

Funnier moments include Genghis - Dracula's assistant (Days of Future Passed Concert - ACT One), Rolf Harris having a sword fight with Steve Irwin (Summer Holiday Concert - ACT One), Mrs. Luce (doubling up as an embarrassing part. Little Shop of Horrors - Greasepaint), Tom Cruise cycling into a bush (Big Screen Little Stage Concert - ACT One), Singing "The Song That Goes Like This" and getting my head trapped in a washing machine before being put through a mangle (Aladdin - ELAPS), Singing Hey Big Spender as "The Gay Producer" also doubling as an embarrassing part. (Cinderella, "Not quite a panto" ELAPS)

I have ended up playing the gay guy, the cross dresser or the woman too many times for my liking, and yet I've never been a pantomime dame. This list includes:
Lieutenant Gruber in 'Allo 'Allo. He's the one who fances René.
Mrs. Luce in Little Shop of Horrors. Girls being jealous of my legs is not nice.
A Thai "lady of the night" in "One night in Bangkok"
A drunk in a dress during a scene in Oliver.

Describe the best and worst costumes you have had to wear
Well, the embarrassing ones are all the dresses and high heels.
The tin man's costume is fantastic, a bit like Kryten from Red Dwarf, with Heelys. The Egyptian headdresses in Joseph were fantastic, as were clown costumes in Barnum. I'm sure I don't do all this just for the fun of dressing up, but anything in a nice suit is generally fun.

What has been your proudest moment
I have been fortunate enough to write and direct a few different pieces, which have all been rewarding to watch creativity come to life.
As a performer, the only thing for me that beats the sound of a full audience in laughter or applause is the sight of a standing ovation.
Joseph and The Hired Man both received standing ovations and coincidentally were my first shows with respective groups.

If you could choose any show to perform in, what would it be and why
Don't shoot me, but I'd quite like to do Grease and Spamalot and a few shows again that I've already done.

Do you have any plans to pursue theatre as a career
If I didn't have the financial worry of not making it, I'd consider chasing the dream... if I was exactly sure what that dream is.
My current goal is to take the final bow in a show. I've come close on several occasions, but never quite managed it.