Dakota Hill

Dakota Hill

The Inheritance

April 7th — May 14th

The Inheritance is a production not a lot of theatres take on for the simple fact that it’s broken into two parts. What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges behind-the-scenes?

I feel like the biggest challenge is really on the production side of things. I mean the sheer scope of the play is inherently challenging. There are so many moving parts, props, ques involved. Its definitely a challenging show in that regard. We're spanning a six hour show, so there are obviously a lot of costumes changes, props, etc...but that's part of the fun.

What excites you about The Inheritance and the role you are playing?

I'm playing Eric Glass, a gay, lifelong New Yorker who is sort of perched in the middle of these two generations of gay men during the course of the play. The current generation and that the generation who lived through the aids crisis.

Oh man, this play excites me for more reasons than I have room to list here. It's an incredible, epic piece of theatre that I think will surprise, entertain, and challenge the audience. I think for some of the audience, the play will be a catharsis of sorts. For some, it will be informative and eye-opening. I think that everyone, though, will be moved by how touching, heartfelt, enriching and emotional it is. Oh and it's funny! It's deeply funny as well.

Do you feel an epic like this can feel a bit daunting? Is there more pressure on you as a performer, and how do you prepare for that?

I don't think of it as daunting. It's challenging. Like hiking up a mountain is challenging. But the only way to get to the top is to start climbing.

It’s not often you see a two-part theatre production. I’d imagine family or friends are either super intrigued by the idea or hesitant when you tell them. Have you heard any of these?

There is definitely a hint of hesitancy in some, but it's also mixed with excitement. "Wow, how do you do that? That has to feel impossible. What a cool show to be a part of, etc..." The easiest way, I've found, to make it more digestible to those who are wary of the runtime is to make it relatable to how we digest entertainment all of the time now. A vast majority of us will sit and binge watch an entire season of television without hesitation. This show gives that same feeling of anticipation for what's going to happen next. As in, you can't wait to get to the next episode.

What’s your biggest challenge about taking on this role?

I love Eric. I love his kindness, his empathy, his understanding. I admire his drive-his insatiable need to leave the world better than he found it and those incredible character attributes are also the biggest challenges. Playing such a genuine, altruistic character has to be exciting and engaging for the audience and not boring. He has to challenge the audiences perceptions of themselves without being self aggrandizing or preachy. It's a big challenge to play a character you strive to be, a character who appeals to your better self. I mean, Eric is the sort of person I try to be in my own life. But he sets the bar pretty high.

How did you get started performing?

I started acting in community theatre when I was a kid and then started doing Summer stock my Freshman year of high school.

Why do you still perform?

I perform because I learn something about myself in every character. I always find a role therapeutic in a way, whether that meant confronting something within myself that I needed to work through or something missing within myself, in my life.

What’s your dream role, and what do you feel you would bring to it?

Dream role? That's a tough question. I'm not old enough yet, but eventually I'd love to play George in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf." Edward Albee is, in my opinion, the greatest American Playwright of the last century. I think, more than anything, I'd bring a deep understanding of the pathos of that character and a reverence for Albee's use of language as a weapon.

What’s a fun fact people may not know about you?

I'm a huge horror nerd. And I mean nerd. Like, could write you essays on the significance of horror in regards to how it reflects us as a society, level nerd.