Spotlight On: Mike Zimmerman
Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into our talented cast and crew of Cabaret. Get to know Mike Zimmerman who is portraying Clifford Bradshaw!
Introduce Yourself to Our Audience:
Hi! My name is Mike Zimmerman, and I’m a senior studying Performance in Theatre at Central Connecticut State University. I’m playing Cliff in CTC’s production of “Cabaret”.
Why did you want to be involved in this production?
How do you prepare for a new role or character, and what techniques do you use?
I try to find patterns of behavior in a character, whether they’re similar or different from how I am. This helps to “build” the character, or at least an initial perception of how they should be, and then that evolves over the rehearsal process and working with other actors. From a more technical aspect, I’m trained to use the Meisner technique when acting, and Michael Chekhov character work for building characters/physical life.
What do you love about your character?
Cliff has a kind of innocence to him, and I think that’s why having a younger actor portraying him works so well. It’s also fun getting to work with pretty much all of the cast. Both from the perspective of getting to work with everyone, but also getting to see Cliff’s dynamic around all the other characters.
What challenges did you face bringing the script to life?
I don’t think I had any major challenges, but the major concern I had was making Cliff’s story and scenes just as engaging as the rest of the show. The Kit Kat Klub and all the characters contained within it are such a naturally engrossing environment, so everything outside the club should be just as fun to watch for different reasons.
Who do you look up to (as an actor/director/etc.)?
In terms of dramatic acting, Charlie Cox has always been my major inspiration. I wanted to become an actor because of his work in Daredevil, and I’m sure many of my instincts were formed because of that. In terms of comedic acting, my major inspirations are Glenn Howerton and Jason Bateman. I’m drawn to “straight men” that can deviate and go crazy if needed. I find Ryan Gosling to be a nice in-between of dramatic and comedic.
What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage / the curtain goes up?
Recently, I’ve been trying to remind myself to have fun. It might sound simple or cliché, but I find myself getting so focused on making sure the scene is good or worrying about technical aspects that I forget the reason I’m even performing in the first place.
What is your favorite film or theater production and why?
Cabaret opens July 19th and runs through August 4th at Connecticut Theatre Company. Tickets on sale now!
“A stunning musical… this marionette’s-eye view of a time and place in our lives that was brassy, wanton, carefree and doomed to crumble is brilliantly conceived.”– Walter Kerr, The New York Times
“Stunning… a masterpiece of musical theater penned as a cautionary tale and not at all leavened by the embrace of paradox.” – Chris Jones, The Chicago Tribune
