It’s not easy being green, but for one Bradley alumnus, it hasn’t been hard.
2003 graduate Eric Peterson plays the role of Shrek in the Broadway production “Shrek the Musical,” and visited campus on Tuesday to share his experiences.
Peterson and fellow actor David Vaughn, who plays the role of Lord Farquad in the production, spent the day speaking to theatre classes then hosted a seminar for students in the evening about how to audition for jobs.
Peterson also said Bradley gave him personal attention he would not have received at a larger school and it made him a better actor.
“Being in New York City, I didn’t have as many connections as graduates from larger universities,”
he said. “But at Bradley I was able to star in multiple on-campus shows which is more than any student
at a large school would have been able to. Here I learned how to be the lead role of shows.”
Peterson said it will be harder for actors entering the field and looking for jobs now than it was for his graduating class. He suggests
new actors should seize all available opportunities.
“You should just say yes to any job or experience you are offered, especially when you first start out,” he said. “Then you will gain networks and connections with others in the business.”
Peterson and Vaughn were on their way to St. Louis after ending the show’s eight-week run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago last Sunday, when they made a stop at Bradley.
For the next year Peterson and Vaughn will be a part of the musical’s
traveling tour, beginning in St. Louis and visiting more than 25 cities before it is complete.
