Andrew Durand

Q & A with Andrew Durand, who starred as 'Albert' from 12 Jan 2012 - 06 Jan 2013 in the Tony Award-winning play War Horse, which played at the the Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theater from 17 Mar 2011 - 06 Jun 2013.

Birthday?
January 17th

Place of birth?
Marietta, GA.

You now live in?
New York City!

Did you go to training school, if so which one?
The Boston Conservatory.

Your first stage performance was?
I played the role of Peter in the play "Heidi" at my local community theater in Atlanta where I did countless shows. I was basically raised in that theater.

Career highlight to date?
I got to originate the lead role, and be the only American in a West End show called The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. It was with Kneehigh Theatre Company, directed by Emma Rice. I met Emma while auditioning for her Broadway production of Brief Encounter. We hit it off, and she called me a few months later asking me to come to London to do the show. Getting to live, travel, and work with such wonderful people in that place was like living in a fairy tale. I will never forget it.

What roles would you most like to play?
The ones that haven't been created yet.

What's the best advice you have ever received?
I think the best advice, isn't literally given to you. I think you can absorb it by leaving yourself open to the people and things around you, and observing how it all works. I've been lucky enough to work with some very inspiring people, in some very inspiring environments.

What is the most annoying part about your job?
Well, I think the schedule can be the most difficult thing to deal with. It's hard to see any of your friends that aren't on a "show schedule" because they are always working when you're free, and you're working when they are free. It's also hard to only have one day off a week. You can't really take a weekend trip. Only time to recover and do your laundry.

Briefly tell us how you become involved with War Horse?
I just auditioned. I had only done musicals professionally up to this point. I told my agent I really wanted to get involved in a play or film/tv. I hadn't done a play since college. They got me an audition for War Horse and I seized the opportunity. I worked really hard on the material, it consumed my life for weeks. I went in about five times in total I think.

If you had not become a performer, what might you have done instead?
I love nature, and animals, and earth science...so definitely something to do with those things.

Favorite after-show haunts?
A lot of us from the cast actually just hang out in our dressing rooms for a while after the show to wind down. We have a few drinks, play a few games, just chat with each other. It's such a big cast and show, you can go a whole performance without seeing someone, so it's nice to get to come together. There's also so many of us, it'd be hard to find places to fit us all.

What was the last Broadway show you saw?
The last show I saw was The Woman in Black while I was living and working in London. I loved it.

What was the last book you read, and name some of your favorite authors?
The last book I read was actually Catcher in the Rye. I love the character, Holden Caulfield.

What was the last film you saw, and name some of your favorite movies?
The last film I saw was Tin Tin in theaters. It was pretty good. I absolutely love all kinds of movies. They are one of my favorite pastimes.

Favorite holiday destinations?
I like tropical places, mountainous/woodsy cabin get aways, and traveling in the UK/Europe.

Do you have any hobbies?
I play guitar. I try to keep life somewhat adventurous.

What are your future plans?
"Just keep swimming." :)