Interview: Todd Emerson

Hi Todd
Hi

So tell us about your job.
I work in the box office. I sell tickets. I’m also kind of a general secretary for the building. Is there a more manly word for secretary?

No there isn’t.
Personal assistant? No it’s not really a personal assistant.

Personal to Q, assistant to the building?
Yeah.

How’s it going?
Pretty good. There are quiet times and busy times, overall good.

So in your non-Q life you’re an actor and were in Albert Belz’ Yours Truly as part of Basement Fest. How was that?
Good, we got good houses and great reviews and people enjoyed it so, it went really well.

You’re about to start rehearsals for Massive Company’s Close & Loud which is playing at Q in April. Is physical theatre a new thing for you?
Yes!! We just had our first day where we did nothing but talk and my body is already sore (ok we did play 4 square for a while). This is a really different way of working for me and I'm definitely getting out of my comfort zone but that's what I love about being an actor and I think the show is going to be great!

And you’ll get to leave the box office and tread the boards – are you looking forward to it?
I'm really looking forward to working in Rangatira, it's really fantastic going from working down at the basement and seeing the construction of Q to actually being here and knowing you're going to be performing in it. I feel very lucky to be In this space so early on. 

Would you like to do more at Q in the future?
Yes, oh definitely.

Loft or Rangatira?
Both. At the same time. Maybe do something in rep. Go straight from Rangatira up to Loft and then back maybe. Three shows a day. And then I could come and sell tickets at night, just to keep busy. Maybe it’s a festival, like a festival of Todd Emerson.

We could call it Todd Fest.
Yeah!

So what is your favourite thing about Auckland?
The fact that it’s a big city, but you can go to Mission Bay and sit on a beach or drive half an hour and be at Piha or out in the Waitakeres.

What’s the best performance you’ve ever seen?
I saw the Melbourne Theatre Company production of August Osage County and that was the most excited I’d been in a theatre for a long time. Yeah that’s definitely the best experience I’ve had in a theatre in the last few years.

What is your favourite song or album?
It sort of changes doesn’t it? I’m a geek I really like jazz piano stuff ‘cause I’m a pianist. Any Keith Jarrett.

What’s your fancy dress costume of choice?
I always thought a meat party would be quite good, like in summer for a barbecue and everyone comes as their favourite cut of meat.

That would be good. Vegetarians not welcome?
Vegetarian sausages. Come a tofu, that’s basically a meat. Everyone just comes as a different meat. Chops. Sausage is kind of an easy one.

Okay, complete the sentence: I would love to...
Be better at giving interviews.

Doesn't he sound like fun? You should ring him for tickets. Here's What's On. 09 309 9771

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