20 Questions with Ryan Gu
Austin’s ZACH Theatre has long been known for its talented teams of creative individuals from over the years. From gripping productions like Tribes and Notes From the Field to mesmerizing fairytales like Disney’s Beauty and The Beast and even lighthearted fare like Tortoise and Hare, audiences have seen immense talent grace the stage, and their production of Matilda the Musical is no different.
We were lucky enough to ask some of the production’s rising stars a few questions to get to know the kids behind Matilda the Musical, including Ryan Gu who plays Nigel on stage. In the past, he’s graced the stage in Singin’ in the Rain (Young Cosmo) in 2017 and A Christmas Carol (Tiny Tim) in 2015 and 2016.
20 Questions with Ryan Gu
Ryan Gu
How old are you? 11 years old.
What's your favorite food? Sushi Burritos.
What makes you smile? My Family.
Who inspires you? My parents, my brother, my teacher, and my friends.
What is your favorite animal? Pomeranians.
What's your Superhero name and what powers do you have? Zygdos, and the power of the elements.
How do you best help others? Being youthful and fresh.
What are you most thankful for? Everything my peers, parents, and educators have done for me.
What's your favorite place in Austin? Zach Theatre and Zilker Park.
What's your favorite thing to do with your parents? Playing Just Dance
What's it like performing in front of other kids? It’s magical and it makes me feel comfortable performing in front of a big audience.
What makes you feel confident on stage? The fact that I might change someone else’s life.
How do you prepare for showtime? I sing along with the radio in the car, Go over my lines and choreography, and stretch.
Who is your favorite cast member? It’s hard to pick, but Wilkes, Cameron, and Samantha are good candidates.
What character makes you laugh the most? The Wormwoods and Rudolpho.
What made you want to get into acting? My brother and seeing his first show.
How has ZACH Theatre helped you develop as an actor? They taught me how to behave in a show, how to prepare for a show, and how to practice and improve my singing, acting, and dancing.
What's your favorite thing about acting? Being someone else is really fun, but adding your own twist to the character is the best.
Do you ever get nervous on stage? Sometimes, I feel nervous before I enter,but when I’m performing, I feel like I’m on top of the world.
What's one role you'd love to play someday? I don’t know yet, I still need to explore my acting career a bit more.
Tickets for ZACH Theater’s Matilda the Musical, are currently on sale, and the show will run in The Topfer at ZACH until May 12, 2019. Feature photo by Kirk Tuck.