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Camille Gavin: Performer as happy in the wings as he is on stage

BY CAMILLE GAVIN, Californian columnist
gavinarts@aol.com | Tuesday, Aug 19 2008 4:22 PM

Last Updated: Tuesday, Aug 19 2008 4:22 PM

Versatility is the name of the game for Jeremiah Heitman. He’s as comfortable acting in such avant garde plays as “Angels in America” as he is in doing parts in more traditional shows such as portraying Mozart in “Amadeus.”

He’s also what you might call a quick-change artist. A year ago, in “History of Rock & Roll: The Movies,” Heitman was called upon shortly before curtain time to fill in for an actor who had dropped out of the fast-paced production.

“I already was playing a lot of parts in the show and this was one I didn’t know too well,” he said, laughing as he recalled the embarrassing experience. “I had to sing ‘Lose Yourself.’ I had the timing down but I was worried about the lyrics so I went on stage with (the words on) my iPod. I covered it up with a hood but it didn’t work out too well.”

Currently, Heitman is preparing for his role in the musical “bare,” which opens Sept. 12 at The Empty Space. He’s also co-directing it with Kristina Saldana. He describes it as a pop opera, strongly influenced by the hit Broadway show “Rent.”

Now 29, the actor got his first stage experience when he was in the fifth grade at Franklin Elementary School.

“We always did a lot of singing in that class and the second half of the year all we did was write lyrics for “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” and we made it into a musical,” Heitman explained.

He continued doing musicals when he was a student at Centennial High School. After graduation he attended Bakersfield College, where he directed several shows and acted in two Shakespeare plays. Interestingly, he has mixed feelings about the Bard’s work.

“I do and I don’t like Shakespeare,” he said. “It’s a great tool for an actor and it’s beautifully written. But it’s not my favorite to watch.”

Heitman completed his bachelor’s degree in theater at UC San Diego in 2004. Since then he’s appeared in numerous local shows as well as in a few productions in Los Angeles. But he’s not sure if he wants to become a professional actor. He recognizes that to do that would require going to many out-of town auditions and as he puts it, “I’m not a big fan of selling myself — of promoting myself.”

There is one role he’d like to do on a more consistent basis, namely stage manager. That’s a behind-the-scenes position that’s critical for the success of any show.

“I enjoy stage managing,” he said. “You have to know all the aspects of the show; you have to bond with the director, gain rapport with the actors and be knowledgeable about all the technical aspects. I like the organization of it.”

Like others involved in local theater, Heitman would like to see more people turn out for auditions.

“I know a lot of people are intimidated (by auditions) but it would be nice if more people came out,” he said. “It’s always nice to see new faces.”

'MEDEA' AT EMPTY SPACE

Cory Rickard as Medea and Brian Sivesind as Jason, head a strong cast in The Empty Space’s powerful production of “Medea.”

I attended last Sunday’s matinee and I heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys classic Greek tragedies. It’s well worth seeing. Final performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, at the theater, 706 Oak St. Admission is free, donations are encouraged. Call 327-PLAY for reservations.

Sivesind, the theater’s founder, is back after a three-year hiatus during which he completed his master of fine arts degree in directing at UC Irvine. Rickard, equally well-known to local audiences, returns after a year at Cal State Los Angeles, where she studied for a master’s degree in theater for social change.

Those playing supporting roles in “Medea” are Barbara Gagnon, Norman Howard Colwell, Matt Christensen, and Don McPherson. Bob Kempf directed.