I love meeting Characterworks stars and learning all about them! To enter to win 1 of 2 family packs to see Shrek on Saturday November 22 at 7 pm, share a comment here about what you enjoyed learning about Jake, aka Shrek! Winners will be announced Nov 19 .
Tell us a little about yourself, age, school, siblings etc…
My name is jake Smith, i’m 17 years old and a senior at Godwin High School. I have an older sister Jessica and a younger sister Isabella.
What role are you playing in Shrek and what are you looking forward to in this role?
I am playing Shrek! This role has been a particular challenge. Shrek has to be a scary ogre and at the same time be a noble hero with good intentions. I am looking forward to portraying such a complex character and singing the beautiful music in this show.
How did you get started in acting, how old were you?
I was 12 years old when i did my first show, “Once Upon a Mattress.” I was in my middle school show choir and every year the whole choir put on a musical.
How long have you been with CW?
While I was in my middle school show choir a few of my friends told me about CWorks so i did a few classes in eighth grade. Then in my freshman year i did my first show.
What is your all time favorite role that you have played?
This question is definitely way too hard to answer! I can’t choose only one so i would have to say a tie between Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Marius in Les Miserables, and Shrek!
What role would you love to play?
I would love to one day get the chance to play Pippin on Broadway. The beautiful music and depth of character in that show continues to amaze me.
Do you have a favorite play that you have seen or want to see?
Pippin is absolutely my favorite musical that I have seen. If I was able to go up to New York and see any show i would see pippin… for the third time.
What are your long term goals?
I plan to go to college and get my BFA in musical theatre and then basically see where that takes me. I love performing and I love music I know that with those two things in my life I will be happy. Because of that my life goals aren’t very specific.
How do you manage juggling school and your theatre interests?
Honestly, managing all of my school activities along with my CWorks activities is quite a task. But my mom and i sit down with the calendar for the year and try to map out everything as best we can. I also go week by week with a list of everything that needs to be done by the end of the week and all of my different rehearsals and things posted on the refrigerator.
What do you like to do when you are not in school or acting?
What is this not in school or acting time you speak of?? dos such a thing exist???
Do you have a favorite movie, book, food?
My favorite movie is The Incredibles. I would have to say my favorite book is “A Walk Across America” by Peter Jenkins, and my favorite food is Pizza.
Any suggestions / advice for the readers and their children that you can share?
All I can say is do what makes you happy. I spent a lot of my school career doing what made me unhappy because of what was considered “cool” or “normal.” If you love something, roll with it, see where it takes you, because as long as you are happy, nothing else matters. (Besides food, water, clothing, and shelter of course!)
