Fletcher Hooten, a Greenwood resident and 2023 Roncalli High School graduate. Hooten is performing in Summer Stock Stage’s production of “A Chorus Line” Thursday through Sunday.
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This was a subject that was familiar.
Fletcher Hooten had always loved the production of “A Chorus Line,” and was determined to audition for it when he had an opportunity.
The musical tells the story of a group of performers all auditioning for a Broadway show. Hooten knew he could get into that world.
The Greenwood resident and recent Roncalli High School graduate hits the stage today in the Summer Stock Stage’s production of “A Chorus Line.” Hooten portrays Richie Walters, an enthusiastic performer who is thrilled to be there — performing is his everything, Hooten said.
“I really relate to this character. I’ve thought of other things I wanted to do with my life, but none of them compare with how performing makes me feel,” he said. “I’ve never had a role that was so close to home.”
The musical tells the story of a group of Broadway performers, all auditioning to be part of an upcoming production. This show-inside-a-show format was a box office box office and critical hit, receiving 12 Tony Award nominations and winning nine, in addition to the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
“A Chorus Line” opens today at Ayres Auditorium at Park Tudor School, 7200 N. College Avenue, Indianapolis. Shows are at 7 p.m. through Sunday, and tickets are $20.
With opening night approaching, Hooten took some time to talk about what drew him into acting, what it’s been like putting this musical together and what makes “A Chorus Line” so unique.
What motivated you to want to try acting in the first place?
“Growing up as a kid, I didn’t really do theater, because it wasn’t a big thing at my school. But I’ve always been a huge fan of movie musicals and things like that — something about people singing and dancing simultaneously made me happy. It was something I found comforting.”
When did you first try out for a production?
“I didn’t do my first production until I was seventh grade. I played a lot of sports, because that’s what people did at my school, but I finally gained the courage to try out for my school musical. From there, I thought it was fun. I felt so comfortable doing it.”
How did you get involved with Summer Stock Stage?
“I knew a couple of people who did it from show choir, who I had seen from other schools who did it. I’d always wanted to do a show outside of my high school, but in the summer, I had been working as a singing gondolier on the canal. It was hard to balance both, so I had to choose having a job and making money. But going into this summer and heading to college, I wanted to do a show to get a different experience and feedback from my directors.”
Why Summer Stock Stage?
“I knew they did amazing productions, and it was close to my house. They were doing ‘A Chorus Line,’ and I’d always wanted to do that show. The moment I auditioned, the people in my audition group, who I didn’t know before, we were all chatting and acting like we knew each other forever. I knew it was the summer production I was supposed to be in.”
What has it been like putting this show together?
“It’s been great so far. Our director (Andrew Winans) teaches us what it’s really like to be in the business. We’re basically actors playing actors, and he talks to us about what performing really does mean to people, and the ups-and-downs of being a performer. He’s really inspiring, and very professional when it comes to rehearsals. It’s the most intense environment I’ve been in for a show. But it’s what I’ve wanted my entire life. It’s so much fun.”
What do you hope people take away from the show?
“I hope they see the individuality of all of the characters. ‘A Chorus Line’ is so great because it’s such a real show — there are topics in it that are so real. It’s still so important today. I hope they laugh, and enjoy the music, and look at some of the characters and see themselves.”
