Getting to Know Connor Shea!

Connor Shea is a Sophomore at Natick High School who is a new intern at Monkeyhouse. The following interview is conducted by Jacob Rosen, another new Monkeyhouse intern.

JR: Hello, Connor! How are you?

CS: Hi, I am doing well thank you.

JR: So, to start off this interview, when and where were you born?

CS: I was born on November 18th at Newton Wellesley Hospital.

JR: Cool! Now, since this interview is happening because of Monkeyhouse, when did you first hear about Monkeyhouse?

CS: Being a part of Natick High School Drama, Monkeyhouse just seems into your mind, but I remember during Freshman year Nicole invited me to a Monkeyhouse event on Facebook and I was interested in what it was, so I looked into it and I found out about Monkeyhouse as a result.

JR: That’s like how I found out about Monkeyhouse! For those who may not know you, what are some of your interests?

CS: I am really interested in theater and speech, I really love performing! I also am a really big movie buff.

JR: Theater and speech are some of my favorite activities as well! Since you are a movie buff, what is your favorite movie?

CS: I can say, totally, without a doubt, it is Polar Express. I can watch that movie any time of year and I have watched it countless times! It is the greatest movie I have ever seen.

Connor (Left) as Mark Cohen in
"Rent: School Edition", a production
put on by Wellesley Theater Project 

JR: Let’s segue to your love of theater, when did you get started in theater and what was your first show?

CS: Wow, I remember being podded into theater in 4th grade by my mother to do a program at Walnut Hill. I did it and I adored it, then it’s all downhill from there (Laughs). The show we put on was Charlotte’s Web, I played Gander and Mr. Arable. I was the only boy so they had me play all of the boy parts, I loved it nonetheless.

JR: Wow, that sounds like a great experience. Speaking of experiences, what theater companies have you worked with?

CS: I have worked with Natick High School Drama, Natick Drama Workshop, the Walnut Hill theater program, Wellesley Theater Project and Wilson Middle School Drama.

JR: That is quite an impressive resumé. What are your, let’s say, top 3 roles you have portrayed?

CS: Let’s see, the first one that comes to mind is Mark Cohen in Rent, he was just such a privilege to play, Emmett in Legally Blonde was a blast, pure and simple, and lastly I have to say playing Sir Harry in Once Upon a Mattress this past November was a fun and difficult experience,  Sir Harry and I spent some quality time together haha.

JR: Are you working on any show right now?

CS: No, however I am working toward my audition for Little Women: The Musical, that is being directed by Monkeyhouse's own Marie Libbin. So I am excited for that.

JR: I am thrilled for that too, it’s going to be a great show. Continuing on with our subject of theater, what do you like most about theater?

CS: I can confidently say that the environment of theater and the comradery everybody in the theater community has for each other and the work that we are doing. It sounds like a huge cliche, I know, but while most cliches start with a grain of truth, this one started with a bolder of truth. Theater is a place to escape to for me, a place where everybody can fit in. I love it with all of my heart.

JR: Seems like you have some mighty affectionate feelings toward the theater community, that’s great to hear. So, speech, what exactly is speech and how did you get involved?

CS: I guess you could describe it as competitive acting and speaking, however it is so much more than that, to really understand speech you must experience it. I got involved in the 6th grade because my friend was poking and prodding me to join, so I did and I fell in love with it, it is something that found it’s way into my heart and something that I love about is that the activity allows you to push the boundary of the rules and what is deemed acceptable. You couldn’t do that in a sport, you can’t walk into the batters box of a baseball field and decide to catch the ball that the pitcher throws at you. In speech you can find ways to make the activity your own, and not just whatever you are told. Also I like dressing up for the tournaments, for competition everybody gets dressed up in what we call festival dress, which is a different way of saying suit and tie, skirt suit etc.

JR: That is definitely an activity that you seem to put your heart into. Jumping back to theater, what are your strengths? Acting, singing, or dancing?

Connor (Right) as Sir Harry in Natick High Schools
production of "Once Upon A Mattress"

CS: I can say that I feel my strength lays in my voice. I love to sing and I love taking something small, like a song, and making it large. I remember one time, it was the callback for Once Upon a Mattress, I was told to sing my song (Go The Distance from Hercules) as a buff crazy sports coach, it was so fun to make it crazy and take something that seemed small and making it large and wild.

JR: I can certainly attest to the fact that you have a wonderful voice. In conclusion, what do you want to accomplish through Monkeyhouse?

CS: I wish to better myself both in dancing and the art of theater. It is going to be great not working with kids (my own age) for once. I am looking forward to working with such an amazing organization.

JR: Thank you for your time, and best of luck with Little Woman, so pumped to work with you and Monkeyhouse. Jacob and Connor love Monkeyhouse!!

Getting to Know Jacob Rosen

by Connor Shea

Jacob as Bud Frump in Weston Drama

Workshop's production of "How To
Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"

I had the honor of interviewing Jacob Rosen. Jacob is a Sophomore at Natick High School and a new intern to Monkeyhouse; as am I. Jacob is truly an unique, and interesting individual. Jacob Rosen was born on February 7th, 1998 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His family moved to Massachusetts when he was 2; they lived in Belmont. From there, they continue to move around Massachusetts; from Wayland then to Natick when he was 4. The family has been settled in Natick ever since.

Now, I have known Jacob for quite a while and I assumed I knew all of his interests. Well, I was mistaken! To my surprise, Jacob’s interests extends from writing to running to theatre to music! WOW! I was truly surprised when I found out the Jacob has a passion for writing. I was beyond curious as to how this all came about and he answered with that he always had a, “will to create.” That was always something writing gave to him. He then proceeded to talk about how writing was a way he could express himself. Jacob referred to writing as therapeutic.  For Jacob, he believes writing makes you discover things about yourself that you never knew. Jacob also believes that writing is very introspective. Well, I had no clue what introspective meant. So, I did some research and the word introspective comes from the word introspection; which is the examination or observation of a person’s mental and emotional process. You could say that Jacob is quite into his writing and has a genuine, caring passion for his work; which is quite admirable. Jacob has self published some of his original stories but feels they aren’t quite ready for the public yet. I have no doubt one day they will be, and they are sure to be magnificent! I cannot wait to read them someday!

Jacob (middle) as Feldzeig in Natick

High School Drama's production of 

"The Drowsy Chaperone"

Next, I wanted to delve into Jacob’s theatre story. I believe that it is one that everyone needs to hear. It is a story of perseverance, dedication, motivation and really a story of a boy with a love for theatre. As cliche and cheesy as that all sounds; it is not far from the truth! In his younger years, Jacob played many sports. Sports ranging from baseball, to basketball, to football and even soccer! That is quite the athlete! Up to his 5th grade year, sports was all Jacob endured. “...thought I’d be a sports kid.” is how Jacob put it to me. Until he entered the realm of theatre as a fifth grader in Natick Drama Workshop’s (NDW) production of The Wild, Wild, Wildest West!  From there, Rosen fell in love the atmosphere that was and still is theatre. “It enticed me more than sports...” Jacob told me. He then continued to be a part of theatre throughout middle school. Working with Wilson Middle School Drama; Jacob preformed in productions such as Beauty and the Beast Jr. as Monsieur D’Arque, Phineous Trout in Willy Wonka Jr., Chi Fu in Mulan Jr., and finally Papa Ge in Once on This Island Jr.  

Jacob as General Mackenzie in Natick

High School Drama's production of

"And Then There Were None"

By 8th grade, Rosen decided that theatre was the way to go.  However, the same year he discovered his new love for theatre, Jacob was also diagnosed with cancer. As to a result of that cancer, Jacob lost his eye. Something that no 8th grader or anyone for that matter, should have to go through. But he was a trooper and did not let anything get in his way of what he loved. He snatched every opportunity he had in front of him, and he excelled in every way. When I asked him what motivated and inspired him to persevere and pursue theatre, he automatically responded, “My mom.” He mentioned how she was always there for him and always pushed him to try his best; that she was always supportive in all his life decisions. He paused, then continued with another role model of his, Sandy Duncan. Sandy Duncan is best known for her portrayal as Peter Pan in Peter Pan. Sandy Duncan also lost her eye due to cancer. However, she continued and did not let anything stop her from doing what she loved. Jacob talked about how he felt the same way and used Sandy Duncan and her story a way to motivate himself; that if she could do it, so could he. “I admire her courage. She wasn’t afraid to put herself out there. She didn’t let her injury hinder her performance as an actor. She also didn’t let it hinder her life.” His motivation and perseverance shows as Jacob has continued on with theatre to do this day; and plans to continue far off into the future. Jacob has worked with many companies including: Natick Drama Workshop (NDW), Weston Drama Workshop (WDW), Natick High School Drama, Wilson Middle School Drama, Alexander Children’s Theatre School (ACTS), and Boston Children’s Theatre (BCT). Some of Jacob’s favorite roles and shows he has been in include: Feldzeig in The Drowsy Chaperone, General Mackenzie in And Then There Were None, Bud Frump in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and Chip Tolentino in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Jacob as George in Natick High School

Drama's production of "High Society"

Jacob is currently in the Alexander Children’s Theatre School’s (ACTS) current production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Chip Tolentino. The production is showing on February 14-16 and performing at the Emerson Umbrella for the Arts. You can go to www.ACTS1.org for more information! The one word to describe Rosen’s experience at ACTS is “eyeopening.” He hopes that everyone enjoys the show!

To conclude our interview, Jacob would just like to emphasize how ecstatic he is to be a part of Monkeyhouse. He can simply not wait to begin this new adventure! I am so honored to have been able to interview such an amazing, talented, well rounded guy like Jacob. It was truly an awesome time!