Arts & Entertainment

Local Teen Headed to New York Film Academy After 'Bye Bye Birdie'

You can catch the 17-year-old Manhattan Beach lad in "Bye Bye Birdie" in Hermosa Beach in its final four performances this weekend.

The seriously fun musical "Bye Bye Birdie" leaps to life on stage in Hermosa Beach for its final performances this weekend as delivered by the non-profit youth Belasco Theatre Company.

Manhattan Beach resident Jesse Givich, 17, plays Albert Peterson in the production, which is on stage at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse, 710 Pier Ave. 

Patch: How did you get involved in this production?

Jesse Givich:
 I became involved with this production by being with Belasco Theatre Company for several years now. I first joined Belasco three years ago during their production of "Grease," and I have done every show with them since. 

Patch: When did you first realize your interest in acting/musical theater? Explain that moment or situation.

Jesse: I first realized I was interested in musical theater in 9th grade when I was cast in my school's production of "Cuckoos Nest." I loved being on stage and being a part of the cast and it made me realize that this is something I wanted to keep doing.  

Patch: What other productions have you been in in the last two years?

Jesse: In the last two years, I have performed with Belasco in six other shows. Those shows were: "Grease" (Roger), "Damn Yankees" (Mr. Applegate), "Anything Goes" (Lord Evelyn Oakleigh), "Guys and Dolls" (Nathan Detroit), "All Shook Up" (Dean), and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" (J. Pierpont Finch). 

Patch: What do you like about acting/musical theater?

Jesse: I love everything about acting, in all forms. Whether it be straight plays, musicals, movies or television, I think that every facet of the process is incredibly fun. Being part of a cast is great because everyone grows to be really close and you learn a lot from each other. Obviously, the best part is the actual performance, but the rehearsal process is also a lot of fun. Even the behind the scenes stuff, like set design and tech, is interesting. 

Patch: Do you have aspirations for an acting or musical theater career?

Jesse: I do indeed hope one day to have a successful career in acting. I love Broadway and musical theater the most, but there are many other types of acting, and they are all great. Hopefully, someday I can have a resume that includes both stage and film acting. 

Patch: Who has helped you in this endeavor?

Jesse: The biggest people who have helped me are my parents. They have supported me the most and have encouraged me the most to succeed. Not to mention they are the ones who are willing to pay for workshops and lessons and classes. The other people who have helped me are the people who have trained me so far, such as my director Shanti Belasco and vocal coach Melissa Harding. Without them I doubt I would be anywhere near the actor I am today. 

Patch: Do you have an actress or singer you look up to? Who is it?

Jesse: There are a lot of famous and successful actors and singers out there who I look up to, probably too many to name, but mainly I look up to people who I believe commit 100% to a role. People like Leonardo DiCaprio and Neil Patrick Harris are two modern examples of actors who I think stay in character 100% of the time. I also look up to people like Dick Van Dyke and Robert Morse who have had very successful careers both on stage and on camera and who I believe are incredibly talented. 

Patch: Where do you go to school?

Jesse: I just graduated from Fusion Academy this past month, and have been accepted into and will be attending New York Film Academy's two-year acting conservatory this September. 

Patch: What are you doing during the summer once "Birdie" ends?

Jesse: I will most likely be looking for a job and preparing to move to New York in the fall.  

Tickets for "Birdie" cost $17 for adults and $15 for children under 12, seniors and groups of 10 or more.

Visit belasco.org or call (310) 379-4208 for tickets and information.


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