South Coast Repertory’s production of “Into the Woods” runs through Oct. 18. We chatted with Jake Stiel, a UC Irvine graduate student understudying two leading roles through The Next Stage, a partnership that places student actors into professional theater.
What can audiences expect from the show?
It is a fresh reinterpretation of a classic Stephen Sondheim piece. It takes place in a rundown 1950s carnival in the woods, with themes of chosen family.
How do you balance graduate coursework with rehearsals?
It takes constant communication between professors, my tight‑knit cohort of eight actors at UCI and the team at SCR. My classmates ran lines with me between classes, and the faculty worked to make the schedule manageable so I never felt overwhelmed.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve gained at SCR?
Veteran actor Kim Martin-Cotton gave great advice about understudying. She reminded us that once you know the words and blocking, your only job is to keep the ship afloat. That took an immense amount of pressure off.
What do you enjoy about living in Irvine?
Actor life is full of inconsistency, so having reliable, beautiful weather brings welcome stability. On a deeper level, the community of students, faculty and artists I’ve met here has been the best part.
