5 Questions with Evan Tylka, the Title Character in North Carolina Theatre's Upcoming Production of "Pippin."

Starting July 6th and running through the 8th, the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory, which is North Carolina Theatre’s flagship training program for budding young actors, will present Pippin at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theatre at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

All actors in the production are participants in the NC Theatre Conservatory’s Master Summer Theatre Arts School. They range from middle school students to rising college students, and all have had the distinction of taking part in a four week summer camp that focuses on pre-professional theatre arts training of the highest caliber.

Here at Triangle Arts Review, we were lucky enough to get an interview with Evan Tylka, who plays the title character in the show.

Q: What do you love most about your role?

Evan understands his vital character in a way that is wise beyond his years. He explains that, “I love the innocent side of my character.” In Evan’s view, “Pippin has no idea what he wants to do with his life, but he is certain of one thing: he wants to be completely fulfilled in life and live a life that is extraordinary.” Evan enjoys and understands these things about the title character, stating that, “Pippin is willing to try anything if it means he could have a chance at meeting his goal.”

Q: What is the most challenging thing about your role?

As well-versed in the character of Pippin as Evan is, he admits that there are certain challenges to playing this role. He says that, “The role of Pippin is vocally and physically demanding.” He notes how “Pippin” never seems to stop moving and always has zest and energy, traits which can be difficult for even a young artist to constantly convey.

Q: What are you most excited for the audience to see?

After a month of intensive work, it’s no wonder that young Evan is excited to show it off. He says he can’t wait for the audience to see “the Bob Fosse style dance that is associated with Pippin,” admitting he’s had a longstanding fascination with Pippin choreography. Also, Evan says he’s “most excited for the audience to see how much work the entire cast has put into the show.” He is confident in the fact that he, along with the rest of the cast and crew, have created a strong ensemble show that audiences are sure to love.

Q: What preparation have you done for your role?

As mentioned earlier, Evan has long been fascinated with the fabulous choreography that must go hand in hand with Pippin. However, this is not the only thing that has prepared him for the role. He shares how, in 2015, he participated in a Broadway workshop, one for which he came prepared to sing Pippin’s “Corner of the Sky.” Evan relates that, “Little did I know, the leader of the workshop was Carly Hughes, who was the leading player in the 2013 revival of the show.” It seems that, in Evan’s case, the preparation for the role, hard work aside, was dealt with largely by fate.

Q: How has this program helped you to grow as a young artist?

Evan proudly shared how he has an incredible six years of musical theater training via North Carolina Theatre Conservatory. Obviously, with that kind of allegiance, he must be getting something out of the deal, right?

He solidifies the answer to this question by stating that the program “has helped me to grow as an artist by allowing me to collaborate with others to create art.” He also praises the fact that the program “gives me the chance to work with some amazing teachers who have taught me everything I know about theatre and…become more skilled as a performer.”

Obviously, Evan’s time spent in the program has been incredibly beneficial, and viewers are welcome to come see the culmination of his and the other cast members’ hard work when Pippin opens.