Artist in Residence: Topher Grace ’97
F
or a week in January, the cast of Bye Bye
Birdie welcomed a special guest to the stage. Actor Topher Grace ’97 returned to campus
as an Artist in Residence to offer his acting expertise to the cast and to attend performing arts courses to share his insights with students.
In acting class, the students learned about the
process of working in film and television, both in front of and behind the camera, said drama
instructor Guinevere Boston. “The students asked
great questions and really took the opportunity to
listen and get to know Topher, and share with him some of what they have done in acting.”
With Grace’s guidance, film class students began
sketching a script for the short film they produced
for the introduction to Bye Bye Birdie (See page 10.)
Topher encouraged the students to throw out ideas
The cast and crew of Bye Bye Birdie with Artist in Residence Topher Grace ’97
and helped them to generate enough ideas to start
a script. The next day Topher spent the morning working with a group
played Albert in Bye Bye Birdie. “His best advice to me was that if I wanted
filming scenes for the opening video sequence of the production.
not the way others feel I should. When you work with someone as successful
of acting students, including Will Foote ’13 (who played Conrad Birdie),
to be successful in this field, I should play a part the way I want to play it, and intelligent as Topher Grace, it makes you bring your ‘A game.’”
Topher also spoke to film appreciation
class about the process of making movies and about his time at Brewster. Bye Bye Birdie “The first rehearsal [with Topher] was
a blast.” Boston said. “We focused on
a pivotal ensemble number. Again, we worked as a group to generate ideas and then we got up on our feet and
got to work. The students were full of
“His best advice to me was that if I wanted to be successful in this field, I should play a part the way I want to play it, not the way others feel I should. When you work with someone as successful and intelligent as Topher Grace, it makes you bring your ‘A
enthusiasm and energy, and we had really
game,’” said Bryce Shipman ‘15
fun and exciting results.”
“Topher was really invested in working
with the students in a hands-on way and paid a lot of attention to their ideas and
creative input. The students were really
able to interact with him and create with
him, and I think that this helped validate their hard work and creativity. He did a great job listening to them and getting
them involved, and they did a great job
‘showing up’ – they stayed focused, open, thoughtful, and playful,” Boston said.
She also noted, “I think that it meant a lot to the whole student body
“He’s awesome,” said Foote. “The first day we just sat on stage and he
to hear about how important his time at BA was. He made a point of
pounded out so many suggestions. He doesn’t just go with the script. He
stressing to them that this time in their lives is the time to try new things;
gets really creative.”
that they should pursue the passions they have and discover new ones.”
“On the final day with Topher on the set, he spent the rehearsal with
For those who haven’t seen Topher on the big screen, plan to catch him
scenes with some principals, and running through one of the large
ensemble cast. He also appears in what’s been called an “anti-romantic
the cast working on a big ensemble piece, working on a few smaller
in April when The Big Wedding opens, a comedy romance featuring an
chorus numbers,” Boston explained. “I think that the students in drama
comedy” A Many Splintered Thing (no release date yet).
were inspired by having someone who has achieved success in the
entertainment industry take time to give attention to the play and to a film project,” she said.
“Working with Topher Grace gave me an opportunity to work hands on with someone who has found success in acting,” said Bryce Shipman ’15, who
6
BrewsterConnections – Spring 2013
Grace’s Acting Credits Television: That ‘70s Show Film: Traffic, Spider-Man 3, Valentine’s Day, Take Me Home Tonight Stage: Lonely, I’m Not