To announce your intentions to pursue a liberal arts degree one quarter of the way into the current millennium requires a quality of courage that warrants applause. But to tell friends and family that you want to major in a performing art suggests the aspirant be seen in the concussion protocol tent set up on NFL sidelines. The path from posting TikTok videos of you and your pals woohooing to paying bills by acting, singing or dancing is long and treacherous. Imagine a lengthened out roller derby rink with throngs of others throwing elbows to get ahead, each combatant singing Get out and Stay Out. And yet there is beauty and bravery when someone says “So what!” to the naysayers. They know It’s a Hard Knock Life and yet belt out I’m Not Throwing Away My Shot while raising a defiant fist.
The young people profiled here — local high school seniors planning on majoring or minoring in acting — are terrific. They’ve performed before hundreds and hundreds, greatly impressing their fans and families, and at least one local theater critic. Now it’s your turn to be wowed. Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, the Alameda Post proudly presents 5Q4: Bailey Buckingham and Sydney Mersch.
Bailey Buckingham
Was there a performance by an actor that made you say, oh wow, that’s it, I want to do that?
An actor who sparked my interest in performing in musical theater would have to be Liza Minelli. She is a huge inspiration to me. She’s not just a singer, she’s a dancer, an actress, and ultimately a showstopper when she is on stage. Her performances made me realize that musical theater isn’t just about singing pretty songs, it’s about storytelling, character work, and pushing yourself creatively in every way possible.
Best role you’ve had so far, dream part you want to play someday?
A dream role that I have had in my mind for a long time is playing Miss Hannigan in Annie. Her character and range is unbelievable. All the amazing actresses that I have seen take on this role have drawn me closer to the character herself. The mix of cynicism, vulnerability, and her humor would be so fun to explore!
Oscar speech: Name two people you plan on thanking.
If I were to give an Oscar speech, I would definitely thank the two directors who have helped, pushed, and encouraged me throughout my journey in theater — Anneka Fagundes and Tyler Null.
Every actor has stories of a show where something went really wrong. What’s yours?
Oh my gosh, there definitely has been more than one mishap that I’ve experienced on stage, but my worst would have to be saying a castmate’s name on stage during a performance. In my defense, it was after a very long week.
What’s your superpower as an actor?
I think my superpower within theater is connecting with the audience. This superpower allows me to understand their reactions, their emotions, and what they’re experiencing in the moment, enabling me to adjust my performance accordingly and create a truly immersive experience as much as I can for them.
Sydney Mersch
Was there a performance by an actor that made you say, oh wow, that’s it, I want to do that?
When I found out I wanted to be on stage indefinitely, it was watching Matilda on Broadway in 2016. Matilda was my favorite storyline ever because I felt like her alot of the time as a kid. The little girl’s performance was perfect, and the choreography included swings on stage, so you didn’t have to ask me twice. Seeing that in New York City, the center of the best theater in America, set me on a path you couldn’t rip me off if you tried. In terms of acting for the screen — what I’m headed to college for — there were endless amounts of movies that really sunk the idea into me. I’d say the best one I can think of is Lady Bird. That was one of those movies that I watched at the age of 10, and I understood the difference in feeling and connection that indie movies convey, versus a blockbuster. I could feel Saoirse Ronan’s performance, and I realized that this is the type of film that I want to be a part of.
Best role you’ve had so far, dream part you want to play someday?
The best role I’ve played so far was Sarah at The Speakeasy SF — a 10-year-old child forever in a room full of adults, with a drunkard father in the 1920s. She changed my life, I did 63 shows as her, in my favorite North Beach theater, and I am a different person for it. My dream role is Roxie in Chicago. As I’ve grown up, it’s molded into Cassie in A Chorus Line. Two characters who can stop a room with their dancing.
Oscar speech: Name two people you plan on thanking.
I plan on thanking the casting agent who saw something in me, and my brown dachshund, Clark, who I don’t yet have, but hopefully will by the time I have an Oscar. And obviously my family, whom I love dearly.
Every actor has stories of a show where something went really wrong. What’s yours?
The summer after my freshman year I was in the show Heathers, which Bailey was actually in as well, but we endured quite the catastrophe. Directly after our first weekend, one of the leads got Covid. It was scary, but the director had it under control, putting in other people. Slowly, Covid spread like wildfire, and we were dealing with 30-plus kids with the sickness. There were only two people in the entire cast that didn’t get it. We were forced to postpone the final weekend by a week, but still didn’t have some actors, considering we hadn’t planned for this delay.
What’s your superpower as an actor?
I’ve been told a lot over the years that my best quality as an actor is my reliability. It allows directors to be able to put me in a lot of different situations and roles on stage, and not really have to worry that it won’t fit in with their plan. I think I view shows in a more holistic way, seeing everything all at once and where I, and others belong in that equation.
Both of these actors can be seen on stage in Alameda High’s upcoming Spring Musical, Cinderella, opening March 28 with performances until April 5th.
Gene Kahane is the founder of the Foodbank Players, a lifelong teacher, and former Poet Laureate for the City of Alameda. Reach him at [email protected]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Gene-Kahane.
