“10 Things” is a regular feature in which the Sioux Falls Stage staff answers 10 burning questions with a local performing artist—this quarter we feature collegiate arts professional and Good Night Theatre Collective member, Brittany Hanson.

1. Describe the moment you knew you wanted to be an actor.

I’m not sure there was a particular moment that I knew I wanted to be a performer. My friends and I would make up plays, skits and songs, and we would perform for my parents in the living room or in the front yard for whomever would happen to be going by. My parents signed me up for children’s choirs, camps and anything they could find to give me an outlet for my constant singing. Junior high school was probably when I must have really known because I worked my tail off and auditioned for absolutely everything—I even learned to yodel for the spring musical!

2. What do you consider the single-most defining moment of your performing career?

During the first month of my freshman year in college I was cast as one of the four principal roles in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Before that, I had never performed at a level even close to that. It was a defining moment to be cast amongst much more experienced actors than myself and to take on the challenging story of a Shakespeare piece. The process and performances showed me the incredible storytelling power of theatre.

Hanson performs as fame-hungry background player Carla Boyd in Good Night’s April 2019 production of Daytime: A Soap Opera Musical. — **Hanson performs as fame-hungry background player Carla Boyd in Good Night’s April 2019 production of *Daytime: A Soap Opera Musical*.**

3. Name three of your biggest theatre résumé highlights.

Coloratura Soprano in Opera South Dakota
Rosemary in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Any of the times I’ve been able to perform in an original work!

4. Who do you consider your biggest acting influences?

My days within the theatre department at the University of Sioux Falls were incredibly formative, so I’d have to say Kim Bartling, Rebekah Merriman, and Joe Obermueller were my biggest influencers. And, Amy Morrison is who I have to thank for influencing my vocal performance.

5. What’s your favorite non-theatre-related pastime?

Watching movies, TV and playing video games. (I can be quite a couch potato.)

6. What’s your dream theatre role?

Genie in Aladdin would be so fun because of the physicality, anything Jason Robert Brown is a winner for me because of the fantastic music and storytelling and I absolutely LOVE the musicals Dogfight and Ordinary Days.

7. What’s your ideal wrap-party menu?

The menu doesn’t really matter to me—it’s all about the company! I just love being with the cast and crew to celebrate. I suppose a fun cocktail and some appetizers don’t hurt, though!

8. Deserted island game—pick three scripts to take with you.

Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring
West Side Story by Bernstein, Laurents & Sondheim
Godspell by Schwartz & Tebelak

9. What’s your hope for the next generation of theatre artists?

Take a holistic approach to theatre by learning everything. Working in every aspect of theatre will help you have a better understanding and appreciation of the entire art form, which will help you to take it to the next level!

10. Give advice to fellow theatre artists in just five words.

Above all, tell the story.

10 Things with Brittany Hanson