“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 Bare Bodkins Theatre Co. and Sioux Empire Community Theatre (SECT) performer Rick Huffman.

1. What is the single-most defining moment of your performing career?

Working with Ivan Fuller (Augustana University, Bare Bodkins Theater Company) and discovering I could do Shakespeare. I had never done it before and of course was always intimidated by it. But Ivan was brilliant, of course, and helped me understand it all.

2. Describe the moment you knew you wanted to be an actor?

Easy—elementary school, one night I went to bed crying because I wanted to be on The Partridge Family!

Huffman accepts the first-ever Sioux Falls Stage Award for Best Featured Actor for SECT’s Mamma Mia! (Photo Credit: Rachel Winters) — Huffman accepts the first-ever Sioux Falls Stage Award for Best Featured Actor for SECT’s *Mamma Mia!* (Photo Credit: Rachel Winters)

3. What is your favorite non-theatre-related pastime?

I’m a dad, so a lot of time with my daughter Isabelle. Otherwise, sports and movies.

4. Name three of your dream theatre roles.

Macbeth in Macbeth
Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire
Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar

5. Highlight three of your proudest theatre résumé moments.

Any of my Bare Bodkins Shakespeare roles; Being cast as “Sonny” in Grease in a professional production in Omaha, the youngest cast member out of all of the people who auditioned for the production; Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun, my sophomore year in high school—my first show, first leading role.

6. What’s your acting warmup routine?

I guess I’ve already spent all day thinking about the show anyway, so just the usual— check props, go up on stage and wait for warm-ups, chat with everyone. I hate the make-up part, so I don’t look forward to that. The only worry pre-show (actually all through the show) is the damn microphone thing staying in place!

7. What’s your ideal wrap-party menu?

Now, or when I was young?! Now, it’s go home and rewind that night’s show in my head. When I was younger… I probably shouldn’t say!

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

Complete Works, William Shakespeare
Complete Works, Tennessee Williams
Complete Works, Arthur Miller

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

For Sioux Falls? Just more and more opportunities to perform.”

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

Listen to the other actors.

10 Things with Rick Huffman