Andrew Patrick is living the dream. His high school dream that is.
Patrick, resident director and one of the performers in the long-running show Stomp, saw the production when he was 17.
“I thought ‘I have to be in this show one day,’” says the Massachusetts native. “I auditioned at 21 and got the job in 2002.”
Patrick was a perfect fit for the high-energy production because of his skills in performance, percussion, and dance. “I have all the elements this show brings with it,” he says.
His history with show started in New York, progressed to the U.S. tour, then to Europe.
“I moved to London to do the production. After that closed, I did the European tour and then they asked me to come back and do the North American tour,” he says.
He is enjoying performing in the U.S. again, he adds. “I haven’t played in America for so long. It’s nice to come back.”
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Stomp, coming to Dominion Energy Center March 28 and 29. Since its opening, Stomp has performed in over 350 cities in 36 countries worldwide. Its North American Tour has been running since 1995.
The eight-member troupe in the show uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – think matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with unique rhythms.
Because of his longevity with the show, Patrick has learned seven out of the eight roles. “It helped me really know the show and [the skill] in making music out of unconventional objects,” he says.
In his job as resident director, Patrick casts the show and overseas the 20-plus routines with their choreographed syncopated rhythms. “This show has a lot of movement and action,” he says, noting that the show travels with a physical therapist. “That’s really handy.”
Patrick has discovered he loves directing. “I really enjoy making sure the show is on form where creators want it to be,” he says. “It is challenging. We have five new cast members — there are 12 cast members in total with eight on stage. It’s nice to see their journeys and help guide them.”
The show is a very niche and very specific show to learn, he adds. “There is a lot of improv in the show, maybe 10 to 15 percent. We also take solos, and you have to portray your character.”
Everyone has the freedom to bring themselves to the role, but everything has to “stay in the realm of the character,” Patrick says. “Because it is a very unique show, we change it every few years.”
The show has a growing list of repeat fans in part because each show is fresh and different. “Plus, there is no language barrier,” Patrick says. “Everyone speaks the language of rhythm.”
Stomp comes to Dominion Energy Center March 28-29. Tickets start at $35.
