Former Broadway actor, Kip Driver, shares his experience of touring with major productions like "Les Miserables" to life back in Huntsville with Broadway Theatre League. Get a look inside the arts scene and how it has shaped the life of so many, and learn about opportunities to support local performing arts programs.
What are the most memorable moments for you during your time as a professional actor in NYC?
I’ve performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, the NAMT (National Alliance for Musical Theatre) Festival, the NYC Fringe Festival, The Duplex Piano Bar & Cabaret Theatre, and even on a movie set in Brooklyn with Will Ferrell & Uma Thurman. But most of my career was spent on four different Broadway Tours that
were based out of NYC: "CATS," "Martin Guerre" (by the same creative team as Les Mis), "Cinderella," and "Les Misérables."
Can you share some insights into how you prepared for your role in "Les Misérables" and what challenges you faced during that process?
I was initially hired as a swing (covering 11+ characters including Enjolras), so it was important to me as an actor to make them all different and unique. Not only are you responsible for each character’s solos, harmonies, staging, hair and make-up, etc.... you need each character to be authentic and distinctive. Otherwise, you’re not telling the story properly. You want the audience to have the experience that the creator and director of Les Mis intended. These are very big challenges to do correctly but they
are very much worthwhile in the end.
What was it like to tour with "Les Misérables"?
I loved touring with this show, otherwise I certainly wouldn't have done it for four years. Every city has its own unique energy which I love. It was my job to be present every single performance and to listen. So many audience members love Les Misérables more than any other show, so it was my job to live up to those expectations by just bringing those characters to life every single time and simply telling the story.
During your tour, which city stood out to you the most, and why?
The first city that comes to mind is Toronto, Canada. We played there for a few weeks, which is always a bonus, getting to really know the city. Toronto has a thriving arts scene, good public transportation, wonderful restaurants and fun nightlife. It also has some beautiful cemeteries. That might sound odd, but I’ve always found it peaceful to walk through cemeteries in different cities/states/countries.
What influenced your decision to move back to Huntsville after your time on Broadway and touring?
After 36 years away I came back to be closer to my family and spend quality time with them while we still could.
I’m thrilled that now I’m working for Broadway Theatre League as their Director of Communications. It’s a full circle moment for me because I played Huntsville with Les Misérables in 2004 and BTL was our presenter. I remember Andrew Willmon, BTL’s Executive Director, very well from back then, and almost 20 years later we started working together again, but in this different capacity. It still feels very surreal..and awesome!
How has your life changed since returning to Huntsville?
It’s been an adjustment but we’re enjoying a quieter life here versus the exciting but chaotic energy of NYC. My husband and I bought a house and two cars and are just enjoying sitting on the back deck watching our dogs run around or taking a quick drive to the grocery store. These are things you simply don’t have living in NYC.
How do you feel about the performing arts scene in Huntsville?
The performing arts scene here is fantastic! I’ve loved forging relationships with all the different arts organizations: Community & Children’s theatre, the colleges… And the high school theatre has grown so much since I grew up here and that’s so exciting to my inner Huntsville theatre kid from long ago.
What advice would you give to young performers who aspire to make it on Broadway or tour with a major production like "Les Misérables"?
See every single show that you can. The more theatre you consume the better. If you’re ever given opportunities to take workshops or masterclasses with professional actors always do so. You can learn so much from not only working with them but also observing them working with others. That’s why the student workshop program that BTL has with all the Broadway touring companies is so important to me. It’s so crucial to take every single opportunity given to you IF this is what you want to end up doing one day.
And BE YOURSELF! There is no one else like you. Once you’ve done all the training, BRING YOURSELF into the audition room and have fun. You’ve earned it and they will love seeing that in you, even if this isn’t the show/role/time for you. They will remember you.
Do you have any plans to return to the stage, whether in Huntsville or elsewhere?
That is a good question, and I’ve thought about it. It would really have to be the perfect project and the perfect timing for that to happen. When we’re in “Show Week Mode” at BTL it’s not uncommon to work 70 hours a week, and I am placing a big priority on my family time when we don’t have the tours here. Having said that, I’ve also been unofficially working on my “One Man Show” for years. So, it’s possible that Kip’s Kabaret might happen at some point sooner rather than later.
What do you believe is the best way for the community to support the local arts scene and how can individuals get involved to make a meaningful impact?
Go see the shows! Buy season tickets. Tell your friends. Help spread the word. It’s so vital, especially now! Huntsville has community, children’s, high school & college theatre happening all over the place and we bring the Broadway tours here too. There’s room for all of us here, but we must support each other. And you must support us so we can continue providing entertainment for Huntsville.