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Interview with Cory Haas
Just as we were wondering whether we would ever find Statu Quo’s Simon, Cory Haas showed up at our door. Impressed by his timing, we offered him his first professional contract in French. A graduate from Capilano University in Acting for the Stage and Screen, this young actor born in France brings a cosmopolitan edge to Simon – literally, a tailor-made role for him.
Cory Haas
What made you want to work on Statu Quo with Théâtre la Seizième? I knew of Théâtre la Seizième, so I sent my info to Craig Holzschuh, the Artistic Director, after finishing my studies. A week later he calls me in for an audition! For me, this is a golden opportunity to work in my first language. I’m also drawn to the fact that Statu Quo is a new script. This is my first new play and my first professional tour.
Statu Quo speaks to, among other things, the difficulty of choosing a career when you’re young. For you, what was the event, the moment, when you realized you wanted to work in the theatre? I always wanted to be a pilot! After high school, I began studying to become a pilot, but I found I was a little young to be one. I wanted to go to university and so I decided to study theatre. And now that’s what I’m doing! I still haven’t abandoned the idea of getting my pilot’s license; I just want to continue pursuing my goals in the theatre. I think I would eventually like to direct or be an artistic director.
Statu Quo is your first professional experience in French. Does the fact that you’re doing this in French cause any particular problems? Statu Quo is written in Canadian French and certain usages and expressions clash a little with my French accent. At first, we considered giving me voice lessons to flatten out the accent, but then Gilles was kind enough to simply adjust Simon’s language level. I find the different accents bring an interesting colour to both my character and the story.
What do you think of Simon, your character? Do you see yourself in him, or not at all? Simon is a military brat and he’s moving constantly. When I was young, I also moved around a lot. I went to 13 different schools in France! I liked meeting new people and discovering new cities, but Simon seeks stability. What’s great about him is that he’s found that stability inside himself, with his music. I understand that feeling.
What’s waiting for you after Statu Quo? I’m the Assistant Director at Capilano for the musical The Boy Friend, which will be performed until April 7th. Naked Love, a play I co-wrote, will also be presented during the Fringe Festival in September.
