Will Heibler is Growing a Mustache

Will Heibler is not that aloof kid who thinks he’s too cool for school. He’s funny, confident and amazingly relaxed when it comes to performing and his future plans. A veteran of Performing Arts, Heibler has had several ensemble roles in Fiddler on the Roof, Pirates of Penzance and On the Town and as he prepares for his first lead role as Monsieur Firmin in , he seems ready for the challenge.

Heibler brings a diverse musical background to the stage, which includes experience in BHS Music Makers as a singer and 12 years as a drummer. Heibler plays in a band with his older brother Eric Heibler and describes their genre as hard rock, funk and reggae. Heibler’s older sister and brother all participated in BHS performing arts and it was the production of Les Miserables that convinced him to say, “Wow, I really want to do that.” Find out how he plans to get into a character that he’s nothing like:

Q: Are you excited about this year’s performance?
A: It’s my first lead; my first time on the stage by myself so it’s kind of nerve racking.

Q: Tell us about your character Monsieur Firmin…
A: My character is kind of stuffy and worried about the money of the opera where my partner (played by ) is worried about the talent. He has a dry sense of humor and I’m married but I have to look at the girls in the opera.

Q: How do you get into character?
A: Worrying about money is tough because I’m not like that at all. I’ve gotten into my role by acting like an old man. I puff my chest out and I am growing a mustache for it.

Q: How have you enjoyed being part of BHS Performing Arts over the years?
A: It’s been one of the most eye-opening experiences. It’s the most accepting place in this school in my opinion.

Q: What was the first BHS musical you saw?
A: Li’l Abner. My sister was in it and I came from elementary school [on a field trip] but that’s not when I said I wanted to join. Les Miserables– that was like wow, I really want to do that.

Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: I am not going to college. I am planning on taking a year off and going to Gateway to get my prerequisites. I would want to major in biology. As far as a pipe dream goes– pursuing music ­would be ideal but it’s probably not what I am going to do.

Meet Catherine Pierre-Louis on Thursday in the next installment of Behind the Mask.