Schools

Aida: Sam Bibbins Becomes a Villain

Unlike who he is in real life, Sam Bibbins will become the villain of Aida.

Senior Sam Bibbins will be portraying his first villain character when he takes the stage as Zoser for the spring musical . He confesses that though all seven characters he has played through the years at have had some interesting personalities, is the farthest from who he actually is.

Bibbins has been on the high school varsity baseball team and a member of the national honor society in addition to participating with the performing arts program. A veteran of the fall play program, Bibbins most recently held a lead role in the .

Envisioning life beyond BHS when he graduates this June, Bibbins said he hopes to extend his performing arts career as a film producer.

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Without further ado… meet the villain of Aida:  

Branford Patch: Congratulations on your hard work through the years on the BHS stage. Do you have plans to continue performance after graduation? "
Sam Bibbins: I have been looking into on stage acting beyond the BHS stage. It's an interest I've always had that has been recently rekindled, so it is a definite possibility. However, I'm currently working on pursuing a future from the director's standpoint with film rather than the actor on stage.

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Branford Patch: How are you dealing with the fact that Aida will be your last time on the BHS stage?
Sam Bibbins: I don't think it's hit me yet that this is the last time I'll be performing for the high school. It's been a great four years but I'm still focused on finishing my job with Zoser and making it the best that I can.

Branford Patch: If you had to offer one small piece of advice to aspiring young actors hoping to head to the stage what would it be?
Sam Bibbins: To young actors, the piece of advice I would give them would be to commit 100% of themselves into the roles they play. In my mind, it's this dedication from an actor that makes the role and overall, the entire show realistic and believable.

Branford Patch: Can you pick one defining moment of your BHS stage career and tell readers a little about it?
Sam Bibbins: A true defining moment for me is from earlier this year at the end of the second show of "Twelfth Night". I remember the ovation and the excitement and energy of the crowd, as we took our bows. After four years of commitment to the BHS productions, it's great to feel that all your performances are really hitting home for the audience. From an actor's standpoint, there is no higher honor.

Branford Patch: You’re gearing up to play the lead of Zoser, Chief Minister of Egypt and father of Radames. How do you feel about playing a character who seems to stop at nothing to advance his son’s rule? Are you shrewd like that in real life?
Sam Bibbins: It's the first time I've ever played as intense a character as Zoser so in that sense, I'm excited to have been given the opportunity to take on the challenge. I'm having a great time playing the villain this time around. It's sometimes a fun time to play the bad guy. However, this character could not be any further from my real life persona. I'm not at all like this character, but that's part of the challenge and the enjoyment.

Branford Patch: Of all the characters you have ever portrayed, how does Zoser compare?
Sam Bibbins: As I said, Zoser is the first villain I've ever portrayed so it's a definite departure from other roles I have played. At this point, I've portrayed over seven different characters, and each one has it's own unique twist about it, but I can honestly say that I've never played a character like Zoser. It's without a doubt, a new challenge I've been dealt.

Branford Patch: What has been the hardest obstacle to surmount while performing?
Sam Bibbins: Aside from the highly demanding vocal parts in the music. The hardest part for me to have had to overcome is acting like I'm at war with my best friend, Noah Perito. Because he plays Radames, we have plenty of on stage shouting matches that are difficult to show because we're always making each other laugh.

Branford Patch: In a few words, why should people come out to this show?
Sam Bibbins: It's going to be an incredibly powerful performance that each member of the audience with thoroughly enjoy. You know it's a great show when each and every member of the cast has put as much work in as I've ever seen!    


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