Theatre Raleigh

An Interview with Rocky Horror star, Jesse Gephart

A man is in red and black lingerie strutting around a stage

Out at The Booth, the sun was just beginning to set as the cast and crew prepared for the evening tech session – when the lights would come on, and the magic would really start to happen.

As we waited for the last bit of daylight to fade, I took the opportunity to speak with Jesse Gephart, who stars as the otherworldly scientist/pleasure-seeker, Dr. Frank-N-Furter. 

Entering his dressing room backstage – which he shares with Penn Holderness, who plays Riff Raff – I found Jesse mid-prep, getting some corset-lacing assistance from the show’s Associate Choreographer, Kate McMillan.

The Allure

As he continued getting ready, I asked Jesse what he thought it was about the show (and the movie it spawned) that generated such a cult following — with hoards of dedicated fans attending midnight showings, where people dance around in their underwear while hurling toilet paper and rice at the screen.

“I think that there is something about the whole ‘freedom of expression, it's totally fine to be totally weird' aspect of the show. It’s like Halloween every day. And Halloween makes people go crazy. At the end of the day, I think it's a show that rocks pretty hard, and it’s so weird, and it’s so sexy. And so unapologetically sexy too. And that excites people.”

The Audience

As we chatted, the sounds of “Sweet Transvestite” fittingly echoed from the stage, where Ethan Andersen – the show’s Music Director – was running through the number on the keyboard.

I asked Jesse about his experience doing the show before (three years ago, at a theatre in Wilmington), and he confessed that it was quite a ride.

“I was not prepared for the audience reaction to it. When I came out the first time for Sweet Transvestite, the audience went so crazy I could feel the walls shake.”

While the thrill of that moment was certainly intoxicating, Jesse mentioned that he wasn’t the only one who felt…overcome during the show. It seems that audience members (understandably) wanted to share in that “intoxicated” feeling – so much so that he once had to stop a performance and ask a particularly disruptive patron to pull it together or leave. 

But he acknowledged that when it comes to Rocky Horror – a show that invites audience members to shout insults and one-liners directly at the stage – you have to be prepared to take it as it comes. Because after all, that’s half the fun.

The Icon

Aside from fending off over-eager audience members, taking on a role made famous (both on stage and screen) by the incomparable Tim Curry comes with a unique set of challenges. 

I asked Jesse how he approached stepping into the shoes of an icon – which, in this case, are a pair of fabulous 5-inch patent leather heels.

“You either honor him, or you do something totally different. And I just don’t think that doing something totally different has benefitted people. So [honoring him] is what I try to do."

Discussing how he walks the line between honoring and imitating, Jesse offered:

“I think a lot of it is in the way that I say things – the vocal quality of it. He was so free in it. And so loose, and a very raw kind of sexy. And then on top of that, it’s whatever I bring as me."

While Tim Curry’s genius in the role is hardly debatable, the actions of his character, Dr. Frank-N-Furter, are much more contentious. When I asked Jesse for his take on Frank, he suggested:

“It’s weird because he’s given this moment at the end, with this beautiful song to sing [“I’m Going Home”]. But he is all about absolute pleasure, all the time, at any cost. And he wants to maintain control of it all. [...] One of the things I love about this production is that in the bedroom scenes [with Brad and Janet], we’ve really been able to ground the scenes in something really true. You get to see Frank work his magic – and it’s not rooted in the visual [referring to the typical treatment of the scenes played in silhouette, for raunchy laughs]. You get to watch him manipulate them, and see it all happen – and that’s fun.”

Making an Entrance

“I do think this might be a little tight. Just a little bit.”

After a brief pause to make sure he could breathe properly in his newly fitted costume (now consisting of a silky red corset, a black mesh bodysuit, fishnets and heels), I asked Jesse what he found to be the most difficult aspect of playing the role.

“I don’t necessarily feel like me, that Jesse, is like a sexy person. So having to embody someone like Frank can be difficult. But I think it will be easier now for me to feel sexy because of what I have on.”

When I mentioned the heels, asking Jesse about his comfort level with them, he revealed that they actually belonged to him, and that he’d worn them before. But while the footwear wasn’t an entirely new experience, he mentioned that there were aspects of the show that were unfamiliar to him.

“I don’t think I’ve ever done a show where it’s like a Britney Spears concert - where I’m in the front, doing minimal movement, while the ensemble is behind me busting their humps and looking amazing."

And when I inquired as to his favorite moment in the show, he answered without hesitation:

“Sweet Transvestite - the whole number, but especially the entrance. My gut tells me that as soon as that piano starts playing, people are going to go crazy.”

We paused for one final corset check.

“Is it tight enough? Can you breathe?”

“No it’s good. [slight pause] I mean, it’s how it should be.”

And in many ways, that was a fitting picture of the role, and of the show itself: sometimes uncomfortable, but always (at least, when laced up right) an undeniably sexy statement that – in it’s own deliciously twisted way – is truly beautiful to behold.

A woman's legs are stretching from the bottom of the poster, clad in red high heels.

Catch Jesse Gephart in The Rocky Horror Show!

Cary’s Booth Ampitheatre
October 27 & 28
7:30pm

Time is fleeting…. Get your tickets now!

Young Performer Spotlight – featuring Huck Borden

Young boy smiling, with light skin and brown hair.

In Huck's words...

What do you like most about acting/performing?
"I love performing because I like to become different characters and bring them to life. I also love live theatre because anything could happen at any moment, it keeps you on your toes! And I really like making new friends who are interested in the same things as me."
How do you balance rehearsals, school work, and being a kid?
"I'm homeschooled so it makes it much easier to do the things I really love. I spend a lot of my time doing theatre related things, but I also really love playing video games online with my friends!"
What has been your favorite experience thus far working on The Adventures of Peter Rabbit and His Friends ?
"I've really enjoyed bringing these classic characters to life, I really like being able to use a British accent, and my castmates are a lot of fun! We all have a lot of fun doing this show together!"
Is there anything you've learned while working on the show?
"I learned how to perform in a black box theater! This is my first time doing a show like this. You have to be sure you are always on and in character and paying attention because the audience is so close to you and can see everything!"
Do you have any advice for kids who want to get into theatre/acting?
"First of all, dont be afraid to try different things your teacher might ask you to do in your theatre classes. Sometimes it might seem crazy or embarrassing, but you have to trust them. And don't forget to have fun! Acting is so much fun!"

In Malissa's words...

What is the best part about raising a young performer?
"My favorite part is watching him learn and grow, and be willing to take on and try new things. Sometimes I feel as though we are on a crazy rollercoaster because there are a lot of ups and downs in this business, but no matter what happens, it's always a lot of fun to just be along for the ride!"
What is the most difficult part about raising a young performer?
"The most difficult part of this life is juggling my career and our home life with his schedule. Finding balance is really hard sometimes, but our family believes that life is short, so live it to the fullest, and don't be afraid to dream big."
What would you say are some of the benefits of getting children involved in theatre?
"The biggest benefits of getting your child into theater is how it helps build their confidence and self-expression! What's more empowering to a child than to teach them it's ok to be seen and heard! It gives them a voice they might not otherwise have in their everyday life."
How involved are you in Huck's work as a young performer?
"I am very involved in the sense that I take him to classes, find the best places and people for him to train with and find him the auditions to go on, but when it comes down to it, he is the one putting in the hours, staying focused on what he wants, and doing all the hard work."
Do you have any tips or advice for parents whose children want to get into theatre/acting?
"My first piece of advice to parents who think they want to get their children into acting is just do it! Find somewhere you trust that have professional teachers and trust the process. With the way technology and the lack of social interaction has taken over our world these days, signing them up to learn about acting and theatre will open up a whole new world to them they didn't even know they needed."

Thank you so much to Huck and Malissa Borden for taking the time to share their thoughts!

Looking for ways to get your child involved in theatre? 

Check out upcoming opportunities on our camps and classes page!