Actor Jason Schmidt chatted about starring in the new series “Grease: Rise Of The Pink Ladies” on Paramount+ and being an actor in the digital age.
‘Grease: Rise of The Pink Ladies’
“My experience in ‘Rise of the Pink Ladies’ was an absolute dream,” he admitted. “I was a junior in college when I got cast in the show. I was studying Musical Theatre at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh.”
“Throughout my college process, I grew really interested in pursuing a career in film but music and dance were a huge part of my life. To be cast in a project where I got to incorporate all of it was perfect,” he explained.
“The cast was assembled of almost entirely new comers. We were all going through the ups and downs of learning how to do our best. We spent a lot of time together and I have so many dear friends from the experience,” he added.
“This show is the most fun you’ll have this year,” he said. “The creative team, cast, and crew put their hearts and souls into this baby. The music is touching, the dancing is electrifying, and the performances are next level.”
Portraying Buddy
Schmidt opened up about playing his character Buddy. “I love Buddy’s bravery,” he admitted. “Buddy goes on quite the journey through the show. He begins in a place of blindness. He can’t see the way he lives his life is a privilege. The people around him, even some he cares deeply about, don’t step into their individuality because of the confines of the culture.”
“When his eyes begin to open, thanks to the antics of the Pink Ladies, he has to make a big decision. Does he turn away and keep living his life the same or make some changes? It takes bravery to confront and make that decision,” he added.
Future plans
On his plans for the future, he shared, “I have so many plans. I write music, as well as act. Next up for me I’m going to be recording an album that I’ll hopefully release in the next year or so. I’ve released a few EPs on all platforms but this will be my first full length album.”
The digital age
On being an actor in the digital age, now with streaming and technology being so prevalent, Schmidt said, “There’s two competing factors here, in my eyes. There are more projects available but there are also more actors than ever. It can be hard to work consistently but there’s more chances to get seen because more roles need to be filled.”
“Overall, I find it exciting. There’s so much being created and so much I would want to be a part of,” he added.
Dream acting partners
Schmidt listed Florence Pugh and Timothée Chalamet as his dream acting partners to someday work with.
“Those would be my top picks. I am just in awe of all of their performances. I think they bring so much honesty to each project they work on. I feel like I learn every time I watch them, so I can’t even imagine how much I would learn working with them,” he explained.
Motivations
Regarding his daily motivations as an actor, he said, “We have such a unique opportunity in the arts to touch people’s lives. Storytelling offers a way for people to see themselves in others’ shoes and maybe to teach them a nugget about themselves.”
“For me, I love the empathy acting teaches me. I get to explore the psyches of all these endlessly different human beings and yet each is a slice of me somehow. It teaches me a lot about others and myself,” he added.
Success
On his definition of the word success, Schmidt said, “For me, personally, success means fulfillment. I think it’s always dangerous to measure success in worldly standards. No matter if you’re getting any project you choose or struggling to get one. It still runs the risk of you feeling unachieved.”
“There is always something else you haven’t done or an award you have not received. In my career I want to spend my time working on projects I’m passionate about. Those special projects that really mean something to me. If I do that on a consistent basis I’ll be successful,” he said.
To learn more about actor Jason Schmidt, follow him on Instagram.
