*LAND OF CLEVE INTERVIEW: * * Winging It With Local Actor * * Pat Miller* *Star of Blank Canvas Theatre's * * Batty Musical 'Bat Boy'* *Land of Cleve: You have appeared in Ohio as Bat Boy in college before your current run at Blank Canvas -- how is your appearance different, and how is it the same?Pat: I first performed this role my freshmen year of college at the University of Toledo. I was studying film and studio art, but still had an interest in theatre. Auditioning as a college freshmen, I was simply hoping to be cast in the show. I can still remember seeing my name next to Bat Boy on the cast list, and being filled with excitement and fear!Luckily, both of these experiences have been completely different – and I mean that in a good way. I was unfamiliar with the material when I first began this journey. Thankfully, the college rehearsal process was much longer, allowing me more time to learn the music, memorize the lines, and discover how to transform into this creature. I owe a great deal to the University of Toledo production staff, including my director Dr. Edmund B. Lingan, my musical director Jim Norman, and my choreographer Jessica Bonnenfant-Coogan.Eight years later, I am pleased with how quickly the music and lines came back to me. This has been extremely beneficial during the five week rehearsal process at Blank Canvas Theatre. I have been able to focus more on my physical transformation, detailing every movement and motivation to make Bat Boy as real as possible. Director Patrick Ciamacco has helped me immensely with discovering all kinds of new ways to physically and emotionally divest in this role.One of the coolest differences between these two experiences has been my appearance. We went a little more natural at the University of Toledo, mainly buzzing my hair and using custom-fit rows of ferocious top and bottom teeth. At Blank Canvas, my head is completely shaved, creepy contact lenses cover my eyes, jagged teeth line my mouth, and lots of pale makeup covers my skin. Audience members, cast mates, and production staff have told me, “I’m not sure I would know this was you if I didn’t already know you were playing Bat Boy.” I love that! As an actor, my favorite roles are the ones that allow me to completely transform myself into someone very different...* *READ THE WHOLE INTERVIEW AT:* *http://inthelandofcleve.b <http://inthelandofcleve.b>**logspot.com/2015/10/fast-five-winging-it-with-local-actor.html <http://logspot.com/2015/10/fast-five-winging-it-with-local-actor.html>*