Theatre Meets Critic: An Enlightening Chat with Dennis Mashevsky
In this episode of Theatre Meets Critic, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dennis Mashevsky, a producer, actor, and writer from Palo Alto, California. Dennis is currently starring in and producing Completeness by Itamar Moses, showing at the Eastwood Performing Arts Center from September 20th to the 28th. Be sure to see it if you're in the area!
A Journey into Acting
Our conversation started with Dennis sharing how he found his way into acting. Growing up in California, Dennis was drawn to the arts from a young age, feeling that he was "born into being an artist." His first taste of acting came in the sixth grade during an elective course. He recalls a moment of effortless creativity while miming a skit about a clown fixing a TV—an experience that sparked his love for performing and set him on a lifelong path of acting through middle school, high school, and beyond.
California Roots
Having spent most of his life in the Bay Area, Dennis fondly refers to California as his home, despite having visited other exciting places. We also touched on the vibrant but often overlooked theatre scene in Los Angeles, a city traditionally seen as the heart of film, but with a thriving theatre culture.
Inspirations and Creative Authenticity
When asked about his inspirations, Dennis confessed that he doesn’t idolize any one person or thing. He is drawn to authenticity and the beauty found in smaller, more intimate settings like in a black box theatre, where he feels people can be "really beautiful in small, intimate spaces." He mentioned being inspired by performances that allow people to grow and develop. Interestingly, he finds inspiration in modern figures like Harry Styles, admiring the pop star for his authenticity and the space he carves out in today's culture for "psychedelic, slightly weirder pop stars."
The Power of Theatre and Personal Growth
We dove deep into the plays that have impacted Dennis, including Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, which he saw at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The play’s portrayal of family and culture moved him to tears, touching on a personal anxiety he has worked with throughout his career. For Dennis, the most powerful plays are those that force him to confront things he'd rather avoid, using the experience as a space for growth.
Completeness: A Nerdy Rom-Com with Heart
Currently, Dennis is starring in Completeness, a rom-com that tells the story of a computer scientist and a molecular biologist who fall in love while working together. The characters, Elliot and Molly, are intelligent yet awkward individuals who struggle
with autonomy and commitment, which makes their connection all the more charming. Their professional collaboration leads to an inconvenient, yet inevitable, romance as their work helps them confront their deepest fears.
Dennis spoke passionately about how he prepares for roles like Elliot, focusing on keeping an open mind. He immerses himself in the world of the character, drawing from personal experiences and reading about related subjects, in this case, computer science. Dennis also mentioned the importance of letting the text "talk to you" and allowing the character's anxieties and problems to become your own, building a character from the inside out.
Beyond Acting: Writing, Producing, and Music
In addition to acting, Dennis finds joy in producing and writing, calling producing a "logistical and creative outlet" that helps balance the nebulous nature of acting. He has written plays, screenplays, and plays guitar in his spare time, which he finds therapeutic and grounding. "All these things heal the wounds caused by each other," he remarked, highlighting the interconnectedness of his creative outlets.
Advice for Aspiring Actors
Dennis had a valuable piece of advice for newcomers to the industry: give yourself time. Looking back, he wished he had accepted earlier that the theatre was a good place for him to hang out and grow. He encouraged aspiring actors to join communities of incredible people and emphasized the importance of supporting your friends and local theatre.
Connect with Dennis!
If you're interested in following Dennis’s work, you can find him on Instagram at @dennis.mashevsky, or follow Completeness at @completenessplay for updates on the show. Be sure to check it out at the Eastwood Performing Arts Center from September 20th to 28th!
