Aaron Rothermund, the only gay cast member of Soup Can Theatre’s Fringe Festival reproduction of the Greek tragedy Antigone, speaks his mind about being a prolific gay theatre artist in Toronto.

Brian Bantugan: What makes Soup Can Theatre's version of Antigone worth seeing?

Aaron Rothermund: I personally think that this is a very useful story that is speaking to our times – the G20, the Occupy movement and other things plaguing our media. We’ve updated it – we’re using the text and we’re speaking about it very naturally. It’s coming off the pages in a beautiful way with the images that we’re creating with our bodies – we’re infusing dance compositions, physical theatre, improvisation, clowns . . .  making stories visually. We’re not just speaking words.

What makes this production different from the ones you’ve done before?

I really enjoy dancing. I really enjoy moving and being physical and active. The show will give you all those things.

What makes your role exciting?

As a gay person I usually walk into an audition or am in a show and I’m looked at as weak. Here, I’m the only gay person that I know of, but I’m the one doing all the muscular work. I’m lifting women. For me it is empowering. Usually I don’t get that opportunity.

What are the perks of being a full-time performer?

What are your struggles?

I really haven’t had a break since February. As soon as I finish one, I go right into the next. Or I’m rehearsing two shows at once. It’s a difficult process because I don’t make tons of money. I don’t have benefits. I have a boyfriend and we never see each other.

Is it an advantage to reveal your sexual orientation during auditions?

Normally, when I go to an audition I wouldn’t talk about my sexuality because it isn’t really about me. It’s about the story that the director wants us to create. I can play gay. I can play straight. So I don’t find it useful to say it, especially since when you say it people judge you. I try to be as malleable and flexible as possible.

Are there a lot of opportunities to play gay parts in plays here in Toronto?

There aren’t a lot of gay parts out there for me. Sometimes they’re looking for a very strong muscular gay man. Can’t I just be a gay man? Why do I have to be of a certain physical quality? But I think it is changing. For me, I create that work. It’s important to tell these stories [of gay men.] Usually, if I don’t see the stories out there, I will create them.

How do you approach gay roles?

I have to think about what makes gay characters different and not just play a caricature of a gay man.
 
Antigone runs Wed, July 4-Sun, July 15 at the Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst St. $10. fringetoronto.com