Andrew Durand’s Journey from Roswell Village Playhouse to Broadway Stardom
Andrew Durand, a first-time Tony Award nominee this Broadway season for his role in Dead Outlaw, credits his beginnings at Roswell Village Playhouse in the 1990s for shaping his love for theater. Located in a modest shopping center on the corner of Highway 9 and Highway 92, the community theater welcomed aspiring actors of all ages, allowing them to perform in full seasons of plays. For Durand, it was a magical experience that sparked his passion for the arts.
“When I was 10, I saw adults and kids treating each other as equals on stage, having fun and telling stories,” reminisces Durand, who found a supportive community and valuable mentors at the playhouse. His dedication was evident as he would frequently ask his mother to take him to the theater, regardless of whether he was performing. “I spent time painting sets, helping with costumes, and even selling popcorn,” he shared.
One of his favorite memories is the theater’s annual production of A Christmas Carol, where he enjoyed the camaraderie of performing alongside family members, including his stepsister Paige Faure, a Broadway veteran currently starring in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends. “It was like spending Christmas with 70 family members,” he recalls.
Now, Durand is taking on his most challenging role to date as the titular character in Dead Outlaw. This production not only showcases his singing and stage presence but also requires him to remain still for extended periods in a coffin, as other actors perform around him. “It’s between 40 and 45 minutes of standing perfectly still, attempting not to blink,” he explains.
The show tells the peculiar true story of Elmer McCurdy, a turn-of-the-century outlaw whose corpse became a sideshow attraction after he was not claimed following his death in a train robbery in 1911. Durand notes that McCurdy wasn’t buried until the 1970s, found hanging in a fun house in California, extending his “after-life” in show business for decades.
Dead Outlaw has received several Tony nominations, including Best Musical, reflecting the talented creative team responsible for its success, who were also behind the acclaimed The Band’s Visit, which swept the 2018 Tonys. The excitement continues to build as the Tony Awards ceremony approaches on June 8, although Durand emphasizes that his career has never primarily focused on winning awards.
Reflecting on his early days, Durand fondly remembers the joy and collaboration he experienced at Roswell Village Playhouse and North Springs High School, which laid the groundwork for his future. “I was simply having fun with those people,” he stated.
When asked what his younger self would think of his current career milestones, Durand quipped, “I think 10-year-old me would think, ‘That’s pretty cool, but is it as cool as A Christmas Carol at Roswell Village Playhouse?’”
Durand’s story stands as a testament to the power of community support and passion for the arts, inspiring future generations of theater enthusiasts to pursue their dreams.