The Lee Strasberg University graduate took part in the musical “Embezzlers”

- Artem, the audience knows you as a film and TV actor. How did it happen that you found yourself doing musicals?

- My way to the musical theatre was hard, just like any other way to a big dream. I graduated from the Shchukin University in 2008 and my diploma clearly stated – theatre and film actor. But my aspiration for the musical theatre was so strong that I decided not to stop at that. First, I entered Broadway Summer School for musical actors that was organized in Moscow by the US Embassy. I was inspired by the classes and realized I wanted to do that professionally. I received a grant in 2010 and went to the Lee Strasberg University on Broadway to discover this new genre. That’s where I was lucky to take part in a real american show – Kurt Weill’s musical called “The Threepenny Opera”. When I came back to Russia I spent my first day back auditioning for the new musical “Embezzlers”. And very soon I was invited by Musical Theatre to play one of the main parts in that show. I couldn’t have asked for more!

- Tell us about your character in “Embezzlers”.

- Vanechka Klukvin – that is the name of my character – is a dream come true for any actor. He contains the mix of comedy, humor and real human drama. Vanechka is an ordinary cashier in a big state institution. In an instant his life turns into a sequence of bright colorful events. In three day’s time my character comes a hard way from love and carelessness to execution, he turns from a boy into a man. This is an extremely interesing job for me because “Embezzlers” combines musical and dramatic aspects.

- Do you relate to this character?

- I understand him. Just like me, Vanechka came to Moscow from province. That’s why I perfectly understand how hard it is not to see your loved ones for a long time, how much you miss them, especially in the hard times. I understand his innocence and ability to enjoy the simplest things: the first warm Spring days, for example. All of these matches helped me when I was working on this character.

- What is closer to you now – musicals or films?

- I definitely want to do musical theatre now. This is where I am striving to be a professional. But I am not going to neglect movies. Because these are completely different types of acting. I like movies and theatre in different ways and I know I can express myself more if I combine working in films with acting in musicals. That is why I hope the directors and producers that come to see “Embezzlers” will notice the young actors our show is full of and will invite us to their new projects.