Starring… Trevor Batchelder
Age: 21
Major: Chemical Engineering
Hometown: Toms River, NJ
In addition to having an immense love for chemistry and engineering, Trevor Batchelder is passionate about the performing arts. Trevor started acting and singing at a young age. He is the current president of Alpha Phi Omega and has served as Vice-President of the Stevens Dramatic Society. Trevor is also a part of the Stevens Choir and the President’s Ensemble.
In addition to being a chemical engineering major, you are an actor and singer. When did you first know you wanted to be involved in the performing arts?
My fifth grade teacher was also the director of the school play, and he had a lot of enthusiasm for it and encouraged me to do it. I got very excited about it, did the audition, and I had a lot of fun with it. I think that audition was a defining moment for me. It was my teacher’s enthusiasm that drew me in. Since then, I have been hooked! I knew that DeBaun Auditorium was a space I wanted to perform in.
What was your first role as an actor?
It was in the play called “Matchbox Twenty Across America,” which was a play written by my fifth grade teacher. I was cast as the Main Extra #2, which was the funny guy role. My name was Trevor in the show… just Trevor, but I was the comic-relief guy.
Why do you enjoy acting?
I’ve always worked hard in my academics, so I get very stressed out. It’s kind of nice with acting to totally take myself out of these situations for a little while and pretend to be someone totally different who is facing totally different problems. I have also made a lot of great friends through the performing arts over the years.
Do you come from a musical family?
No, not at all! My brother is into musical theater — he’s kind of followed in my footsteps, and he is also a talented violinist. Also, my dad played saxophone in high school. Other than that, there is really no rhyme or reason as to how I got into the performing arts!
Do you have any musical inspirations?
I am a big fan of Hugh Panero. He was in Phantom of the Opera. I look up to him as a singer. I think he is an extremely talented and versatile tenor.
What kind of music do you listen to?
It’s weird. I don’t really listen to a lot of music outside of musical theater — that’s a lot of what my phone has on it. I like a lot of alternative stuff. One of the groups I have been listening to recently is called Jukebox the Ghost. I would love to get Bethany Reeves to let me to sing one of their songs at a voice recital, but I know that’ll never happen!
I’m also currently listening to a lot of Hamilton. I listen to a lot of music from shows I’ve been in — “Pippin” is probably my favorite, but I can’t listen to it if I am trying to get work done. It has a way of calming me and being like, “Trevor it doesn’t matter! Why are you working so hard? None of it matters!” I think I listened to the entirety of that soundtrack after my last final this past semester!
Trevor’s Top 5 Concerts:
- River City Extension
- Steven Wilson
- Porcupine Tree
- King’s X
- Stevens Institute of Technology Winter 2015 choir concert
What have been some of your most memorable performances or pieces that you have performed?
My favorite role that I’ve ever played was Edna Turnblad in “Hairspray.” It was not only really fun to play her, but I had an interesting time exploring that character. Instead of making it just comical, I wanted to make her more real. I thought more about what a 50-year-old woman in the ’60s would actually be concerned about and how she would normally act.
Are there any plays that you have seen that have had a profound effect on you?
I really enjoyed the musical Fun Home. I saw it this past semester, and similar to the reasons I loved the role of Edna Turnblad so much, the musical taught one a lot about compassion and caring for and about people.
How do you keep music and the performing arts in your life while at a tech school?
I always try to make time for it. I’m very busy, but being able to lose a couple of hours of sleep a week for the sake of being able to practice my craft and stay involved in the performing arts at the school is very worth it.
Do you have any advice for incoming freshman who want to continue their musical pursuits at Stevens?
Just go for it. It’s so easy to get involved. The Stevens Dramatic Society is always looking for new people, as are the Stevens Orchestra, Choir, Concert Band, and Jazz Band. Talk to people and reach out. Put yourself out there. A lot of the time it is freshmen that have the most drive, know how to get things done, and put on really great performances.
If you are a star, please contact me at mhildebr@stevens.edu.
