Today we’d like to introduce you to Dustin Fontaine
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dustin. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in the Garden State, one of five of the most incredible siblings in the world (that’s right- I’m calling out the Jackson’s). I’ve been performing my whole life; when I was a kid we used to do these little plays at church. It was fun to get up and say lines and have people love it. We were cute little kids! I got back into acting quite by accident in high school one afternoon after missing the bus. I asked a buddy of mine for a ride home, but he had to stop by Mr. Giblin’s theater class before leaving. They were in the middle of auditions so the both of us were roped in. We were both cast in God spell. I consider that my first production. The time I had with my classmates and mentor was what made me really fall in love with theater and performing. Now I’m a full time Blue Man in Boston by some other miraculous fluke, getting to live my dream.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think anyone in the honest pursuit of their passion has had an easy time of it, but for those with determination and perseverance these struggles are like logs for the flame. I spent my first year after college on a twin mattress in the basement of my buddies’ house because it was close enough to a bus stop to NYC. I’ve been fired from no less than three jobs for going to auditions and call-backs, the last one was when I got a call for Blue Man Group. I excitedly called out sick to audition, but without a doctor’s note I was given the can. Ironically, I woke up the next day and went to the Blue Man call back with a full-blown stomach virus. I had to excuse myself every hour!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Blue Man Group had always been difficult to classify and nearly impossible to describe. Are we a circus act? Are we clowns? Musicians? Is it a rock concert? Social satire? My answer most usually is “you just have to come see it.” It’s difficult to describe because it’s not like any other performance or play or musical out there. It stands alone in its weirdness and awesomeness. I perform as a Blue Man, an odd, non-verbal, blue-skinned (is that even skin?) humanoid who comes from who-knows-where to turn this world inside out. The Blue Man doesn’t speak, but he’s constantly communicating with the audience and with his fellow Blue Men. The interactions between the trio are honestly my favorite parts of the show. That and the killer music we get to play.
What were you like growing up?
When I was a small child I was a total pouter. My mom called it “schmulling”. I would schmul. I was a schmuller (am I spelling that right? Is it a real word!?) I was sensitive as a kid, which is tough when you’re one of five siblings who grew up in NJ, but I learned how to bust chops and not take things personally so by the time I reached high school I mellowed out and started enjoying myself more. When I was little I wanted to be a pilot, my grandpa flew planes in the USAF and I always thought that was awesome, but funnily enough from the time I was three years old people would hear my name and say, “That’s a great name! It sounds like a movie star!” Now that I mention it, it’s quite possible that the power of suggestion on a young impressionable mind is what led me down this unpredictable and crazy path. Potential existential crisis aside, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Pricing:
- Tickets start at $49 ·
- VIP Packages available
Contact Info:
- Address: 74 Warrenton Street
Boston, MA 02116 - Website: www.blueman.com
- Phone: 1-800-BLUEMAN
- Email: BostonMarketing@blueman.com
Image Credit:
Blue Man Group
Caroline Talbot Photography
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