CRESTVIEW — Crestview High School 2014 alumnus Alec West has plenty of people on his mind lately.
Or rather, in his mind.
As one of four cast members in Northwest Florida State College's upcoming production of “Greater Tuna,” Alec plays five characters.
MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES
As if it’s not hard enough for an actor to wrap his mind around one character, Alec has spent the past several weeks getting into Harold Dean Lattimer; Stanley Bumiller; Stanley’s father, Hank; Vera Carp; and R.R. Snavely.
The show features 21 characters, all of whom are colorful individuals in the proudly redneck town of Tuna, Texas' third smallest town.
Among Alec’s diverse characters, juvenile delinquent Stanley Bumiller is probably his favorite.
“He’s a really interesting character because you get a little bit more of him every time he’s on,” Alec said.
But don’t discount Vera Carp, the busy-body town snoot and vice president of the Smut-Snatchers of the New Order.
“I’m really excited about doing Vera because of the type of character she is,” Alec said. “It’s a little challenging for Vera’s first scene when she comes in and Judge Buckner’s in the coffin.”
'A GIANT LEARNING EXPERIENCE'
Though Alec majors in engineering and intends to pursue it after graduating next year from NWFSC, the performing arts remain close to his heart.
“When I graduated high school, I told myself no matter what, if I had the opportunity to be something in theatre or music, then I would,” he said.
While at Crestview High, he starred as Richie Cunningham in “Happy Days: The Musical” his senior year and sang with the 120-member school chorus.
Alec said between his early school years in New Jersey and Crestview High’s drama program, he was well prepared to tackle a college-level production.
“I learned a lot about theatre in New Jersey, then I came here and I learned more,” Alec said. “I think of it as a giant learning experience. In college, there’s a lot more freedom to put yourself into it. In high school, you’re learning.”
“Greater Tuna” faculty director Clint Mahlie has let Alec feel his own way into his characters’ heads, he said.
“He lets you try your own ideas and if he likes it, he’ll keep it,” Alec said. “It’s like a giant artist studio. In high school, you’re learning how to use certain things, how do to certain things, then in college you can actually start using them.”
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Northwest Florida State College presents “Greater Tuna”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22-25
WHERE: Sprint Theater, Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Niceville
COST: $15, adult; $10, youth 18 and younger; and one free ticket for NWFSC students with ID from the box office only.
NOTES: Tickets from the Box Office, 729-6000 or at www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org
Email News Bulletin Arts Editor Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Meet Alec West…and Harold, Stanley, Vera, Hank and R.R.