Andrew Durand plays Elmer McCurdy in the Tony-nominated musical Dead Outlaw, portraying both a living bandit and a corpse. The show chronicles the unusual fate of McCurdy's mummified body, which became a sideshow attraction before being buried properly in the 1970s. Durand faces a unique challenge, performing six energetic songs followed by a demanding stillness as a corpse in a coffin. He uses creative strategies to manage his stillness on stage while engaging with the audience throughout the performance. His journey into theater began at a young age, igniting his passion for performing.
I sing six songs in a row. I rip the stage apart. I'm running all over that thing. And then suddenly I just have to stand dead still in a coffin with sweat dripping down my back. It's a challenge.
Well, I try my best to keep my eyes open. It's like a staring contest every night with 1,100 people out there. I set little goals.
When another actor makes an entrance, I can blink and swallow again, because I assume the audience is watching them.
I saw my first show, Pippin, at my local community theater in Roswell, Georgia, when I was 10 years old. Something about it was so intriguing.
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