"There is a Role for You. Be Patient with Yourself Until You Find It." Chatting with Preston Dildine!

Kindhearted is defined as having a kind, sympathetic nature, and I think anyone who has ever crossed paths with Preston or worked with him on stage knows that no words could be truer for a person. Preston is currently performing in Hello, Dolly! as Rudolph at The Myers Dinner Theatre (Directed by Sarah Philabaum). I first met Preston when I performed with him in The Little Mermaid where he played Scuttle. At Myers, Preston has also been seen in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mamma Mia (Bill Austin), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Reuben). He has been performing professionally since 2009 and has appeared on stages throughout Indiana and Pennsylvania. He attended Indiana State University for Theatre. Preston is truly an artist and performer that makes every cast better on and off the stage.

"Preston Dildine is our most tenured Alumni here at MDT. He is the bridge to almost every season we've had. It is hard not to think of Myers Dinner Theatre without thinking of Preston Dildine." Says Myers Dinner Theatre Artistic Director Jeremy Littlejohn!

I am truly honored to have the chance to feature him!

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?  

So, I’ve been “performing” since I was born if you ask any member of my family. They still joke that

“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” was my first word. My mom says I was singing before I could talk, and dancing before I could walk. (What do you expect after raising a kid on Disney?) But, if you mean when did I decide to do it for the rest of my life? I was 9 years old. I actually remember the exact moment I decided! My best friend in elementary school used to go to Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre all the time; they were VIP members.

Because of that, they always had an extra ticket to the show, and I was the friend that got to tag along. The first show we saw was “Singin In The Rain”, and it actually rained on stage! My little mind was blown! Haha. I remember commenting on how cool it was that the “people were actually singing and dancing right in front of us!” My friend's dad commented that it was their job. That they got paid for it. I decided right then and there that I was going to perform for a living. 

Are there any teachers or mentors in your life who truly helped you become the wonderful performer you are today? 

Oh heavens! Well, first off, thank you for that sweet compliment! You’re too kind! I have had wonderful relationships with most of my teachers throughout my life, but I’ll give a couple of special shoutouts; First off, my high school choir director, Teresa O’Connell. She was the one to tell me during my senior year that I needed to pursue performing in college when I was being told left and right to pursue a “stable career”. She told me not to listen, and that I was meant to perform. Then, at Indiana State, while there was no musical theatre program, the professors I had in the theatre department were incredible, and I learned SO much from them.

Special shoutout to Arthur Feinsod, who believed so much in my playwriting; Julie Dixon, who took me under her wing as my advisor and acting professor; Sherry McFadden, who always encouraged me and put me in charge of not one, but two extra-curricular groups on campus: Side Show, which I co-founded with my dear friend Jordy, and FUSION After School, a middle school theatre education program; and Chris Berchild, who we call Berch, who made time in his schedule my senior year for an independent study credit in theatre management. These amazing teachers not only taught me, but gave me real world opportunities, and I will never forget that.  

Congratulations on Hello Dolly! Sarah Philabaum and Jeremy Littlejohn are absolute joys! What are you most excited about with this show? 

I mean, working with Jeremy and Sarah! I adore working with those two humans! It’s always been such a positive experience, and Hello, Dolly! is just a happy show, so I’m anticipating a wonderful process! Hello, Dolly! was also my second professional contract during my first summer at Myers Dinner Theatre, over a decade ago! I played Ambrose Kemper. It’ll be a lot of fun to revisit the show as Rudy after all this time! It definitely feels like a “full circle” moment. (I’ve also always wanted to be in the Waiters Gallop, So Yay!)

Are there any roles, shows, or moments in your career that stick out and will always be near and dear to your heart? 

There are a few! One that will always be near and dear to me was Carl Magnus in “A Little Night Music” when I was in college. It was my first role in the main stage season my junior year, and I won the Theta Alpha Phi award for Best Supporting Actor. It was a heartwarming surprise to my anxiety-ridden brain to be recognized and believed in by my peers, especially during a time when I didn’t really believe in myself.

I was also very privileged to have played two “goal roles” (I call them “goal roles” because I only have one “dream role”: Seymour in “Little Shop”.) in my career so far: Amnesia in “Nunsense Amen”, and the title role in “Shrek the Musical”. I also, and this might be my proudest moment, had the opportunity to direct/choreograph “Sister Act” which has been my favorite movie since before I can remember.  I couldn’t have been prouder of my cast and crew who brought the house down every. single. show. All in all, I’ve been very blessed in my career thus far. 

What advice would you give any young aspiring artists who want a career in the performing arts? 

I know this gets said a lot, but don’t give up. The arts are so important. You will hear “get a real job”, “that’s not work”, “but what do you ACTUALLY do?”, etc over and over, but you have to tune it out. Know that you belong in this world. Own it.

There’s also a toxic idea that the only true “professional” career in theatre is Broadway which is just not true. While a career on the great white way is beautiful and something to work toward if you want it, there is also incredible opportunity in the regional and/or tour circuit; Or the theme park, circus, educational, or even modeling circuits. You will find your niche, and once you do, everything will fall into place. (With, you know, hard work and perseverance of course. It’s a tough business.) And finally, there is a role for you in this business. Never think there isn’t. The world is full of many many people/stories, and it’s our job to portray all of those people/stories. Not just as a performer; but as a writer, director, stage manager, etc. There’s a good chance that you are right for a good percentage of them. So, keep auditioning. Keep taking classes, working on your book, and working on yourself, and your opportunity will come. There is a role for you. Be patient with yourself until you find it. 

Hello Dolly will be opening on June 4th and will be running until the 27th. To learn more, please visit -https://myersdt.com/hello%2C-dolly