Passion for performing leads Marcus Collick ’20 to London’s West End
By Ashley Pauls
K-State Alumni Association
In high school Marcus Collick ’20 traveled with a choir group to see the musical Memphis on Broadway.
To Collick, it was more than just a field trip. The lights, the music, the performances,
the costumes, and the set designs all blended together to create something truly magical
— telling the story of a Memphis DJ and an aspiring singer in the segregated South
in the 1950s.
Collick was transfixed.
“That was the first time I saw people who looked like me on a grand stage performing
in front of a big crowd of people. That is when I knew I wanted to perform.”
That initial spark of inspiration has now propelled Collick to a role as a performer
in Dracula in the legendary West End, London’s equivalent of Broadway in the U.S. The show reimagines
Bram Stoker’s classic vampire novel as a multimedia production starring Cynthia Erivo,
who is known for the role of Elphaba in the Wicked films and has twice been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Erivo plays 23 different roles within the production, which also features both pre-recorded
and live video. Collick serves as one of the camera operators amplifying the performance
onstage.
“The thing that excites me the most about being a performer is the reactions that
we get from audiences,” said Collick, who also has a passion for education and earned
a Master of Arts in Teaching from K-State. “I love hearing how the show inspires,
touches, and sometimes changes the lives of audience members. There is nothing like
live theatre, and I am grateful that it is my job.”
In our Q&A below, learn more about Collick’s creative journey so far and where it
might lead in the future.
At K-State: What led you to pursue a master's degree in teaching at K-State? What are some of
the life lessons you took away from your time here?
Collick: Aside from being a performer, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I had
a few teachers who inspired me and pushed me to be better. I wanted to be that person
for someone else. Plus, I knew having a career in teaching would provide financial
stability. K-State's teaching program was the one that aligned with what I wanted
and could offer me what I needed for the season of life that I was in when looking
to get a degree. I took away so many life lessons from my time in the program, but
the two that have stuck with me are one, I am not alone, but have people in my corner,
and two, that I can do anything that I put my mind to.
With a background in both teaching and performance, what are some of the ways these
two different professions have shaped you?
Both teaching and performance have taught me how to be organized. It is extremely
important in these professions, as they have a lot of moving parts. They also taught
me how to be flexible and adaptable. They continue to teach me how to be a team player
to get the goal accomplished. I think, though, the most important thing these professions
have taught me is to have fun. Life is tough sometimes, and the world around us is
not always kind, but if we have fun, spread joy and kindness, then we can make the
world a better place.
What are some of your favorite career highlights/performances over the years and what
are the moments/particular shows that mean the most to you?
There are a few moments that I think of that are highlights and mean the most to me.
The first would have to be graduating from K-State, top of my class; that proved to
me that if I put my mind to something, I can achieve it. Another would have to be,
being the lead in a short film. That moment was definitely a bucket list item. I made
my West End debut in a creative learning initiative where professionals in the arts
went to low-income schools in London and taught them how to write short plays. I was
chosen as one of seven actors to perform seven of those plays on a West End stage.
That was a full circle moment as it incorporated both the teaching aspect of my life
and the performing.
How did you connect to the opportunity to perform in the innovative West End show
Dracula? What was it like to be a part of a production blending technological elements with
live performance?
I had to audition to be in the show. They were looking for actors who could move,
as it is a bit of a "dance" with the cameras and a little choreography that is needed
to make the show run smoothly. When I got the call that I booked the job, I truly
did not believe it. It did not seem real until I walked into rehearsal and Cynthia
Erivo walked into the room. In that moment, it clicked that this was happening and
that I got to be a small part of this iconic show. It has been such a joy to be in
this production. Gaining a new skill in operating cameras has been so much fun. Every
day feels different, and I still feel like I am getting better with each show. The
team is so helpful and supportive that it makes the job enjoyable. Cynthia is an icon,
a joy to work with, and such a force in her craft that it makes our job easier. I
will forever hold this production in my heart and will thank my lucky stars for giving
me this opportunity.
What are some of your hopes and dreams for the future, and where do you see yourself
next?
I feel like I have done so much in crossing off things from my dreams and goals list,
but I will say that being on Broadway is still high on the list. I do want to produce
a musical at some point. I also want to create more opportunities for artists coming
behind me to be able to get the chance to perform. Down the line, I do see myself
back in the classroom, but I'm not sure what that looks like at the moment. Until
then, I will continue my career in the performing arts and strive to sharpen my skills
along the way.
