Interview // Iris Nussbaum // 4. September 2018 //FRÜHLINGSERWACHEN
FRÜHLINGSERWACHEN took place in Dschungel Wien Theaterhaus in June. Iris Nussbau who played one of the main characters Wendla shares with Neue Wiener her own insight into the play, the issues that it handles and tells us more about her experience with the theater scene.
Neues Wiener Theater
Iris, how did you start acting?
Iris Nussbaum
I grew into it step by step. I started when I was quite young, playing at school and at different youth theaters. After finishing school, I decided to turn my passion into my profession. I simply love turning into different characters and I love it when the character is on a journey that is interesting and special.
Neues Wiener Theater
Can you remember a play or a musical that you saw as a child that you really loved and which inspired you to become an actress?
Iris Nussbaum
I once saw the „Zauberflöte“, when I was around 10 years old. And I still remember one young woman playing so fiercely, that she really captured me, and I thought I want to be able to do the same. It is my wish to inspire people in the same way, in which I have been inspired so many times through different plays.
Neues Wiener Theater
Isn’t „Frühlingserwachen“ also partly a musical?
Iris Nussbaum
The Musical was brought out later. The original one is a drama from Frank Wedekind, published in 1891. The Musical came out around 20 years ago.
Neues Wiener Theater
Could you tell me more about your experience with the play?
Iris Nussbaum
I really love the play and my role as „Wendla“. I had the opportunity to put my own thoughts and impressions into the character, and develope her together with my director. Also the play handles so many timeless topics, which is something I really like about it.
Neues Wiener Theater
Do you think that the play addresses contemporary social issues?
Iris Nussbaum
Totally! It still surprises me how many different issues it addresses.
Starting from how the way you are brought up by influences your whole life, till how to find your own place in society. Issues that, today maybe even more than ever, are important to the younger generation.
Other issues that are brought up are the pressure that parents put their children under, stress in school, finding your sexuality and so on.
Neues Wiener Theater
Of all the roles you have played in the past, which is your favourite?
Iris Nussbaum
My favorite role is always the one I am playing right now, or the last one I played.
It’s always like that, because if I play a character I become it and I am not only identifying with the role but with the whole life the person is living .So right now I really love Wendla from „Frühlingserwachen“. She is gentle, sensitive and goodhearted, but at the same time a brave, tough and very strong-minded girl.
Neues Wiener Theater
Would you like to act in Vienna in future?
Iris Nussbaum
Yes, I would really love to act here. It’s an amazing city to live in, with lots of cultural possibilities and a wide range of ways to work as an actress.
I also really liked working in Berlin but I consider Vienna as my basis.
Neues Wiener Theater
What was your last project in Berlin?
Iris Nussbaum
It was a modern play, rather addressed to younger people, under the age of 25, I would say. The name of the play was “Unter Menschen”, it was a socially critical play, addressing racism, mobbing, refuge and fear. It was a great experience for me to be part of it!
Neues Wiener Theater
That’s great! Thank you and good luck!
Iris is a young actress from Vienna, she graduated the drama school Krauss with stage and state diploma. Already in her early years she gained experience from some leading roles in theater, music video and short film, for example in the Kosmos Theater – Junger Salon, in the Berlin film production „Es gibt Zoos in Brandenburg“ or in the role of the Chansonette Clara in the Swiss production „Ein Lied erklingt“ about life of the librettist Fritz Löhner-Beda. Most recently, she toured with the youth theater piece „Unter Menschen“ in Northern Germany with the Berlin Scheselong Theater.
CAST: Renate Burtscher, Stefan Fleischhacker, Nikolaus Van Rahden, Nikolaus Pfleger, Iris Nussbaum, Viktoria Hillisch, Heide Maria Hager, Laurin Franek, Lasse Fischer, Max Wenning, May Garzon, Julia Rochlitzer, Ben Häfner, David BaczykRegieassistenz: Carla Gabriel
Buch & Regie: Florian Wischenbart
Produktion: Jasmin Bilek
Photo Production: Florian Wischenbart
Photos Iris : Ira & John https://salon.io/irajohn