Pop-Culturalist.com

Erich Schuett knew he found his calling in life when he first stepped onto the stage. It was a moment he’ll remember forever and one that set him on the path that he’s on today. Since then, he’s gone all-in on his craft, working tirelessly each day to grow and further develop himself. That hard work has led him to perform around the world and star in his debut feature film. Pop Culturalist caught up with the rising talent to learn more about him and his thriving career.

PC: You’re a multifaceted artist. How did you discover your passion for the arts? Is there one discipline that you gravitate towards more?
Erich: In kindergarten, my teacher said I was full of energy and loved to entertain the class. I had tried every sport possible, but I just didn’t click with anything. She suggested that I look into a local theater company called StarStruck, based in Stuart, Florida. It was close to where we lived at the time. I started with a class in hip-hop and a group musical theater class, and it was love at first song. I knew the first time I stepped on stage that I was home, and everyone could tell that I loved what I was doing. I continued to add classes every semester and was at a point where I was attending StarStruck four days a week plus weekends for show rehearsals. I stayed with StarStruck until we moved to NYC to help with my career. To this day, I am still a part of their family.

With respect to which discipline I gravitated towards, I started off as a very successful boy soprano, but my voice started to change at about thirteen years old. During the vocal transition, I also started to dive deeper into acting. I found a private coach and worked every week to practice and expand my skills. It was at this point that I realized I had found a new passion well beyond using my voice.

This was in spite of the fact that I had been studying classical music and opera from since about the age of nine, and I had successfully auditioned for and then was accepted at Juilliard. Even today, I continue to attend as a vocal student, but my real passion is now acting. However, I continue to try to learn as many new things as possible to become as diversified as possible. In the end, I can say that while I love all things having to do with entertainment, I have discovered that acting is my true passion.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Erich: I was always inspired by the work of Jim Carrey and Robin Williams. I felt that they brought such realness and authenticity to every role they played. I could honestly never get enough of either of them, and to be honest, I also see a little of myself in each of them. I stay inspired by training and keeping positive role models around me. I always do my best, and I always keep in the back of my mind that I can only worry about what I am doing, so I keep the focus on my work and journey and not on things going on around me that I cannot control. The most popular hashtag that I use a lot is #ALLIN.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Erich: While it was quite cool to get to perform on stage at Carnegie Hall, I would say that singing on stage at the Sydney Opera House, Australia, must be one of the most incredible moments in my life. It is perhaps the most iconic and recognized performing arts center in the world, and I’d always dreamed of performing on stage, specifically in that particular landmark building.

PC: How has acting made you a stronger musician and vice versa?
Erich: As I continue to study, audition, and put into practice my acting skills, I have realized that learning to connect with people and play off their emotions, responses, and actions also holds true when I’m singing. The big difference is that while I’m singing I often have to close my eyes and imagine how people are feeling or create a place in my mind where I can see the people who might be involved in a song reacting to each other and my song.

Similarly, your voice can show others so much about who you are. It can tell a story of where you are from, how you’re feeling, and your personality. When you train as an actor and singer, you need to learn the different ways to manipulate your voice and become very versatile. You must learn to communicate many different emotions and have clarity, strength, and resonance. Learning how to sing, you learn how to use your voice in a healthy way and tell a story through song. Many of the disciplines cross over between both acting and singing.

PC: You’ve toured and performed around the US and Europe. What impact have those experiences had on your career?
Erich: For starters, I had no idea until I traveled and visited other countries the huge differences in culture and history between different countries. Europe has been around a whole lot longer than the US, with much older customs—and buildings! People not only talk differently but they act differently given the same situation. I learned that you really need to know your audience and understand that not everyone will react to what you say and do in the same manner.

PC: You’re constantly looking for ways to improve your craft. Who or what has instilled that work ethic in you?
Erich: My parents, to be honest. They have always encouraged me to keep going, and as long as I give it my all and try my hardest, I cannot fail no matter what the outcome. My dad says you always must keep learning; otherwise, you can get bored and just “settle.” And last but not least, I don’t want to let them down and perhaps more importantly, let myself down.

PC: You recently filmed your debut feature. What was the biggest takeaway from that experience that you’ve been able to apply to your career moving forward?
Erich: Being cast as the lead in a movie and working with several super-talented and experienced professional actors gave me exposure to what it is truly like spending time on a real movie set. I learned that when you are around people that have skills that you might not yet have learned, it is actually much easier and you naturally up your game. I guess the biggest takeaway is that I now will value a lot more when I’ve been cast with other strong and preferably even stronger actors, as I know I’ll walk away an even better actor than when I started. I also was fortunate to have several of the cast share their own lessons learned over the years so that I hopefully don’t make some of the same mistakes they’ve made.

PC: You have a couple of upcoming projects coming out. Is there anything you can tease/tell us about those?
Erich: I have two movies coming out soon, just finished a new digital ad to run across social media platforms, and working on new original music.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Erich: 9-1-1-

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Erich: The Matrix

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Erick: Groundhog Day

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Erich: Steven Page, Andy Grammar, and Tosca.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Erich: Andy Karl

To keep up with Erich, follow him on Twitter and Instagram.