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If you’ve seen Seth Biberstein ’10 lately, you might have noticed that the amiable senior has been sporting what he terms a “ridiculous moustache.”
Biberstein’s facial hair, grown and groomed for his upcoming role as Colonel Mustard in “Clue,” may elicit laughs from the few Vassar students not yet desensitized to creative whiskers. But while his involvement in the performing arts began with comedy, Biberstein is not an actor to be taken lightly.
“I joined an improvisational comedy group when I was a freshman in high school,” said Biberstein. “I had never set foot on a stage until I started doing improv.”
Two years later, after familiarizing himself with the scary concept of performing in front of an audience, Biberstein acted in his first play: a musical called “Little Shop of Horrors.”
“Comedy has been the transitional force in my development as an actor, and the comedic themes of musical theater made it a natural next step,” Biberstein said. He performed in several more plays in his hometown of San Diego, Ca. and arrived at Vassar as a potential drama major.
“Improv used to sort of define me,” said Biberstein. “At Vassar, I’ve been able to define myself much more as an actor. I’ve discovered that I’m passionate about both music and theater.”
Though Biberstein played piano and cello in his youth, he gave up both by his sophomore year of high school. He developed his voice, a baritone, through musical theater and now sings opera and classical music.
“For me, the line between drama and music is very thin. There is a degree of acting in music, no matter what you play,” said Biberstein.
Biberstein performed in the opera workshops sponsored by the Music Department in his freshman and junior years, and plans to participate again this year. He is currently putting together his senior recital, a classical vocal program that will highlight “Winterreise,” a cycle of 24 songs by the German composer Franz Schubert based on the poems by Wilhelm Müller. He is performing seven of the 24 pieces due to time constraints.
In addition to his recital, Biberstein is also tackling part of his senior project in the Drama Department, Biberstein will direct the first quarto version of “Hamlet” with Nate Silver ’10, Jamie Watkins ’10 and Baize Buzan ’10. Throughout his time at Vassar, Biberstein has appeared in four previous Drama Department plays: “Cloud Nine,” “Merrily We Roll Along” (in which he played the lead), “First Lady Suite” and “Haarlem Berlin.” Biberstein’s theatrical pursuits are not limited to departmental work. Just last year he was accepted into Shakespeare Troupe and performed in “Richard III.” Biberstein was cast as Colonel Mustard in a theatrical adaptation of the cinematic interpretation of the board game Clue, which will run from Nov. 5 to Nov. 7 and will be staged in several different rooms in Main Building.
“Colonel Mustard is the piece I always pick when playing the game,” said Biberstein. “Obviously, I have a very strong connection to the character.”
Despite his extensive work with theater, Biberstein has not forgotten his comedic roots.
“This is my fourth year in Vassar Improv and The Limit,” said Biberstein, refering to popular comedy ensembles at Vassar. “I frequently pull sketch ideas for The Limit from Improv practices because Improv generates so many great scenarios that audiences never see.”
The spontaneity of theater, which takes its rawest form in improvisational comedy, is what will continue to draw Biberstein to the stage as both an actor and a musician.
“I’d like to act orperform in any capacity, whether it’s improv, opera, musicals or theater,” he said.
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