Spotlight on Performer Tyler Beeuwsaert

Tyler is currently rehearsing to play the Scarecrow in Spotlight's August production of The Wiz

How long have you been performing on stage?

I have been performing since I could walk!  It started as giving my family my own Backstreet Boys concerts in the living room, but turned into actual theatre productions in Kindergarten, when I was the ringmaster in "The Kindergarten Circus"!  It's been my life ever since.

Tyler outside the theater during his first production with Spotlight:
Footloose 2006

What was your first show with Yorba Linda Spotlight?

My first show with YL Spotlight was their first production of Footloose! When i was but a wee lad!  Funny to look back and see how much I have grown and developed as an actor, singer, and dancer.

What is your dream role?

OH MAN, I have SO many!!! But if I had to narrow it down to those I HAVENT done already, I'd say either:

1)  Tony in Westside Story

2)  Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys

3)  Danny or Doody in Grease

4)  Roger or Angel in RENT

5)  Cat in the Hat in Seussical the Musical

eh this list will go on FOREVER i'll stop there... hahaha

Tyler as Snoopy in Spotlight's 2010 production of
You're a Good Man Charlie Brown

Of the roles that you've played, what has been your favorite?

Either Lumiere, Snoopy, or Ren

Has Spotlight helped you grow as a performer? If so, how?

ABSOLUTELY!! The taught me that HARD WORK and constant practice is what makes you better and makes u stand out to them and shine and eventually get you those LEAD roles you've always wanted.  They also cast correctly.  I may complain a lot about not getting the role i WANTED, but by the end I always realize that they cast me as the role i NEEDED and what I am PERFECT for.  It makes you a lot less narrow minded about it all

Tyler as Lumiere in Spotlight's 2009 production of
Beauty and the Beast

What do you like to do when you're not performing?

I write music!! I have written about 70 drafts of songs and I will soon be recording them in a studio once I finalize a few of them.  I also write musicals and plays, and play LOTS of video games! :P

If you could choose a show for Spotlight to produce, what would it be and why?

WEST SIDE STORY!!  I am SO obsessed with it right now and I like it because it's not a comedy.  We do a LOT of comedies at Spotlight, so it'd be cool to do a drama musical, or a STRAIGHT play like 12 Angry Jurors.

ALSO!! I am started to get really into writing musicals and shows and stuff, so it'd be VERY cool if they could put on one of my own plays there someday!

Of Spotlight's past shows, which has been your favorite and why?

Tyler as Ren in Spotlight's 2011
production of Footloose

I do not think I will be able to answer that question...  Each has their own ups and downs.  For example, I LOVED Grease and Footloose for their high energy, GREAT songs, and atmosphere, and because they are 2 of my favorite musicals ever.  I LOVED Charlie Brown for how different it was.  I LOVED Beauty and the Beast and Seussical for how BIG and crazy everything was: the sets were HUGE, the costumes were big and intricate (I had wires going throughout my entire body to light the candles as Lumiere), and everything was just amazing about those shows!  I LOVED High School Musical for the fact it was High School Musical and we were performing one of America's most loved movies of that time.  That was one of my favorite audiences.  So each has different ups and downs.  I can't really decide.

Anything else you want to say?

Don't let any insecurity about yourself keep you from following your heart and your dreams.  I know that's super corny to say but it's true.  I almost quit theatre because of how small I always was, because I felt like no one would ever cast me as a lead because either I didn't look old enough or because I was so skinny and light, or because I just was really short! (i reached 5 feet tall at the end of 8th grade)  BUT,  with a little convincing from friends and family I stayed with it, practiced my butt off at everything I could to get myself to stand out, and a few years later, whadduya know?  I was REN in footloose!