Music, Theatre & Dance senior Joey Richter knew from the start that he wanted to attend college somewhere outside of his home state of California. Ultimately it came down to New York University and the University of Michigan.
He said he applied to the University of Michigan on a whim, and from the moment he visited the campus, he immediately fell in love. He found the people on campus welcoming.
“It was the perfect match,” Richter said. “It’s absolutely the best decision I’ve made so far in my life.”
Over the past four years, Richter has been in 16 productions — with one in film and three others on the web. His résumé includes roles as Ron in “A Very Potter Musical” and “A Very Potter Sequel,” himself in “Me and My Dick” and the title role in “Mr. Marmalade.” He is also currently working on a production of “Glengarry Glen Ross,” which is scheduled to premiere in mid-April.
Through his experience in his classes and the productions he’s been part of, Richter has developed his talents and learned how to step back and critique himself for further improvement. He said it’s the “little things” that he was able to build up and tone throughout his four years at the University.
One of those “little things” is making acting his second nature.
“For example, being able to really connect what I’m saying emotionally and physically, have it make sense and not have it feel fabricated,” Richter said.
The most memorable productions he has been a part of — “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” and “A Very Potter Musical” — took place during his sophomore year. He said the first one had a highly emotional impact on his acting career while the latter had a tangible effect on his acting career. “A Very Potter Musical,” he said, transformed him and his fellow cast members into known celebrities.
During his first-ever Basement Arts production, he said he realized what it felt like to be part of something every single actor was passionate about and described how his cast members took initiatives to perfect how the production would appear.
“It emotionally affected the audience and us,” he said. “We were very proud of ourselves.”
After graduation, Richter plans on moving back home to start a career and taking advantage of the connections he made during his time at the University.
“I’m very optimistic and excited,” he said. “A few people in my class may be considering moving out there too, so it’s always nice to have that Michigan connection wherever you go.”