As based on the hit book series by Lev Grossman, The Magicians is a popular series on Syfy currently in the midst of its first season. Best categorized within the fantasy genre, The Magicians tells the story of Quentin Coldwater, a young man who develops a passion for magic and goes to school to study it further. On the show, Hale Appleman portrays Eliot Waugh, a fellow student at Brakebills College that serves as an older ally to Quentin.
Hale Appleman, as it turns out, grew up in Manhattan and has proper downtown roots. Within our Q&A for Downtown, he discussed such, along with what’s ahead for him. Music turns out to be part of the plan, as one of Hale’s main passions. Hale –- who was seen as Zack in the NBC series Smash prior to his work on The Magicians -– made his film debut in Chad Lowe’s feature Beautiful Ohio. He has also worked in the theatrical world, appearing in the San Diego production of Jeff Buckley’s The Last Goodbye and the New York revival of David Rabe’s Streamers.
Hale Appleman — whose photos appear courtesy of Benjo Arwas — can be followed on Twitter via the handle @hale_appleman.
I know you attended the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, but where in New York did you grow up?
Hale Appleman: I was born in the Village. My mother, Ara Fitzgerald, is a modern dancer and performance artist. She moved to the city in the early 70’s and acquired a loft in the East Village/Nolita area when it was just artists and the homeless; long before it was a chic place to live. And my dad, Richard Appleman, is a writer and literature professor. He grew up in Stuy Town. So the East Village is home.
Was acting your main focus when you were attending LaGuardia?
H: Yes I was a diehard Drama major [at LaGuardia High School]. I loved my class and my teachers. I got to play such a wide range of roles and I worked really hard there. Brilliant talent in that school and such a dream for me to go there. I was lucky enough to perform in the musicals there my junior and senior years, which are really high caliber productions for high school. I used to sneak into the gospel concerts during breaks from rehearsal. The incredible power and connection that radiates from those kids when they sing is awe-inspiring. I’m looking at you, Amanda Brown! If you don’t know who Amanda Brown is look her up, she’s the real thing.
At what point did you know that you were going to be an actor for the rest of your life?
H: My parents always took me to the theater and read me incredible stories growing up. That probably planted the seed, and I got the acting bug when I was nine or ten and was quickly immersed. I did community theater, regional theater, performing arts summer camp — I was already hooked. But I think the intensity of my commitment at LaGuardia was a real turning point for me. It made working everyday a reality and I loved it.
Was there a particular role you were in cast in? A particular compliment that you were paid at some point?
H: My high school teacher, Mr. Shifman – who I still am in touch with and go to for advice – really inspired me and encouraged me in high school in a way that was necessary for me to hear. I’m so grateful to him.
You filmed the pilot for The Magicians in 2014, and finally the show premiered a few days ago. How did you spend the time between the filming and the show’s airing?
H: I spent some of my time trying not to think about the two very distinct realities that could emerge based on the verdict of that pickup! On the one hand, magical adventures and an incredible role and ensemble to work with. On the other, there’s always pilot season. And I’m fortunate to come from a theater background. There’s really no reason for me to be bored unless I choose to be. I also spent a lot of time writing music, which is another important part of my life. And of course, there’s both friends and family to fill my life with.
When preparing for The Magicians, did you do any magic-related prep work? Or shadow anyone for your research?
H: I keep Lev Grossman’s books handy all the time. He provides the greatest blueprint I could ask for. You don’t always get an inside look at a character from a novelistic standpoint. And Lev created Eliot. So the Magicians trilogy is a Bible of sorts. I also work with my hands and try to stretch them and keep them flexible for all the finger tutting we have to do. Our tut advisor/choreographer, Kevin Li, is amazing, and gives me a lot of wiggle room to form fit the hand movements to Eliot’s character. I love rehearsing spells with him, we have a great time.
How similar are you personally to Eliot Waugh? Do you worry about people mistaking you for your character?
H: I love Eliot’s innate ability to live his life on his own terms, to not accept other people’s definitions of who or what he is. I think I also can relate to feeling like an alien or an outsider, someone who sort of doesn’t really fit into the expected mold. I know what it’s like to be on the outside, looking in. Eliot decides to create a new “inside” from his “outsiderness.” I like his moxy.
And, no, I’m not concerned about being mistaken for him. We are fundamentally-different people. Eliot comes from a place of control and power, I come from place of feeling and intuition. Eliot often tries to ignore his feelings, so my work with him a lot of times is about covering up my natural openness with a bit of a mask; which ironically makes him more vulnerable in some ways. I always remind myself to firmly lock down Eliot’s relationship to Eliot’s emotions, because he’s really not on good terms with them. The clothes, hair, makeup, all help me feel as Eliot as possible, it’s a kind of armor. The character really emerges through those collaborations.
And at the end of the day, my job is to be Eliot, to interpret him and to take care of him. That’s a responsibility I take very seriously — for Lev, for my colleagues and for the fans of the books and the show. That’s my job, and I love my job. And for my friends and family and colleagues, they know who Hale is. And I’m fine with both things being true.
How does Eliot compare in the novel to the character we see on-screen?
H: The inspiration and complete blueprint is Lev’s character from the books. We’re a little older, so I think those extra years add perhaps even more darkness to Eliot’s backstory. I also have a sense he’s had a little more time to more fully develop the persona he’s projecting.
Was filming the pilot of The Magicians the first time you’d spent an extended amount of time in New Orleans?
H: Yes!
What do you feel does that New Orleans offers that New York doesn’t?
H: New Orleans is a crazy voodoo spirit — celebratory and decadent and vibrant and jazzy – but also heavy, sad, dark, mysterious…it overwhelms me with feeling. New York is all business and run-ins with people you know and squares and go go go go. There aren’t as many brass bands in New York City, to start.
I believe the show is otherwise filmed in Vancouver. On the same note, is there anything that you missed about New York while being away in Canada?
H: I missed the pace of life. The energy of the street and getting somewhere. The sounds. And doing so many things in one day. I miss those things the most when I miss New York City, but I also love Vancouver. It’s a stunning city and I’m looking forward to returning. The people there are the salt of the Earth.
The Magicians aside, are there any other upcoming projects of yours that you can talk about? A return to New York theater when The Magicians isn’t taping, perhaps?
H: I would absolutely love that. I’m always on the hunt for the next play in New York City. I really want to do a great one soon. It’s a different kind of workout as an actor and completely informs and deepens my work on screen. We’ll see what’s possible on this hiatus. I am gathering the necessary balls to release some music. Hopefully in the next few months. Up to this point, it’s really just been for me as a kind of meditation, but it’s time to share it.
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
H: I write. I empty my head through writing. I spend time with my friends. I have some of the truest friends and family. I’m very lucky that way.
Finally, Hale, any last words for the kids?
H: Yeah. In some ways Eliot is in a rough spot and making a lot of questionable choices. But he is a great role model in very specific way, that he is whoever he wants to be and that his journey of self-discovery is always evolving. I hope “the kids”are open to being themselves every day, whoever they are, and know that that self can change and does change. That you don’t have to ‘know’, because you always get to evolve.
That being said, and I’m going to sound like a grandpa, but I don’t care because I really mean this: Please don’t pick up cigarettes because you see us smoking on the show. First of all, they’re fake and the real ones suck and are really truly horrible for you. Really. Don Draper probably died of lung cancer, or cirrhosis. And Eliot’s having a hard time, and resorts to vices that are a way of not dealing with his feelings. So deal with your feelings, The Kids. Talk it out. And don’t smoke.
-by Darren Paltrowitz
