Brendan Tetter

I first noticed Brendan Tetter as an ensemble member in ACT’s My Favorite Year where he played many varied characters. Brendan inhabited each of them totally and enthusiastically, like a singing, dancing, and acting chameleon. His incredible range and sensational stage presence drew me in. He is one of those performers whose joy of being on stage is evident and that joy is infectious. Brendan’s stage skills are off the charts. Take a few moments to read about the journey of DFW star on the rise, the remarkable Brendan Tetter.

When was your first time on stage?

My first ever show was back in 2014, when I was in 8 th grade. I performed in a production of High School Musical Jr. in the ensemble as a basketball player and skater kid. Looking back, I considered my appearance at the time as my “Corbin Bleu Era”, where I had super long hair that looked just like his character, Chad. In fact, many of my friends thought that would be the role I would get, given my similar appearance; however, as someone who has never sang, acted, or danced in their life up to that point, that did not quite pan out how they envisioned. Every time I think back to that initial audition, I cringe a little on the inside. We were told to cold read from the script and sing happy birthday in front of everybody else who was auditioning; let’s just say I spent more time nervously forgetting the notes to that easy song and laughing my way off the stage when I was done. Somehow, they still took a chance on me, and had they not, I have no idea where my life would have taken me. Being in the ensemble, I was more than happy with my level of involvement in the show since I never performed before, and that in itself was a lot of pressure. I remember that intense nervous feeling in my stomach and trying not to mess up when dribbling the basketball during “Get Your Head in the Game.” Over the years, with more shows under my belt, the nervous energy has felt more like excitement and now gets channeled into the energy I try to bring to each of my performances.

When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

Growing up, my mom always said I was very animated and had a lot of energy, and she thought that someday I could have a lot of fun as a performer since she herself did a little bit of theatre in high school. At different points of my early childhood, she placed me in gymnastics and dance classes, but as a kid, I was not the most behaved, I had a lot of stage fright, and I did not fully understand the value of learning those skills at that time, so I didn’t end up continuing down any of those paths at that early age. To my memory, my very first exposure to theatre was back around 2010 when I saw a production of The 25 th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at North Hennepin Community College (Minnesota) and I remember absolutely loving the show, and thinking to myself I might want to try that someday. It took me a few years and some friends to help me muster up the courage to finally give it try back in 2014. Although I had a fun experience in High School Musical Jr., going into 9 th grade in actual high school, I remained in my shell from continuing theatre throughout that year. Part of it may be from me focusing on my classes, or wasting too much time trying to fit in or “be cool,” but most of what kept me away from continuing theatre was that I had little experience and not a lot of confidence in my abilities, especially when it came to singing and dancing. Not to mention, I was intimidated at the idea of having to measure up to the upper classmen and people with loads more experience than me. Finally, in 10 th grade, my friends talked me into giving it a try again, and I managed to land a role in a production of Twelfth Night as Sir Toby Belch. Being a part of that show, I really began to understand and appreciate the whole rehearsal process leading up to a performance, and that magic the audience does not get to see quickly became one of my favorite aspects of theatre. However, there was one moment in particular that turned my fascination with theatre into a passion. Later in my 10 th grade year, I somehow landed an ensemble part in the spring production of Mary Poppins even though I had little confidence in my singing during the audition process. During this show, I ended up getting assigned to play as Northbrook in the “Precision and Order” number. In this number, that character has a solo that is less than 20 seconds long, but as someone who was insecure about their singing, this terrified me. I remember the first time I had to do it during a rehearsal; I was so nervous, I felt sick to my stomach; the only lights were on the stage, and the house was dark, but most of the cast was sitting out there watching. The worst scenarios were running through my head, that I was not a good singer, and everyone was going to see and think that about me, whether or not they’d say it to me directly. Initially coming from a background in sports, if the team saw you as the weak link, you were not treated very kindly by the players or the coaches; at least, that’s the kind of environment I experienced. For a short solo, it felt like I was up there for minutes, and when I could finally make myself scarce backstage, not wanting to face anyone for what they may have saw or thought, the first person who found me was the actress who was playing as Mary Poppins. This actress. I’ve seen her lead in several musicals, and she was one of the best singers I’ve ever known at that time. All she said to me was, “great job out there! I think you have a really nice voice.” To her, that might have just been a simple passing compliment to make to anybody, but to me, it was life changing. It was the first time someone affirmed something I didn’t believe in myself, and it sparked this love I have for performing and continuing to improve. Up to that point, I struggled to fit in somewhere and feel like I was valued or good at anything, so to have someone who I looked up to tell me those simple words, it meant the world to me. I felt like I conquered a fear and found life through stepping out of my comfort zone, and that is how I want to continue my journey. The way I started seeing acting, or performance in general since that moment, was that it’s a challenge to be the best you and make noticeable improvements in your work through experience and dedication to the art. It’s also a great way to learn from your peers but not compare yourself to them. I like to look back to where I started and see the progress I’ve made, and I would encourage anyone to reflect on their internal journey as well. As I continue down this path of acting, wherever it takes me, I also try to keep in mind how powerful one interaction can have on a person. A single kind word can help someone see a potential in themselves they didn’t know or believe existed. While I’m not seeking to confirm it, I strive to be a pillar of support to lift others that are new or are uncertain of their abilities, and I hope that I’ve been able to create an environment where others feel encouraged, just as I was when I needed it most. My mom was right all along that I would find a place here.

Who is your greatest mentor?

It’s difficult to pinpoint a single person in my development as an actor or person. There are several people I’ve met in the past couple of years who have had pivotal roles in my development and aspirations to continue improving. I think of my good friends, Lorenzo Gapud and Jacob Waters, who have generally a similar voice register to mine, but spent years working on their singing voices and can pull off a level of singing I aspire to reach some day. They’ve inspired me to believe that with the right amount of discipline in focus on a skill like that, I too could become a greater singer, which the version of me a few years ago would have never thought. I also think of a couple of directors I’ve worked with such as Byron Holder and Chris Berthelot, who both challenged me in ways that transformed how I approach character development. I was given the tools to dig deeper into the emotional truths of my characters to fully embody them not just during rehearsals, but in every single performance. Their emphasis on grounding these characters as real people helped layer in choices, movements, and speech patterns that felt natural for both me as the actor and the audience watching. I would be here all day if I tried to list all the people I have learned from. This is what I love most about theatre and the performing arts in general – the inherent collaborative environment. Every production you’re a part of, regardless of size of your role, is an opportunity to bond with and learn from so many talented individuals – directors, castmates, crew members, and even the audience – that you can carry with you to the next production and share with the next group. There is always growth to be had not just as a performer, but as people. Each person brings a unique perspective and approach to shaping a story. Since my acting journey began in 2014, I learned that the most valuable thing anyone can bring to the stage is themselves. Regardless of one’s shape, size, color, age, gender, etc. we all have something special to offer to the stage that no one else can. Much like those who have inspired me to continue improving, I hope to inspire others to step into the world of performance, knowing they have a place in the art because what they bring to the stage is something I never could: their authentic self.

What role have you enjoyed the most in your career so far?

I believe I’m best known as an actor through the energy, facial expressions, and physical comedy I’ve brought to fast-paced shows. Since moving to Texas in 2022, my favorite role I’ve had that encompasses those strengths has to be either as Justin Hicks in The Fox on the Fairway (Rover Dramawerks, August 2023) or most recently, my work in the ensemble in My Favorite Year (Allen Contemporary Theatre, December 2024). However, I’m most proud of the shows that challenge me as an actor with pacing or roles that I’m less used to. In 2024 alone, I had the honor of portraying Cosmé McMoon in a production of Glorious at Runway Theatre (directed by Byron Holder), and I was also challenged with the leading role of Nathan Melbourne in the locally written show, New and Improving (directed by Chris Berthelot), which performed at the revitalized FIT festival. For both roles, I was challenged to play the more grounded character compared to the rest, and I had to bring a lot more emotion and depth to these characters than I’m generally used to doing as an actor. I look back at Glorious the most as the first show where I was challenged to close the show with a monologue that had different beats of admiration, wittiness, and raw emotion in reflection of the events that took place during the whole show. To have that portrayal resonate strongly with the friends and audience members who attended made this role one of the most rewarding. I’m proud to share that I won a Dooley Award (Runway Theatre’s version of the Oscars) for best debut performer, as voted by patrons, for my portrayal of Cosmé.

Do you have a dream role?

Generally, the milestone I’m still trying to reach in my career is landing a leading role in a musical. Though I have greatly improved in my singing over the years with limited vocal training, it’s still been a challenge to find a leading role in a musical that I best fit at my current age and ability. Many of the shows out there feature tenors, and I’m more in the bass-baritone range. Those notes that are way up there above the staff is an area I want to continue improving in. I firmly believe that with the right amount of practice and training, which I’m starting to invest more in, I too can become the singer aspire to be and what many of my talented friends have inspired me to become. All that said, for musicals, I would someday love the chance to play as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Bobby in Company, Phil in White Christmas, Horton in Seussical, and Donkey in Shrek the Musical. In terms of straight plays, a dream show for a lot of comedically driven actors is Noises Off, and that is a production I long to do someday, with Garry as the dream role. Back in high school, I did a production of Gruesome Playground Injuries that also challenged my range as an actor. This show features one male- and female-identifying characters that is split across 8 distinct scenes and reflecting different times of their lives. My high school split these 2 characters across 4 actors each with 2 scenes, and the audience had to suspend their disbelief that we were all playing the same people. I would love the chance to do this show again with the challenge of portraying this character in all scenes, because there is a great range of acting required as the story jumps around in time. I’m always open for greater challenges, and I’m sure there are tons of shows out there I’m currently not aware of that will some day catch my attention.

What person(s) would you like to be on stage with?

Honestly, I don’t really know or keep up with any “big names” in the theatre or film industry. There are so many talented friends and peers that I’ve worked with or seen perform locally that I would love the opportunity to share the stage with again. Part of the fun in theatre for me is building chemistry with people I’m familiar with across multiple shows, especially if our characters get to interact more deeply. In the past, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working alongside plenty of friends, but sometimes our characters hardly or never interacted; so, it would be exciting to be a part of a production where we can explore those connections further and build on the foundation we already have. I could be here all day listing the people I’d be thrilled to work with again or for the first time, though if I were to list a handful of people right now, I would say Robert San Juan, Sara Parisa, Lorenzo Gapud, Grant Palmore, Ian Grygotis, Skylar Navratil, Blake Rice, Hannah Burns, Jared Duncan, Evelynn Wright, Blair Mitchell, Laura Alley, Jacob Waters, Laura Jennings, and Eddy Herring. All have had a lasting impact on me not just as performers, but as great people to get to know and work with. On the flipside, I’m always excited by the prospect of working with new people and exploring new theatre companies and venues. Diving headfirst into new territory with people I’ve never met before is its own kind of adventure, and it’s thrilling to see what newfound dynamics and connections can be made when doing so. All in all, whether it’s creating brand new connections or building on the existing ones, every opportunity on stage is a chance to learn from one another and grow as performers.

What performances have you seen that impressed you?

In my time since moving to Texas, I’ve seen several productions across the Metroplex, and there are many performances that have stuck with me long since I’ve seen them. If I were to list off a handful of standout performances, I would like to shout out Blake Rice as Bob Wallace in White Christmas (Sherman Community Players), Hannah Burns as Brooke Ashton in Noises Off (Sherman Community Players), the entire cast of Flanagan’s Wake at Allen Contemporary Theatre, Tucker Souther as Roger Davis in Rent (Lakeside Community Theatre), Sinan Beskok as Jeff in Lobby Hero (Rover Dramawerks) and Shawn Patrello in several productions. There are several more I could list, but this collection of people I mentioned represents an incredible range of talent and dedication, from the high level of acting, comedic timing, musical prowess, creativity, and individuality each performer brought to their characters. Their talents left a lasting impression on me and inspired me to keep growing and pushing my own craft. There can be a takeaway or something to learn from most shows you choose to see, and that’s another aspect I love about live theatre.

What are your career goals?

I’m content with the amount I have been able to do up to this point, but for several years, I’ve had this desire to get some more experience on-camera, whether it’s acting in film projects or even being a model for certain styles of clothing such as business casual or fitness. Going into 2025, I want to invest more time and effort into making that happen. I don’t exactly know where this would take me, but I’m all about gaining new experiences and meeting new people; so, if anything, it sounds like it would be a lot of fun to at least try! When it comes to theatre, it’s always a fun new experience each show I get to do since I get to work with different casts – where I could consider taking it up a notch is branching out more in terms of venue. It would be amazing to someday be in a show that is touring the country!

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Those who personally know me already know this, but as I’ve implied in my answers to previous questions, I’m not originally from Texas. I was born and raised in Minnesota, and my very first time in Texas was back in the summer of 2021. During that time, we were all in the midst of the pandemic, and I was desperately trying to find an internship opportunity before starting my final semester of college since I could not graduate without one. I was also not in the best place mentally at that time due to circumstances and certain people I was around, so in my efforts to find an internship, I was applying all across the country and did not care where I landed, as long as it wasn’t where I was. I knew deep down I just had to leave and figure things out on my own. Trying to get an internship or an entry level job, I believe, is one of the most difficult things for a college student to go through. After applying for over 60 internships; after constantly getting ignored and or rejected, the only one I landed happened to be in Texas of all places; and of all the jobs I applied for, this was the one I would have wanted most. After spending that summer in Texas, I knew I wanted to come back. I graduated a semester early in December 2021 with a degree in finance, and I decided to kickstart my career in banking with the same company I interned with. So, in 2022, I scoped out a place to live, signed a lease, managed to land the job after all of that, and then moved here by myself. When moving to a new place alone, I did not know what to expect in terms of who I would meet, where my career would take me, or when I would be seeing my family again. I remember my dad asking me if I was certain about the decision to move, and I told him even though I was scared of all the unknowns, I felt that if I did not take this opportunity to at least try, I was going to regret it. Having lived here a couple of years now, I would have absolutely regretted not taking that chance. I revitalized my love for theatre after being away due to the pandemic and my ongoing personal issues; I’ve met so many friends across various walks of life who have taken me in as family; my career has given me the resources to travel and visit home whenever convenient; and most importantly, I’ve finally felt a sense of belonging and fulfillment through the things I’m now involved with. So, even on days where I’m completely worn out from keeping busy, I still wake up feeling blessed and thankful that I took that leap of faith. This all culminates into the initial lesson I learned from theatre: stepping out of my comfort zone. From stumbling through my very first audition to tackling challenging roles, theatre from the beginning has shown me that embracing the unknown can lead to some of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences. That lesson carried over to my decision to move, and it continues to inspire me to seek out new adventures both on and off the stage.