In Student Spotlight The Verge showcases an Eastern student. This week The Verge is featuring Andrew Swanson, who plays Fredrick Fellows in “Noises Off.”

“Noises Off” by Michael Frayn will start production on April 15 at 7 p.m. The play will feature several different actors and crew in humorous situations depicting what really happens backstage. Andrew Swanson, a sophomore theatre arts major, will be playing Fredrick Fellows in “Noises Off.”

Swanson’s interest in theater began early in his life, acting in other plays for his high school as well as being in a professional production of “A Christmas Carol” when he was young.

“I was in fifth grade, and my friend signed up for an acting class and he forced me to come along with him,” Swanson said. I didn’t really want to do it, but then I ended up loving it and did it ever since.”

The character Swanson plays is a neurotic, dim-witted actor who worries and never really knows what he’s doing.

“”Noises Off” is definitely a comedy,” Swanson said. It’s sort of like a play within a play. It’s neat because it gives you an inside look at what really happens backstage during a show and it’s pretty accurate to what actually happens.”

Swanson is happy to be a theatre major and he is passionate about the success he’s had so far.

“Every time you try to tell people you’re a theater major, they often wonder, “What are you going to do with that?” I think you really just have to love it,” Swanson said. When it comes to being in shows, for me it’s just about rehearsing and going over and over the material. That way, you’ll feel comfortable with it and you’re not constantly worried about what’s coming next.”

“Noises Off” will take place in The Theatre of the Doudna Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $5 for students, $12 for Eastern employees and seniors and $15 for general admission.

Matt Congreve can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].