NIU School of Theatre and Dance is busy preparing for their upcoming play, “Out of the Blue.” It is an exciting time in lead actor Eli Hamilton’s acting career, so the Northern Star had several questions for him about the play, acting and art.

Q: Can you give a brief synopsis on the play?

A: It’s a Russian play. “Out of the Blue” is about a young gay man who has to deal with being gay in Russia and that’s pretty hard because being openly gay in Russia today is very dangerous. It’s about the risk.

Q: What is your role in the play?

A: I play the boy, so I will be coming out to my parents and experiencing having my first boyfriend.

Q: How do you prepare for this role?

A: I had to make my character resonate with me, obviously, in order to do this. Everything he does is in the name of love and that’s how Iive my life. He’s fighting for his own type of love.

Q: When did you become interested in acting?

A: I tried to be class clown. I got in to public speaking; I just really like to pretend.

Q: What are the benefits of acting alongside classmates?

A: I know them. they aren’t random people. It’s very real [and] everyone up there is my partner.

Q: What is best about The School of Theatre and Dance?

A: It has made me a better actor as well as a better person. Our theatre program is good, our faculty is so welcoming — they are some of the most phenomenal people I’ve ever met.

Q: Why do colleges need art programs?

A: Art is the one thing you can’t replace with a robot. Art is the most expression, it’s what I’ve dedicated my entire life to and if someone isn’t willing to hear that out then I’m probably not willing to hear that person out. I want to expand my life. Art is life .

Q: What are your future plans in acting?

A: It’s up in the air, it’s an interesting question. I’m learning more techniques to help get to a better place emotionally; I’m going somewhere. I have to give this my all right now.

Q: How can people go see this play?

A: NIU students can get in for free if they are with The School of Theatre and Dance. The play will be run on the last week of September and the first week of October. For NIU students it is $12 and for others it is $17; It will be held at the Huntley Middle School Auditorium.

Q: Why should people go see “Out of the Blue?”

A: Everyone in DeKalb should see this play and I want this to start a conversation.

Showtimes for “Out of the Blue” are 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22-24 and 2 p.m. on Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29-30 and 2 p.m. Oct. 1 and tickets can be purchased at the SOTD website.