About Me
Originally from Kansas City, Charles “Chad” Luetje did what all Midwesterners fear most: he left the Midwest. In 2022, he moved to New York City in order to attend Molloy/CAP21 and pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. Since then, he has performed at regional theatres, a theme park, and multiple theatre festivals.
Other than theatre, his favorite hobbies include Nintendo video games, anything related to Disney, failing to dominate trivia, and spending time with his beloved cat, Summer. He also writes, and is a self-proclaimed up-and-coming playwright. He promises he can write, despite how many hyphens he used in the previous sentence.
Chad believes that theatre is the utmost highest of all art forms. Witnessing live theatre creates a direct, emotional connection for the audience that impacts them by bringing them on a journey alongside the characters. As the final curtain descends, audience members leave the theatre changed. He loves taking theatre to new extremes; he craves to bewilder audiences with a sense of dazed wonderment where they can not believe what happened despite witnessing it themselves.
And yes, Chad is writing this section in third person.
Q & A
Q: How did you first get involved in theatre?
A: Wow, that’s a good one! Growing up, my mom would always take me to whatever musical was playing in town, whether it be community theatre, regional theatre, or a touring production. My fair share of Yo Gabba Gabba! Lives were also thrown in there. I instantly fell in love with it without knowing, and the first chance I had to perform in 6th grade I instantly took it. Playing a hyena in The Lion King Jr. led me down an amazing path that I’m to follow for the rest of my life.
Q: What are your favorite musicals that you have seen?
A: The first Broadway show that I saw, and my favorite to this day, is SpongeBob Broadway. The sets and costumes were entirely so creative, the way that the soundtrack was made is still innovative for a Broadway show, and the show is simply fun. There are so many laughs to be had. Some other favorites include the incredibly underrated shows Harmony: A New Musical and First Date as well as the universally beloved Beetlejuice The Musical and Fiddler on the Roof. I’m also very partial to the musical episode of Once Upon A Time.
Q: What sort of music do you listen to?
A: Solely musical theatre. It’s a problem. I can’t recognize anything relevant in the current musical zeitgeist.
Q: You said you were a writer. How did that start?
A: I started out in early middle school by writing multi-fandom crossover stories, but over time I refined the skills that I learned from those admittedly cheesy fan fictions into a knack for comedic writing. At least, I hope it’s comedic. I find it funny. What if nobody else finds it funny? Oh no, what if I’ve been walking through my whole life as a fraud?
Q: I’m not really sure what to say…
A: You were in on it. Everybody’s been laughing at me and not with me! I’ve been the fool this whole time! Well, world, here’s your jester! But I shan’t dance for you, I shall only dance for myself! For myself!
Q: Uh, okay…
A: Sorry, I, um, I don’t know what came over me there.
Q: Yeah…
A: …
Q: …
A: …
Q: So what’s your favorite type of chocolate?
A: Definitely 3 Musketeers, all the way.
