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Queery: Alex Mills

The Synetic ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ lead answers 20 gay questions

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Alex Mills (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Alex Mills is in the midst of a heinously busy day. It’s after 11 p.m. and he’s been in heavy-duty tech rehearsals since 5:30. After we get off the phone, he’s going back for another 90 minutes or so. It’s all part of the grueling process of getting a show on its feet.

Mills plays the title role in “Jekyll & Hyde,” the latest movement-based extravaganza from Arlington’s Synetic Theater where Mills has been in several shows since 2008. It started when he took a year off from college overwhelmed by the daunting Boston University tuition price. A friend suggested he check out Synetic. He did, got a callback and is now one of the innovative theater’s senior company members.

If the roster there seems rather insular, he says it’s out of necessity. The grueling physical training regimen its visionaries — Paata and Irina Tsikurishvilli — put their players through means other actors in the region not steeped in the Synetic tradition could get up to speed fast enough for a single show. Synetic members commit to one show a year and staying up to date with their training sessions. Mills is just starting to branch out some — look for him at Studio and Signature in the coming year.

But is the all-consuming nature of the work at Synetic too overwhelming after a few years?

“Doing these shows is so fulfilling,” the 23-year-old Fredericksburg, Va., native says. “There’s such a sense of ownership in the worl, it’s sort of my spiritual outlet as well. It’s what fills me up. A lot of the actors say after they haven’t been doing a show for a month or so, that they feel so empty … we’re very close. We talk about everything and no each other so intimately. They’re the closest people in my life.”

“Jekyll & Hyde” is in previews now and opens officially Thursday and runs through Oct. 21. Visit synetictheater.org for details.

Mills, who’s single, says he has few interests outside theater. He was crashing with a friend recently but just moved to Bloomingdale.

How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell?

I came out when I was 21 so I guess that makes it about a year and a half for me. The hardest person to tell (and by hard I don’t mean in any way hard due to repercussions or any fear of not being accepted) was my mom. I think for most guys coming out the first significant person in your life you tell, whether it be friends or family, is always the hardest because its like “There’s no going back now!”

Who’s your LGBT hero?

Anderson Cooper. I admire him for his professionalism and the fact that him being gay is not something that he even feels he has to explain to people. He is what he is and lives his life.

What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present? 

I’m probably the worst person to ask this to because I am so not in the scene. Being in theater, I would say wherever the cast of a large play or musical goes to is going to be the best nightspot you could find. It’s a free show.

Describe your dream wedding.

I actually don’t have a fully fleshed out idea of what I would want but it would be small, probably on the beach with close friends and family. Or on Mars; the landing of this rover has really got me thinking.

What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about?

Women’s rights. Legitimate rape? Come on. It’s amazing how these people come into power.

What historical outcome would you change?

Luke Skywalker going to the Dark Side.

What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime?

The whole era of Britney Spears going crazy.

On what do you insist?

Be able to laugh at yourself.

What was your last Facebook post or Tweet?

Dear God, Ryan and I tackled him moving in like a couple of coke heads with a mission; shazamablama!

If your life were a book, what would the title be?

“Makin’ it Work; somehow”

If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do?

That’s a thought I don’t even want to entertain. I’d be afraid it’d turn into an “X-Men 3”-type situation.

What do you believe in beyond the physical world? 

I wouldn’t say I believe in something beyond the physical world, necessarily, but I do like to think and hope that there’s some energy out there that directs us or at least collects us at the end.

What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders?

Be strong and patient.

What would you walk across hot coals for?

My friends and family.

What LGBT stereotype annoys you most?

That we are all super coiffed at all times.

What’s your favorite LGBT movie?

“Were the World Mine.” I saw it during the time when I was in rehearsals for a “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

What’s the most overrated social custom?

Having to keep conversation with people when you don’t want to.

What trophy or prize do you most covet?

I want an Olympic medal so bad. Ideally, in gymnastics, but that ship has sailed.

What do you wish you’d known at 18?

That coming out doesn’t make the slightest difference in the world, at least in my life with the people I’m surrounded by.

Why Washington?

It was never a choice for me, I started working up here with Synetic Theater when I was 19 and I’ve been trucking along ever since. I love the community, and the fact that D.C. is totally manageable and not overwhelming. And it just fits, at least for right now in my life.

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Books

Celebrate Pride month by reading these books

History, pop culture, and more

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(Photo courtesy of Terri Schlichenmeyer)

You’ve done your share of marching.

You’re determined to wring every rainbow-hued thing out of this month. The last of the parties hasn’t arrived yet, neither have the biggest celebrations and you’re primed but – OK, you need a minute. So pull up a chair, take a deep breath, and read these great books on gay history, movies, and more.

You probably don’t need to be told that harassment and discrimination was a daily occurrence for gay people in the past (as now!), but “American Scare: Florida’s Hidden Cold War on Black and Queer Lives” by Robert W. Fieseler (Dutton, $34) tells a story that runs deeper than you may know. Here, you’ll read a historical expose with documented, newly released evidence of a systemic effort to ruin the lives of two groups of people that were perceived as a threat to a legislature full of white men.

Prepared to be shocked, that’s all you need to know.

You’ll also want to read the story inside “The Many Passions of Michael Hardwick: Sex and the Supreme Court in the Age of AIDS” by Martin Padgett (W.W. Norton & Company, $31.99), which sounds like a novel, but it’s not. It’s the story of one man’s fight for a basic right as the AIDS crisis swirls in and out of American gay life and law. Hint: this book isn’t just old history, and it’s not just for gay men.

Maybe you’re ready for some fun and who doesn’t like a movie? You know you do, so you’ll want “Sick and Dirty: Hollywood’s Gay Golden Age and the Making of Modern Queerness” by Michael Koresky (Bloomsbury, $29.99). It’s a great look at the Hays Code and what it allowed audiences to see, but it’s also about the classics that sneaked beneath the code. There are actors, of course, in here, but also directors, writers, and other Hollywood characters you may recognize. Grab the popcorn and settle in.

If you have kids in your life, they’ll want to know more about Pride and you’ll want to look for “Pride: Celebrations & Festivals” by Eric Huang, illustrated by Amy Phelps (Quarto, $14.99), a story of inclusion that ends in a nice fat section of history and explanation, great for kids ages seven-to-fourteen. Also find “Are You a Friend of Dorothy? The True Story of an Imaginary Woman and the Real People She Helped Shape” by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Levi Hastings (Simon & Schuster, $19.99), a lively book about a not-often-told secret for kids ages six-to-ten; and “Papa’s Coming Home” by Chasten Buttigieg, illustrated by Dan Taylor (Philomel, $19.99), a sweet family tale for kids ages three-to-five.

Finally, here’s a tween book that you can enjoy, too: “Queer Heroes” by Arabelle Sicardi, illustrated by Sarah Tanat-Jones (Wide Eyed, $14.99), a series of quick-to-read biographies of people you should know about.

Want more Pride books? Then ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for more, because there are so many more things to read. Really, the possibilities are almost endless, so march on in.

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Music & Concerts

Indigo Girls coming to Capital One Hall

Stars take center stage alongside Fairfax Symphony

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The Indigo Girls are back in the area next week. (Photo courtesy of Vanguard Records)

Capital One Center will host “The Indigo Girls with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra” on Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20 at 8 p.m. at Capital One Hall. 

The Grammy Award-winning folk and pop stars will take center stage alongside the Fairfax Symphony, conducted by Jason Seber. The concerts feature orchestrations of iconic hits such as “Power of Two,” “Get Out The Map,” “Least Complicated,” “Ghost,” “Kid Fears,” “Galileo,” “Closer to Fine,” and many more.

Tickets are available on Ticketmaster or in person at Capital One Hall the nights of the concerts. 

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Calendar

Calendar: June 13-19

LGBTQ events in the days to come

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Friday, June 13

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. at Wundergarten. An update will be posted the night of the event on where to find WiTT’s table. There’ll be a Pride flag to help people find the group. For more details, join WiTT’s closed Facebook group

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach bar and Restaurant. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

Saturday, June 14

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Pride Month Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including Allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Rainbow History Project will host “Behind the Scenes With the Senior Curator of ‘Pickets, Protests and Parades’” at 7:30p.m. at Freedom Plaza. This behind-the-scenes experience offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind this groundbreaking showcase of DC’s LGBTQ+ history. Learn about the bold design decisions that shaped the Quote Wall and Hero Cubes and the powerful stories that almost made the cut. Tickets cost $82 and can be purchased on Eventbrite

Monday, June 16

“Center Aging Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected]

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary. Whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more information, visit their website at www.genderqueerdc.org or check us out on Facebook

Tuesday, June 17

Bi+ Roundtable and Discussion will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather in order to discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. Check out Facebook or Meetup for more information.

Wednesday, June 18

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

“Legends Live Loud: A Queer Karaoke Experience” will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This will be a dynamic, Center-wide karaoke event celebrating the brilliance and cultural impact of some of our most colorful queer icons. The Center will honor legends through music, pop culture, dance, and inextinguishable liberation. For more details and to sign up, visit the DC Center’s website

Thursday, June 19

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Book Club” at 7:30 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. This book club is co-hosted by EQUALITY NoVa and is another opportunity to engage in a fun and rewarding activity. The group doesn’t discriminate when it comes to genres it reads – from classic literature to best selling novels to biographies to histories to gay fiction. For more details, visit Eventbrite

Cultivating Change Foundation will host “Cultivating Pride Happy Hour” at 5:30 p.m. at Dacha Beer Garden. This Pride month, the organization is inviting LGBTQ+ people and allies in food and agriculture to come together in communities nationwide. These informal gatherings are a chance to connect, celebrate, and build community, whether it’s over coffee, a cocktail, or a conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite

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