Mickeey Nguyen – Utopia Falls

By:  Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I just finished a Netflix series called “October Faction.” It is a completely different show and it was really the polar opposite of “Utopia Falls.” It was crazy having it released just before “Utopia Falls.” There is such a big dynamic difference between the two. Outside of that, I’m kind of keeping my teachings going. I’m really very method into inspiring and moving the next generation of artists. So, I am teaching my classes here and I pretty much devote my classes the next set of dancers and performers coming up.

Q) How was your character Mags originally described to you?

A) I think going into the audition I kind of related to Mags a lot because he’s such a bright, hopeful, colorful, caring person and he really does care about the people around him. I kind of just drew within myself. In a sense, I’m going into basically almost playing myself. He was the comic relief of the series. With the tonality of “Utopia Falls,” you really need someone like to Mags to lighten up certain moments. There are going to be tons of times where things seem like it’s going downhill and that’s just kind of sheds light on every situation. That really, really is like me in my daily life. I like to think I’m a comedic person and a very sensible person. I kind of just molded from my own truths and my own experiences to where I am now to just bring out Mags and bring him to life.

Q) What did you find challenging about your portrayal?

A) I think the one big challenging part about playing Mags was sometimes in certain moments there almost has to be a balance between being the comedic relief of such a dark toned series. It really depends on if it calls for comedy to come in. I think it really does take a lot of thought and precision to make sure that it is not coming out of nowhere. So, I think that was probably the most challenging part. Even though Mags is such a bright light in this series, he also has to balance out the atmosphere that the series is calling for. I think that was the most challenging part because I think my past experiences have been coming up from Disney’s Zombies and Nickelodeon’s “Make It Pop.” So, I’m not used to this over eccentric heightened version of myself (in a way). It’s really kind of polishing up and balancing that really was kind of the most challenging part of playing Mags.

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on the series?

A) I was familiar and like a huge fan of Devyn [Nekoda] and Akiel [Julien] (who play Sage and Bohdi). I was such a big fan of them because Devyn comes from “Backstage,” which I used to watch, and Akiel comes from “The Next Step.” Watching them I was just completely in awe because they are such talented individuals. They have such raw talent and it’s so refined. Seeing them and meeting them in person…Oh man! I had a complete fangirl moment! I was like, “Oh my God! Oh my God! I can’t believe you’re in front of my face! I’m so used to seeing you on screen and now you’re right beside me. I can literally touch you.” [laughs] I definitely made sure the first time we met that I told them that. It was incredible to share the experience with them in person.

Q) What kind of preparation went into your portrayal?

A) When it comes to prepping for the show, there is a lot that comes from it. There is a lot of rehearsals and a lot of recording because you do get to hear music that is produced by Boi-1Da and the choreography taught by Tanisha Scott. What I found was most incredible, especially in terms of choreography, was the preparation and seeing it all kind of be crafted in front of my eyes. With “Utopia Falls” there is like a standard. It is in a dystopian near future where it takes place and watching her and seeing Boi-1Da kind of fall into that and really try to nail the fact there is a traditional standard – this is the norm…It’s really inspiring to see it become so crafted. It was such a drastic change, especially when the cast is introduced to the archives which is then branches out to this whole new world where we’re seeing a ton of different elements that are outside of that cultural standard. You see a lot of elements of hip hop and you see a lot of elements of pop. To have that kind of contrast between prior to archive and after the archive (in terms of appreciation for the choreography and the music) is incredible to see. I think the audience is in for a real treat that they can really see the difference between the two.

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes or episodes to film?

A) There are a ton of good moments in there! There are a ton of stuff that I looked out for, but I almost forgot that there is a ton of stuff that the other cast members had as well. Everyone has their crazy, amazing moments in the series. For me, I just love it when Mags has a time where he steps out of his bright comedic self to kind of nail down and be full on grounded and tell it like it is. You really do see Mags have a completely different side to that. I think that is what I most enjoyed – seeing the depth of what Mags had and seeing the progression and growth he had from episode one all the way to the finale. You really do see a big development in his character. I think that is something I loved watching – not only for Mags but for the entire cast. You see this group of teens grow up and really kind of mature. They are really doing something that is going to make a big, big change in this dystopian future. It’s going to be incredible.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the fan feedback you’ll receive to the series?

A) Oh man! In terms of social media, I love posting. I share things here and there, but I never really wanted to be on the lookout for a large amount of traffic coming in because I don’t personally like being in the eye. It’s so funny because people are like, “Oh my God! You’re like a celebrity now! You must like feeling so loved by all these people.” I’m like, “No. I really do feel like just a regular person.” Am I anticipating there is going to be a huge, huge amount of following and people who are on the lookout for the next big thing that is going to happen? I’m not looking forward to it because I really do just think I’m here and doing what I love. I’m doing what I love and I’m sharing it with the people who also love it as well. I really just do things like a regular person with an opportunity to have a voice and I really do hope to utilize that voice in a way that helps people. I’m just looking forward to sharing what we’ve all crafted together and what we’ve been devoted to for many, many, many months. I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks of it. I think it’s going to be great. It’s going to be something that no one has ever seen before.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure we share with our readers about your time on “Utopia Falls?”

A) It’s crazy to see the amount of support and love from everyone around me. I just anticipate that people will hopefully enjoy what they see and love what they hear. I’m here and I’m ready for the next season. It’s going to be phenomenal and I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks of it.