Travaris Spears (INTERVIEW)
Travaris Spears
The “Admission” Interview
with Kam Williams
Veni! Vidi! Varis!
Known to many as
"Varis" or simply as "V," Travaris Spears hails from Rochester, New
York where, at an early age, he displayed a charm
that was engaging and magnetic. An energy and passion for performing led him to
sing, dance, and even imitate his favorite artists and celebrities. Using the
world as his stage, Travaris leaves a lasting impression, thanks to a gift for
communicating and interacting with people from all walks of life.
In fact after performing in a Tiny
Tots school play, the director and audience members expressed to his mother
that he had something very, very special. With a desire for the best for her
son, his mother, Tanika, moved to Brooklyn in
2007.
From
the time they arrived in New York City,
she and Travaris set out to strengthen their resolve. Although Travaris was
blessed with natural talents, he committed himself to various activities that
enhance his character and improve his chances of blossoming as a professional
artist.
The
discipline Travaris displays at such a young age is unrivaled and enables him
to become fully engaged in a host of skill-building activities. His repertoire includes
enrollment at the American Tap Dance Foundation, weekly guitar lessons, as well
as voice and acting coaching.
While
maintaining excellent grades in school, he has appeared in a Siri/Universal
Record Music Video, a television show, print ads and several indie films.
Travaris' charisma is contagious, so appreciate him now and avoid the rush!
Here,
he talks about his new movie, Admission, a romantic comedy co-starring Tina Fey
and Paul Rudd, where he plays Rudd’s adopted son, Nelson.
Kam Williams: Hi, Travaris. It was nice meeting you and your
mom at the Princeton premiere. What interested
you in Admission?
Travaris Spears:
I think the thing that made me most interested in this role was playing a kid
that had a life totally different from mine. Nelson is adopted… He travels the
world with his father… no stability… no mother. It was interesting preparing
myself mentally for this role.
KW: What was it like being on the set
of your first feature film?
TS:
It was so exciting being on set for the first time. Everyone welcomed me with
love. It was a great cast to work with.
KW: Were you at all nervous acting
around big stars like Paul Rudd and Tina Fey?
TS:
Yes, I was nervous at first. I actually auditioned with Tina Fey before I was
offered the role, and she made me feel really comfortable. We connected
immediately. I was also able to meet Paul Rudd before I came on set to discuss
some of the scenes, and he was very friendly and cool to work with. After the
initial meeting, I was no longer nervous.
KW: How would you describe your
character, Nelson?
TS:
Nelson is an outgoing kid, very caring and outspoken. He loves to socialize
like myself. Nelson is a kid who wants stability, a normal life, a mom and the
same friends and the same school, instead of traveling the world with his
father. Nelson hates traveling.
KW: Are you anything like him in
real-life?
TS:
Yes, Nelson and I are outgoing, caring, not shy, and we like stability. I
couldn’t imagine traveling the world being taken away from my friends and
family constantly.
KW: What message do you think people
will take away from the film?
TS:
People will see that change is not always bad; you can find many things in
change including happiness.
KW: What was it like to see yourself up
on the big screen for the first time?
TS:
It was amazing to see myself on the big screen. I was so excited, I remember
thinking what will I look like, and hoping I did a good job and that people would
like my character. The one thing I was shocked about was everything I worked on
was not in the movie. I learned about the editing of movies at my first
screening of Admission. During the movie I said, “Mom, what happened to this
scene? I worked really hard on that and it was taken out.”
KW: Besides acting, you sing, dance,
play guitar and even box. Which is your favorite?
TS:
I’m involved in a lot of activities and I enjoy them all, but if I could pick a
favorite it would be acting.
KW: What do you like to do to unwind?
TS:
On a busy day for me, once I finish work, I like to play video games or listen
to music.
KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was
the last time you had a good laugh?
TS:
I always have good laughs daily. I’m a happy kid. For example, I’m a member at
Gleason’s boxing gym, and my nickname there is Happy.
KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question:
What was the last book you read?
TS:
The last book I read was “The Red Pyramid” by Rick Riordan.
KW: What is your favorite dish to eat?
TS:
Chicken Pad Thai and cheese pizza.
KW: When you look in the mirror, what
do you see?
TS:
When I look in the mirror I see a handsome young man… smart, charming, willing
to work hard for his dream… never giving up. And someone willing to help other
people.
KW: If you could have one wish
instantly granted, what would that be for?
TS:
My only wish is to become a successful actor, and to be able to take care of my
family and to help others in need.
KW: The Kerry Washington question: If
you were an animal, what animal would you be?
TS:
I would be a lion. They’re strong creatures and they rule the jungle.
KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is
your earliest childhood memory?
TS:
I remember when I moved to New York City
when I was in the first grade. I remember being excited but also sad that I was
leaving behind my friends and family in Rochester
where I was born.
KW: The Anthony Anderson question: If
you could have a superpower, which one would you choose?
TS:
If I had a superpower, it would be to be able to help anyone in need.
KW: The Michael Ealy question: If you
could meet any historical figure, who would it be?
TS:
It would be Martin Luther King, because he never gave up on his dream.
KW: Thanks again for the time,
Travaris, and best of luck with Admission and with your career.
TS:
No problem. Thanks for taking the time out to interview me.
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