Meet the cast: Interview with Charles Wu and Chaya Ocampo

We spoke with Charles Wu and Chaya Ocampo, the stars of the upcoming rom-com musical The Questions by Van Badham and Richard Wise, and asked them each a lightning round of questions about what audiences will take from the show and if they would have their character from the play over for dinner!

How was the audition process for The Questions?

I was fortunate enough to be approached for this role by Van and Mitchell, having worked with them both in the past. I do remember being quite nervous for our first development however, as I’ve never done a musical before nor can I read sheet music. I met the team in Melbourne where I happened to be doing a show, and during the days before my hour call I would listen to the recordings repeatedly to get the songs into my body, largely learning by ear; something I’m still essentially doing now in rehearsals.

What have been some life changing moments in your career so far?

I’ll forever be grateful for the first show I did at Belvoir Theatre in Sydney – my foot in the door. I’ve absorbed immeasurably from working with artists like Kate Mulvany, Mandy McElhinney and Peter Carroll subsequently in my career.

Your character “The Resident” first comes across as reserved and doesn’t like mess or things out of order. Would you say the two of you are similar or dissimilar?

I’m definitely similar to the Resident in many ways, though I’d hope I’m less fastidious and more forgiving than he can be. I do love order and cleanliness. I think there is beauty and calm that can come from respecting one’s material world.

Would go to dinner with your character (The Resident)? How do you think that would go?

Of course I’d go to dinner with the Resident. We’d trade tips and nerd out over functional furniture and organisational prowess.

In what ways to you think The Questions will speak to younger audiences and why people should come to see it?

Our story is about the joy of discovering and working towards love and connection, and navigating the many pitfalls of modern dating for young people. The world can be scary, we are crippled by choice, and the Apps can feel like work. Too much of our ideas about other people are augmented by what we think we know about them from social media and the wider Internet. As a famous comedian once said, when we meet someone on a first date, we’re not meeting them – we’re meeting their representative. The story of the Resident and Visitor is like a crash course in how to navigate being thrown into an uncomfortable situation with someone you think you have nothing in common with, and then given the invitation to expand what you know to be true and good about the world. I think that’s quite an accurate description of what dating is. I wish I could have seen this show when I was younger.

What was the audition process for “The Questions” like for you?

It was an open call out and everyone I knew was sending it to me, so I put a lot of effort and hard work into the scenes and songs to get the tape down, all while on tour for another show. So I was in my apartment somewhere in regional Victoria taping all the material and, after a few weeks, Shelley wrote back and said they’d like to put me on hold for the dates. Then a few weeks later there was a final callback on Zoom, as they wanted to see how I worked with Mitchell and if the chemistry was right with Charles, and literally the day after that, I got the call saying I booked it! I was very happy obviously and am so grateful to be a part of this show.

What have been some life changing moments in your career to date?

This show is definitely a milestone as it’s my main stage debut and I am so excited for this opportunity. I’ve worked on a lot of new work since graduating drama school and I’m very grateful for that. I’ve learned so much from working with all of these amazing writers and originating characters that have never been developed before, and that in itself is life changing.

Your character “The Visitor” is super outgoing, she’s talkative and opinionated. Would you say the two of you are similar or dissimilar?

I can confidently say we’re very similar in that regard. I am also super outgoing, talkative and opinionated. My friends and family can attest to this haha.

Would go to dinner with you character (The Visitor)? How do you think that would go?

I would. I think overall, it would be a fun time and she’d been fun to hang out with but I’m also afraid we’re too similar to hang out with each other. I would however want to know about her life and masters degree because that would be very interesting to me.

In what ways do you think “The Questions” will speak to younger audiences and why people should come to see it?

I think younger audiences will connect to the modern dating aspect and trying to find love in this digital age. Also, as Van said, we live in a very politically polarising time where men, women and gender-non conforming individuals are trying to navigate the roles we all play romantically in each other’s lives. I think this show explores that in a very funny, sweet and uplifting way. It’s so enjoyable which is why everyone should see it.