Tony Winner Alex Sharp on His ‘Complicated’ Feelings About Saying Goodbye to Curious Incident

In the corporate world, employees leaving a job are often asked to sit through an exit interview with HR about their time at the company. That concept doesn’t exist for Broadway performers, but we love checking in with stars as they finish up a successful run. Alex Sharp, who made an extraordinary Tony-winning Broadway debut as Christopher in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, will play his final performance in the role on September 13. We asked Sharp to take Broadway.com’s Exit Interview to tell us all about what he’ll miss, what he learned and more about his astonishing year.

How did you feel when you first got this job?
Surprised and extremely excited for the opportunity to work my ass off and bring to life a truly unique and beautiful character. Later I did feel a lot of pressure and tried to ignore it the best I could. The only genre of pressure I could not ignore was related to the fact that to take this part on you are representing something and someone that means a great deal to many people. I still feel that pressure today, but it is also what has made it easy to work incredibly hard throughout the 400 and something shows we have done together at the Barrymore.

How do you feel now that you’re leaving?
It's complicated. I feel like I am abandoning Christopher on some levels, that I should keep voicing his story, and that hurts. I love him so, so much. But, such things must come to an end. It has been at times an immensely painful experience, getting to the emotional place that the play demands, day after day after day. That said, it was more than worth it. Christopher has taught me so much; he was kind and he was cruel to me. I need to get back to being Alex now, and move on to new and exciting challenges in my career—and repair the extensive damage I have done to my body!

What are three words you would use to describe your experience?
Extraordinary. Profound. Meaningful. And confetti.

What was the easiest thing about this job?
Honestly, nothing about it was easy. But that is what I loved so much. I don't like doing things that are easy!

What was the hardest thing?
There were many things that were challenging: The physical pain from the injuries, doing a great deal of press while performing at night, screaming that much every night was hard, too. I guess the hardest thing was letting the character take me over. It is what I had to do, I felt, to do the most possible justice to the character, but there were some times it went quite far. That said, nothing—and I mean nothing—out weighs the beauty and rewards of playing this part. It is my job to go there, and push myself, and I loved him and love it more than I can tell you in words.

What was the highlight of your time at this job?
The greatest award any actor could win on this planet, I had already won on the first day of rehearsal. And that is to be working with a company that soon came to feel like a family. A group of not only exceptional actors, but also just people that I loved and admired and learned from. I had to set aside a separate time every day to warm up, because in the group warm-ups, we would just sit around talking and enjoying each other’s company. It was awesome. This is an ensemble show and without one of the amazing team members in that cast, it would not work.

What skills do you think are required for future job applicants?
“Applicants” LOL. This interview is so official So many. It takes quite a variety of skills to play this character, and I came in with some of them down, and some of them I had to learn real fast—on the job. Everyone entering into this play will come in with something different.

What advice would you give to future employees in your job position?
Eat well. Sleep well. Hydrate well. Stay focused. Love Christopher.

How do you think you’ve grown?
I've grown as an actor. I am more confident within my art form. I have also grown as a person. I am more compassionate, generous and less judgmental. Thank you, Christopher.

Why are you leaving?
To move on, and to rejuvenate... It has been over a year, after all. I need to heal!

What will you miss the most?
Everyone who works at the Ethel Barrymore Theater. And the fans. Coming out of the stage door, spending time with people, hearing why the story resonates with them specifically. I could not have done this without them. I needed their support, Christopher needed their support, and they gave it endlessly. For that I will be forever grateful. After all, that is what theater is all about... people. And I'll miss my dresser Jim, he is a special person and he makes cups of tea that the Queen of England would be spoiled to get.

Additional comments:
Thank you to the Broadway community. You made me feel so at home . Thank you so very much—it means more than I can put down in words. I'll be back. Until then, much love and confetti and stay awesome!