BAKER POWELL TALKS THE MADISON
"Happy to come in and do my part"
Daniel John
In 'The Madison', a New York–based family shattered by tragedy retreats to rural Montana where sorrow and connection intertwine as they process an unimaginable loss. The extended 'Yellowstone' universe has become such a cultural force, how would you put into words the pull of being part of it?
It’s pretty exciting. The world Taylor Sheridan has built has such a huge audience, so even getting to step into that universe for a moment feels special. As an actor you just hope to be a part of stories people are really connecting with, and this is clearly one of them. I was just happy to come in, do my part, and contribute to that world.
What can you tell about your character as you see him. Who is Bryan?
Without giving too much away, Bryan is someone we meet in a pretty specific moment under some heightened circumstances. I tried to think about who he is in his everyday life, and how he fits into that environment. My goal was just to keep him simple and real.
How does auditioning for a co–star role such as this one work, do you know the part you are reading for, or is that not always clear?
Usually you get a couple pages of sides and a short description of the role. Sometimes it’s clear who the character is, but other times, and especially on the new shows like this one, details can be pretty limited. When that happens, you just have to fill in the blanks for yourself and make choices that make sense to you. With co-star auditions, the main thing is understanding the tone of the show and making a clear, simple choice.
With so much of an actor’s time spent auditioning, is there any approach or like a mindset around it that you have found key to getting the most out of it?
I’ve learned to treat auditions as my chance to just be creative and honestly have fun with the material! Once you take the pressure off and focus on the work you give yourself the freedom to just be present and give an authentic, grounded performance. And at the end of the day, that’s really all you can control.
How did you first realize the power and all the wonder of stories, being brought to life through acting?
For me, one film that really opened my eyes to acting was 'Into the Wild'. It wasn’t just the main character, but also all the different people he meets along the way. Each of them has such a distinct personality, and every encounter leaves an impression on him, or he leaves one on them. Seeing that made me realize that acting is really about examining different corners of the human experience. How film can capture small moments between people that say something bigger about the human condition. That really stuck with me.
How do you give your most truthful, outmost performance. No matter the part?
I usually start with very simple questions, what does this person want in the scene, and what happens if they don’t get it? Once I understand that, I try not to overcomplicate it. When you get to set with the other actors, you just need to remember that it’s not all about you, it’s about listening and reacting to your scene partners, and in doing so, things can change in your performance. It may not go exactly the way you rehearsed it and that’s fine.
These shows place a strong emphasis on the bonds of family and how that guidance affects people's paths, across generations. Did you always feel you had the support from the people around you to go after the life of an actor?
Yes, I’ve been lucky in that way. Acting can be a pretty uncertain path, so having people around you who support you makes a big difference. My parents have always been encouraging and supportive, and they’ve also helped keep me grounded, along the way.
