What's in a name?
MARC: Well, my dad's name was David, and my grandfather is David. So, my mom wanted me to keep the name, but she also wanted me to be Marc, and David Marc sounds better than Marc David. So basically, I've been Marc since I could breath air.
JC: Everyone has always just called me "JC" or "C" 'cause it's easier than Josh.
How It All Started
JC: Well, I was chillin' at my friend's house and she said there was a dance recital coming up, and she wanted a few guys to be in the group. So, me and my friend, KC, were down there and she was like, "Do it, do it, do it!" I was like, "You must be crazy. I aint gettin' up in front of nobody." Then she said that if you win, you get to go down to Florida for finals. I was like, "Florida? What's happenin'?!" I did it, and that was my first experience. I was in the 8th grade. We won first place. Then we came down here and won nationals. A couple weeks later I saw an ad in the paper for this (the audition for MMC), so I went and checked it out.
ILANA: I've been dancing since I was six or seven, and dancing was completely my life. My dance instructor basically got me started in the business. I had no clue. I went on this audition for Les Miz thinking it was a dance audition. I didn't even know what I was getting into. She was like, "I guess you should learn this song just in case they ask you to sing." So she totally worked on it with me. I didn't even have to dance in it. It wasn't dancing at all. (By the way, Ilana got the part.) (SunStar Note: In case anybody's wondering, it was the part of young Cosette)
MARC: I've always been very interested in it (performing). It's a part of who I am. So, when I was very young I was always performing in front of family and friends. Then I started getting into community theater because I wanted to do productions. That's how I really got started. It's volunteer work, you don't get paid. So basically, just for the love of it. From there, I begged my mom to get me an agent, which she wouldn't get me at first, because it's something you really have to be dedicated to in order to survive. She wanted to ensure that I was dedicated. Finally, when I was nine, I got an agent. I'm originally from Toronto, and that's where I started to do work. I started with commercials, industrial films, voice-overs, and radio commercials. Then I got into TV.
The Audition
I auditioned in Toronto. Actually, I did not know that the Mickey Mouse Club existed. I knew about the original series in the 50's but I didn't get the Family Channel (the channel MMC airs on in Canada). So, I did not know that there was a new series. So, when I was auditioning, I asked the casting agent when we would shoot pilot and he said, "Well, actually, we've been in production for two years." I felt kind of stupid at the time. (laughs) Anyway, I did my audition, which I had to do two songs, a ballad (Heartbreak Hotel) and an uptempo song (La Bamba), and a dance. Then he gave me a script to read. I went to my audition, then I had a call-back, and then I came down to Florida for an audition camp. It was four days, the first three being rehearsals and the fourth day being taped. We put together a little show, which was sent to LA and the Disney Channel executives selected from the tape who they wanted.
The Best Thing About The MMC
JC: The friends that I've made. I like hanging out with them cause they're a really cool bunch of people, and I know they'll be my friends for the rest of my life.
ILANA: In the show I love the singing and dancing. Performing is my favorite. Also, the people. There's a wonderful cast. Some of my best friends are here. We get to meet all kinds of really neat people. We have all kinds of crazy experiences. We get to go to a lot of different places.
MARC: I think the best part about it is the comedy we get to do. It's very fast-paced, quick, and we get to do a lot of improv because the show is taping live now. So, if you mess-up, you have keep going. It's really put us on our toes, and we have to be on the ball every minute that we're here.
The Changes In The Show
ILANA: What we're all trying to do is really focus on our acting abilities, like our comedy sketches, dancing, and performing live numbers. Basically, that's just what's in the show, along with Emerald Cove, which is the more serious side to the show.
MARC: I like the show a lot better now. I think the changes are really for the better. It's made for a hectic schedule, there's no denying that. It's much more hectic now, but it's a lot more fun because we rehearse the show in it's entirety and tape it (snaps his fingers), just like that. So, you would get to see how the show evolves. Before, we would be doing a sketch from 408 and a dance from 435, and who knows what goes together. Then, when you finally see it on air, you say, "Oh, that's where that goes." This way is much better, because the show makes more sense now.
JC: It's a lot cooler, if you ask me, 'cause I just like doing stuff live. We're doing a lot more live stuff. As a matter of fact, we're gonna do another song this week. We've done, basically, one live shong a week. I just like the whole thing 'cause now we're interactive with the audience. We're interactive with the people at home as well. It's not like a strict, formatted, laid out show. This is more like a free, more intense show. It keeps moving. It's fast paced. We do it all in one pass. We do it like a live show.
How Have You Changed?
MARC: Well, I like to think I've become a man. (laughs) That's the biggest change. When I came I was 13, and there's a big difference between 13 and 18.
JC: I guess I'm a little outspoken than I used to be. I used to keep to myself pretty much. The people I've been with have shown me a whole new way to have fun. A lot of my views have changed from being around different kinds of people. Over four years, a lot of you can change. I'm quicker to crack a joke on somebody! (laughs)
ILANA: When I first came on the show, I was 10 or 11, so I've changed quit a bit. I've grown up with all my friends here. It's so weird to watch old episodes, because we all just look so young. It's crazy. I've just completely grown up here.
Favorite Character
ILANA: On Emerald Cove I really like my character. She's kind of like me, but it's just like a regular high school. I wouldn't say I'm a lot like her, but I like that kind of thing. Just hanging out with my friends and going to the beach.
MARC: I've played a lot of characters and a lot of then I've had a lot of fun with, but there's a character I came up with called "Wayne Phelps." He was a nerd. It was a lot of fun 'cause most of it was improv. The only opportunity I was give to do improv on the show was through this character. So, it was really great. For our "wrap" video, one year, I did this whole thing on "Wayne Phelps" as a security guard, because everyone has to pass through a security guard to come to work. It was really fun. So, I think he was my favorite.
JC: We did a sketch this year called "Brainrot" and we got to be these crazy rockers. I liked that character. That was probably my favorite 'cause I had an excuse to wear a kilt. I was just like (he growls) all knarled out. I had super long hair. I got to experience that for a little while. So, I kind of like being the British rocker.
Most Embarrassing Moment
ILANA: I think stuff happens everyday. People miss cues and lines, and they mess up in dance numbers. Stuff happens all the time. At the end of the year they throw a huge "wrap" party, with everyone from the cast and crew. They have a "wrap" video that everyone watches. It's just all the off-takes. They're hilarious! It's just the whole show of everyone screwing up. I remember once they showed all the off-takes from the beginning of the show, when we say our names. It would say, "Ilana," under me and I would be crossing my eyes, sticking out my tongue, or making some stupid face.
MARC: I don't really get embarrassed because I've managed to turn all my embarrassing moments into funny things. I try to always make people laugh, and I figure if they're laughing with me and not at me then everything's all right, I just make a big joke out of it and everyone just kind of laughs. So, I really don't get embarrassed. The only thing that would really embarrass me is getting pantsed. One time on the set we were all wearing Rebock jump suits, and Fred came and totally pantsed me. I was embarrassed. I don't even remember what kind of boxers I had on. I think I might have even had Ren and Stimpy boxers or something really crazy like that on (laughs). That was really the only moment, 'cause what can you do? You can't turn that anything it's not.
Practical Jokes
ILANA: I'm not really a practical joker, but there's joking all the time on the set. It's like everyday working with a bunch of comedians. Stuff happens everyday with Marc, Dale, and all of them. They're just like crazy guys. Always playing jokes on everyone.
JC: Yeah, I've done a couple things. I put shaving cream in people's shoes and I put toothpaste, when people were sleeping, in their ears. He was mad! He was like, "Man, my ear is burning!" I was like, "That's fluoride, brother." Oh yeah, I've done some funky stuff too but I've had my share too. We did this pie sketch about three weeks ago. In the original script, I was supposed to get hit in the back with the pies. I wasn't supposed to have my face towards them. I was supposed to have turned around, and then they were supposed to hit me in the back. They turned around and slammed it in my face. I was just like "Agh!" That wasn't suppose to happen. I was in the middle of a taping and I just played it off. That's the fun part of our show 'cause it's live, so it's more free. It was much funnier, because my reaction was genuine.
MARC: Usually, I'm the master of practical jokes. I really can't give you any specifics because I'm always trying to make people laugh or feel silly. People try as hard as they can to get me, but I'm just too fast for them.
The Fans
MARC: It feels great to know that everything I'm doing is well received by the fans.
ILANA: The fans are great! In Orlando, we have a lot of fans that come back to every show and it's great to see familiar faces in the audience. People come back all the time and really enjoy the show. We love to hear from our fans.
JC: I like it. I think just about anyone would, because it's like there's one more person you can hang out with. If you see them and they say "Hi," then that's one more person to talk to, one more person to say "What's up?" to, and hang out with, and be cool with. You know, one more person.
After MMC
ILANA: I just started high school last year, so I'll be in grade ten this year. I want to finish high school, and go on to a university (probably in California). I have no idea what I want to become. I'll probably stay in this business because I enjoy it so much.
JC: Right now I'm in a two way street. I'm definitely going to stay in performing. It's just doing what? Am I gonna be an actor or a singer? I could even check into the production side of it. Maybe I want to engineer music or produce music, but it's definitely going to be in this field.
MARC: After MMC, I'm hopefully going to be moving to Los Angeles to live and work.
Your Biggest Influence
JC: Definitely my parents.
MARC: I'd have to say my mom's been my main influence, 'cause it's been just her and I, and my brother, since I was 9. Growing up I had her as my main influence. So, a lot of who I am stems from her, which I'm grateful for.
ILANA: I've had influences from all over. My parents, obviously. They've been so supportive of me. They're just wonderful. My dance instructor, who has been a long time friend. I'd also say that a lot of the people who I've looked up to were from Les Miz. There were only four kids my age. The rest were adults. I've learned a lot from then. Being in the theater was a wonderful experience and it really prepared me for here.
Free Time
MARC: I love to listen to music and I like to just sit and ponder the existence of life and the questions of the world. I take pleasure in just being able to sit and watch the clouds go by, and know that everything is all right.
ILANA: I love the outdoors. I love the summer in Toronto. I love water-skiing. I love to swim. I have relatives in Colorado, so we go skiing there every winter. This year I learned how to snowboard, which is so much fun. I love camping. I just really love the outdoors. I love to read and I love music.
JC: I like to go to the movies, hang out at the mall, and I also write music in my spare time.
The Perfect Guy
ILANA: (About her boyfriend) He's a sweet, sweet guy. He goes to my high school. We're both very into music. We go to concerts together. We both love reading. We're both kind of quiet. We just have so much fun together.
The Perfect Girl
JC: First of all, I like someone who's not afraid to laugh. Someone who doesn't get embarrassed easily. I do silly stuff. I just don't want someone to freak out if something loud happens. I like someone who can laugh at something. I like someone who's pretty easy going. They got to have a personality. They can't be stiff as a board. I like girls who have an opinion. I like strong minded women who have an opinion. I don't like someone's who's just gonna say "Yes" to everything I say. I want a person who can stand up for what they believe in.
MARC: Well, I don't have a list that I check off every time I meet someone, but, basically, someone who is truly honest with themselves.
Would You Date A Fan?
MARC: As of yet, I have not met a fan which I would go out with, but the time could come.
JC: Yeah, I would. It depends on how I'm approached. If they seem like a really cool person, then yeah, I would.
On Each Other
JC: Marc is very focused and he knows exactly what he wants. He's gonna go right after it, and I can totally see him going so far. He's very concentrate and he's very focused. Also a cool guy to hang out with. Ilana is just a really sweet girl. She's got a huge heart. Her heart can go out to just about anyone. It's hard to find that kind of beautifulness in someone and she's got it.
ILANA: Marc. Oh gosh, how do you describe Marc? Marc, he has so many personalities. He is really one of the funniest guys I've met, yet he can be very serious. He's like my older brother. He always looks out for me. He takes care of me. He's just a wonderful, wonderful, friend. JC's a big kidder. He has a lot of energy. He's also a great guy. He has so much energy. He's going all the time. He's a lot of fun. He plays jokes on everyone. He's always like tripping you or something.
MARC: Ilana and I have a great relationship, 'cause we're both from Toronto and we've both been here for the same amount of time. We're both really close. I look at it as a brother-sister relationship, but not, because we're such good friends. Hopefully, as the years pass on, we'll still be friends. JC and I have had a lot of great times. We learned how to surf together during Emerald Cove and that's something I'll never forget. JC and I hang out every once in a while. We haven't been surfing lately because we've been working so much.