Wet Hot American Summer: First Day At Camp is the serialized sitcom prequel to the 2000 film of the same name (that focuses on the last day of camp) from creative forces Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black, and David Wain. The show stars Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, and Elizabeth Banks amongst others as Camp Firewood’s counselors, but now in this incarnation, the action focuses a lot more on the milestones and crushes of the young campers. Playing smooth-voiced camp DJ Arty is young actor George Dalton. Arty’s old school DJ-ing skills are complete with a punny wit and a velvet voice…in other words, Arty is a bit of a charmer, albeit a nerdy one. You might also be familiar with the actor behind Arty from his musical career–he created a kinda awesome jazzy cover of Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen.” YE got a chance to chat with this multi-talented dude to talk about life on the WHAS set, his career in music, and his future in acting.
The adult cast of WHAS:FDAC
YE: How did you discover that you liked acting and working in comedy?
GD: When I was very little I would dance around in my living room, dress up in costumes, and do scenes with my friends. I had also seen shows and plays and that made me think “I want to do that!” As far as comedy goes…I truly love making people laugh.
YE: What was an average day on Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp like? Any funny stories from the set?
GD: When I got there I was instantly in a costume and on the set. It takes a lot of hours and time to get things done, and yet you have so much fun in the process! One day on set we were shooting a scene where I was reading a pamphlet and walking off a school bus at the same time. I had no idea where I was going and tumbled down the steps of the school bus.
YE: Who did you work with the most? Did you get close with anyone in the cast?
GD: The person I worked with the most was Michael Ian Black, he was a lot of fun to work with.
Dalton with comedian Michael Ian Black
YE: What TV shows are you obsessed with right now?
GD: I have the biggest obsession with American Horror Story! Literally, it’s my favorite show and I can’t wait for Season 5, Hotel, to come out!
YE: Tell us about the release of your music video? Why did you choose to cover “Trap Queen?”
GD: My song “Trap Queen” was released on July 19th. You can get it on iTunes now! The reason I choose it was because I wanted to take something that was totally not my style and completely change everything!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zvo0Vm_3XIQ
YE: What are your goals musically? And what’s up next for you regarding acting?
GD: I hope to one day be very successful with my music and work on Broadway. My dream role would be The Phantom of The Opera! I am also currently co-writing and staring in a sequel to a horror film.
YE: Who do you dream about working with?
GD: With my slight obsession with AHS, definitely Jessica Lange or any other cast member of American Horror Story!
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day At Camp is streaming now on Netflix, though be warned that the content and themes of WHAS may not be appropriate for viewers of all ages–check with the parentals before bingeing!!!
