One of the breakout stars of Booksmart, Austin Crute, plays Alan in the film which stars two academic overachievers, Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein), who decide to show out on the eve of their graduation. For one night only, they try to make up for lost time. Crute goes one on one with Right On! Digital’s Cynthia Horner and passes with flying colors!
Q: You are incredibly talented. We have been following your career ever since you were on “Atlanta” and you have the most amazing video, “Signs,” which we plan to use on this site.
A: Thank you. Absolutely. I did this a year ago but in 2019 I will be rolling out all of my musical projects. My career will encompass both music and acting.
Q: Let’s talk about your role as Alan. Coincidentally, your character’s name begins with the letter “A.”
A: Yes, what attracted me to the role is the fact that the role actually found me. I was there to read for another character. I was in school at the time and said I was going to have to leave to go back to school and I was told that I should stay and read for the director. I came back and read and I loved the character.
Austin Crute (rear) had to figure out how to navigate in heels.
Credit: Francois Duhamel / Annapurna Pictures
Q: This film is a very edgy. How does the finished product compare with the script that you initially read?
A: It is so funny. It was so good. The script was tightly written and once I saw the whole film, I was like, “wow,” it was brought to life. And. the people in it were wonderful. There’s never a dull moment.
Austin Crute and Noah Galvin are hilarious! Credit: Francois Duhamel / Annapurna Pictures
Q: What scene sticks out to you the most?
A: The most surreal moment was the Murder Mystery party. That was my first time ever in drag and I had to walk around in heels and a dress. It was fun. I was graduating at the time and as they were shooting scenes (when I wasn’t on set) I was in the back on my laptop! While they were doing their high school graduation in Booksmart, I was doing my real college graduation!
Q: That’s great that you went to college. What school did you attend?
A: I went to Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. I went there for music, but I was always doing some acting and my mother was not playing with me; she wanted me to have a double major. So I said okay. I was in a production of “Hairspray” and from there it spiraled an spiraled. Then I got the part on the TV series “Atlanta.” (The rest is history!)
Q: Wow! You are unstoppable!
A: Thank you. I’m getting so much exposure.
Q: In the past African-American actors have oftentimes been steered toward certain projects and this is mainstream. Congratulations on breaking ground with this film.
A: Thank you. And follow me on social media @austincrute.
Austin Crute works his screen magic. Credit: Francois Duhamel / Annapurna Pictures
WANT TO HEAR HIS MUSIC? WATCH HIS VID HERE:
