Darren Criss Interview, University of Michigan - January, 2007

Michigan student Jake Serwer sits down with college classmate Darren Criss back in January, 2007 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Darren was Jake's first musical guest on WOLV-TV, the student operated cable show.

[@camellane33]

Darren's being humble. He got into the musical theatre program at the University of Michigan which is prestigious.. 700 to 800 people apply each year and only 22 to 24 are accepted after audition. You must excel in acting, singing, & dancing to be accepted.

[@MarquisdeSade820]

They get more applications than that now. The entering class for 2014 has 21 freshmen, one of whom is Lourdes Ciccone, Madonna's daughter. The other BFA programs in the School of Music, Theatre, & Dance at Michigan are extremely selective as well and have very small classes. There was an article published in the Washington Post regarding how to become a Broadway star, and it listed the University of Michigan & Carnegie Mellon University as the top 2 college theatre programs that are producing the most Broadway stars. It's just another reason that the theatre program at Michigan is considered prestigious.

[@McrBlackRed]

I hate to be this person, but he actually was in college for music and theater, but not musical theater. It wasn't really until Starkid that he mashed the two together.

[@Llou9589]

7 years later here's my reply.... He was in the theatre & drama department (acting), not musical theatre. Although, I vaguely remember him saying in one of his interviews that there were only like 18 people in his freshman class so it's still incredibly selective. Plus, he took a lot of classes and earned more credits than he needed... I guess he really likes keeping himself busy

[@shayewillmans5437]

haha his hair is so short compared to 2009 when he did a very potter musical and a very potter sequel

[@hufflepuffwannabe]

Today, I was driving around Haight-Ashbury and I saw a teenage boy sitting under a tree with his guitar and I couldn't help but smile.

[@DarbzE]

The Muse is still my favorite song he's ever written. I went to his concert and I love his new stuff, but the muse is just great songwriting and a really cool sound. I hope there's an actual recording of it someday.

[@dodosan8]

I am SO happy I found this video, because I always thought Darren wouldn't be that attractive without his curls, but now I can totally scream to the world he's ALWAYS supermegafoxyawesomehot!!!

[@michelehaber61]

Now Emmy winner , so talented 🏆🏆👍🎼Looking forward to all u do @darrrencriss😍💞👍

[@Abbiekat629]

I think Darren could shave his head and I would still think he was SuperMegaFoxyAwesomeHot.

[@imanolovesyouu]

i can't believe it...four years later he's been on broadway and a regular on one of the biggest tv shows in the country...

[@tric430]

You don't know how much I appreciate this. THANK YOU SO MUCH. Totally awesome man!!!

[@LilikoiLuv]

We've only seen Darren's performance of "The Muse" prior to this. Now we finally get to see the interview that preceded it! Thanks for sharing this gem!

[@rachel237linda]

Brilliant :D Thanks for uploading!!!

[@emilye5191]

he’s always been so well-spoken

[@Emmythefish]

I love how he's still the same adorable, humble, rambly guy today :)

[@rohinirenee]

KZbin just sends me to every DC video.. not that I mind. He looked adorable and hot AF at the same time.. my heart ❤ 💓 ♥

[@1ThreeDaysGrace]

Oh my gosh I found them! You're right!

[@frottguy]

Darren Criss interviews are always fun to watch. You also get to learn stuff. :D

[@scenemonster101]

When I first saw him on this video I was like O.o

[@Cindy-luvjpfe]

OMG! except for the hair he looks the same and I think I've watched the Muse video you posted about a hundred plus times it's one of my fave songs of his. Thank you for posting this, what an awesome clip to post now that he's become famous, smart move to keep this hiden till now.

[@mcdancer2013]

OMG the hair! ok now that that is out of my system I just love watching him in interviews. Even then we just had a way with words. He's good at getting out what he wants to say.

[@lindsaythecat]

it's cute that he still wears that t-shirt!

[@Gleefan918]

HES SO YOUNG AND ADORABLE!

[@crazytaye]

this is so crazy, this is like the very first interview done. the oldest interview in recording of darren criss.

[@nacho_girl]

Being born January 2007 is amazing ya know

[@watchwolvtv]

@Kuei74 He says "Sha and Alton can attest to". There were two other musicians on the show that day: Sha Beamon and Alton James. They were on set as Darren mentioned them...

[@lost686girl]

OH HELL YES

[@WantMeLikeThat]

oh jeeze hes so adorbss

[@TennantTardis]

I totally want to hear these 70+ songs, INCLUDING the silly/rude ones. I need this, so bad.

[@absolution12321]

awwwwww he's so young and cute!!!!!!

[@HairConfetti]

I WANT TO HEAR THOSE SONGS DARREN.

[@xoMrsWentzxo]

omg I've thought on more than one account that Darren does remind me of John Mayor but I like Darren so much more.

[@georgiatheninja]

he's come so far!!! *cries*

[@LexiEast]

I would LOVE to hear Darren play the violin

[@isfinnokay8752]

HIS ACCENT AWE BABY DARREN

[@germandarling123]

That's the same T-shirt he wore when he went hiking with Harry Shum and Dianna Agron! Omg, I'm such a creep.....

[@melovedisney1492]

He seems so much more "bro-ish" here than nowadays. Very nor-cal chill.

[@littletoolate]

Oh my god I am a huge John Mayer fan (and huge Darren fan) and I always suspected that Darren was one too!!! The "one more question" line in 'I Still Think', the "lips are made of candy" line in 'Don't You', he covered 'Free Fallin' like John did..... yeah xD

[@howzatstew]

He plays the violin? how can he be so perfect?!?

[@beccstarr12]

UR HAIR UR HAIR UR HAIR IS AMAZING

[@Stellabilbo]

Naaaaaw, baby Darren!

[@ooshadygirloo]

still the same ol' Darren. :D

[@Kuei74]

@watchwolvtv thanks!

[@friendsfans123]

DARREN HAIR LOOKS AWESOME SHORT :3

[@RobynSkevington]

I was 8, in grade 3, in January 2007 :|

[@AmericanGirl7212]

When they said expose him I dont think they realised that one day he would be on a hit TV show, on Broadway, ir singing for the President

[@c0llapsingst4rs]

Um stop this hes so cute and smol

[@meg19han]

you're hair is so small

[@Sheabutter33]

Ha. "Do you do theater?" You have no idea.

[@karina5186]

I wonder why they only put it up now

[@megliz16]

aww how cute..they're 'exposing him' :)

[@1ThreeDaysGrace]

Whoa, where are those pictures? Yeah...im a creep too...

[@AbbyGBSD]

physical moving things ;) oh darren

[@superfangirl7]

Look at him. So cute. So little. Where's his hair. Just...aaawwwwwww.

[@WantMeLikeThat]

haha glad to help.

[@hana848]

WHERE ARE THE CURLS!!! NOOOOO x

[@InstinctiveLoveKoori]

Theatre major and Musicology minor...wonder if he was subconsciously/premonition-preparing for Glee...lol....utilizes both aspects, definitely ^^

[@ameygirl323]

pssh! Darren lied! he majored in awesome and fun! hahaha he looks soo... young! I just love how he's still the same adorkable, rambly, humble person ! :D

[@Belx2]

@missjacobblack1208 Uhmm... Musicology is the scholarly study of music.In the narrow sense, musicology is confined to the music history of Western culture. In the intermediate sense, it includes all relevant cultures and a range of musical forms, styles, genres and traditions. In the broad sense, it includes all musically relevant disciplines and all manifestations of music in all cultures. So, yeah... It could be a subject.

[@LoolaCrushesYou]

omg. I just realized that sometimes it looks like his eyes were blue O.o just watch the part from 2:31 to 2:36. Am I the only one who can see it ?

[@klim1004]

He's so much more lively now in interviews. Seems kinda shy in this one. Weird. :)

[@gabryska89]

:) so now I know something 'bout the most uncanny of his songs ;)

[@Starkidpotterful]

wheres is fro? :O

[@WantMeLikeThat]

i think if you look up pics from Harry Shums birthday (they went ziplining and thats where those photos are from) you will find them (im a major creep)

[@TheStalkerNinja]

0 dislikes THANKS HER- wait WHOOHOOOOO

[@amiddendorf23]

the violin? :D

[@jannicole]

Can I hear those songs Darren? Hahaha

[@ButterFingers7924]

@jnrmluver Chris Colfer! :D

[@crmmb]

I hear absolutely no John Mayor in Darren's music. He pretty much talked his way around the fact that he doesn't either.

[@DannyLovah]

glad to know he's always been sexy :))

[@Kuei74]

what does Darren says at 2:41?

[@RockGirlz123]

i live to wear long sleeve shirts over short sleeve shirts over long sleeve shirts ..... had to say that :P

[@srt42893]

he is my age in this video (20) lol

[@taurie55]

how do you know?

[@srt42893]

Taurie March because I did the math. He was born in 1987 and this was in 2007. 2007-1987 is 20 and when I posted that comment I was 20. I was born in 1993. I'm 21 now.

[@e.padgett9355]

+srt42893 he's 19 here. He's birthday isn't until February.

[@srt42893]

+E. Padgett oops, honest error.

[@e.padgett9355]

Nah, it's cool. Sorry I didn't mean to sound malicious, just thought you'd like to know

[@Its_Jewels]

Hahaha Darrens hand at 2:14-2:17

[@nksw1]

DAMMIT DARREN YOU MADE ME LOSE AT SNAKE.

[@ButterFingers7924]

@DannyLovah Oh God that was... God :D (And) Apparently not... :D And then Chris started rolling around the floor like Draco :D Because he was so shocked and started fanning himself :) And it was like so amazing 'cause Chris was properly SHOCKED! :D *excited face* If you watch it Darren tells him to stand up and Chris is like "What?! This isn't in the script... " Naya (Santana) and Darren are apparently good friends and they planned it... Heather was pretty shocked too. :)

[@summermissmoo]

At least RIB didn't make him cut his hair THIS short for glee. CurlyHobbitHair

[@SuperGGXOXO]

I don't like his hair.. It's nice to know he hasn't changed though and he's still very grounded.

[@DannyLovah]

@ButterFingers7924 I just spazzed like i spazzed when they kissed in Original Song. DId Chris know about it?

[@NickelPickel369]

His hair is shorter than it is for Glee... WAAAAH??

[@AwkwardSims]

Only Darren could say musicianship and make it sound intelligent :D

[@Belx2]

@missjacobblack1208 Oh my god. I wasn't trying to make you look bad. Don't feel that way. Gosh. I wasn't trying to put you down.

[@weeboman]

That's the t-shirt he wore as Toby Philips! I need to get a life

[@julieracca8779]

i really don't understand people saying he's gay. :p

[@macharmza]

@LoolaCrushesYou Sorta

[@ButterFingers7924]

Little did he know he would be kissing a very lucky young man in front of a live audience in Dublin 4 years later... *sigh* :)

[@audreybrooks]

@saucypedanticwench ahaha i thought that was hilarious too

[@littletoolate]

@treehugger625 Really?? You're awesome then!! xD

[@rachel237linda]

Might these silly songs include "The Menstrual Minstrel"??? :')

[@Acoontey]

His hair almost looks straight instead of curly O.O...that's not a good thing D:

[@starkidpollard]

OH MY GOD, DARREN, PUT YOUR FACE AWAY

[@eppiejo05]

he kinda sounds high... lol

[@supercowtotherecue]

doesn`t he look butcher in these?

[@littlecat0908]

Darren please, never ever ever go back to that hair again. Free the curls :D

[@asyarihahaha]

PSSHHH! DARREN LIES! HE MAJORS IN SUPERMEGAFOXYAWESOMEHOTNESS! AND RUINING LIVES!