25 August 2009
19 August 2009
18 August 2009
10 August 2009
A New Year...A New Decade Ahead...And Some New Plans...
It has been awhile since I have had the opportunity to sit down and really write a decent blog and for that I apologize, first to myself and second to any of you who have been feeling left out in reading about what I've been up to here.For those of you who don't know I turned 30 on August 1st. It was definitely an eventful week leading up to my birthday as both my parents flew in to visit me for my birthday and before I could even get them to the hotel for their first night together in town, the rear differential on my Jeep Grand Cherokee caught fire with all three of us inside...should you care to know more about that incident feel free to read about it over on my mother's blog...just keep in mind her telling is a little bit more dramatic than what actually occurred but it gives you a pretty good idea of what took place that night.
Since my car was out of commission after that (and is still to this day) mom and dad had to rent a car for the reminder of their time here. I had to work on my birthday and so did everyone I know here in town so after work that day I celebrated at home with my parents and a few co-workers by having a 30-minute, 30th Birthday Bash...the cake you see above was made by one of my co-workers and probably the best friend I have in Virginia, Amaree pictured here with Portia.
And let me tell you this was in all probability one of the greatest cakes I have ever tasted in my life. It was a two layer chocolate with chocolate chips cake with this chocolate fudge frosting...it literally had the consistency of Christmas Fudge...no lie. Amaree was afraid that it wouldn't turn out since it was her first time making a cake like this, but as my buddy Canada would say it was: "GREAT SUCCESS!"
I will admit I have been a little frustrated this week not having my own source of transportation...Williamsburg is not exactly pedestrian friendly outside of the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area. I suppose at this point a bicycle will be a wise investment for me and I have be searching Craig's List pretty regularly in search of the perfect road bike, although as far as grocery shopping and transporting Portia goes I am not so sure a bike is going to cut it. Here's to keeping my fingers crossed that the auto shop can fix my Jeep on the cheap!
I must also admit that I was not looking forward to turning 30 this year, nor was I looking forward to starting a new decade in life...the thing that for some reason bothered me the most was not being able to check the box 24-29 on applications or the visitor card at church...I must now check the box that just says 30. HOWEVER, I will admit now that my birthday has come and gone with very little fanfare and not as much drama as I had anticipated up until my birthday I will admit 30 isn't so bad. I have even taken the time to set a few short term goals for myself...I am not going to go into all of them at this point but I will share one that all of you can help to hold me accountable on:
As of tonight, I have applied to become a Professional Plus Member of the National Association of Interpreters where I will join the Cultural Interpretation and Living History Section of NAI. My goal is to become a certified NAI interpreter by August 1st, 2010. This is a huge step for me towards taking myself and my career as a Living History Professional seriously.Some will say that joining NAI isn't necessary to what I do or to my career, however, if I wish to advance in my field this organization is one that will give me the tools to advance. Also, many sites that hire Living History Professionals either require NAI certification or highly desire it as part of the application process.
So as I begin this new decade of life in my 30's I look forward to the new adventures I shall take starting with this step to take my career and myself a little more seriously.
06 August 2009
My Life In The Theatre (thus far) Quiz...
1) What was the first play you ever did? 1st Grade, Missoula Children’s Theatre came to Enterprise, Oregon where I was cast as one of the appleseeds in JOHNNY APPLESEED. I got to be the main appleseed who had a confrontation with Johnny. 
As an appleseed in JOHNNY APPLESEED
2) What was your most recent show? What job/role? Currently I work as an Actor/Interpreter for Colonial Williamsburg’s Revolutionary City where I portray James Innes, John Beckley, and Edmund Randolph.
As Major James Innes
As John Beckley
As Edmund Randolph with Amaree Cluff as Elizabeth Betsy Nicholas
However, my last stage play I portrayed Norman Dewars in THE NORMAN CONQUESTS. As Norman Dewars
As Norman Dewars, The Norman Conquests
3) What was your favorite show/role?
LOVE LETTERS by AR GURNEY where I played Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. This was my senior project in high school where I co-directed, co-starred, and co-designed this show with my cast mate and crew. We broke all of Mr. Gurney’s rules regarding his show and had a blast doing it.
As Andrew Makepeace Ladd III with my co-star Melissa Wilde (Smith) as Melissa Gardner
4) What was your most challenging show/role?
This is a tie for me: Man from THE TURN OF THE SCREW or Blake Eaton from HOLE IN THE SKY.
5) What is the most bizarre show or role you've ever done?
I would have to say Revolutionary City at Colonial Williamsburg is the most bizarre show I have ever been a part of.
6) Has anyone ever written a show for you?
Not for me, however, I have been told on a couple of occasions that I have inspired composite characters in several shows.
7) Have you ever quit a show to accept a better one?
Nope.
8) Have you ever completely blown character on stage?
I have to say yes cause I am sure I have…but honestly I can’t remember specifically when.
9) What show(s) are you just dying to do?
BILOXI BLUES, CELEBRITY ROW, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
10) Have you ever done one of your "dream" shows?
MACBETH (as Banquo and Macbeth understudy)
As Banquo in Macbeth
11) Who was/were your favorite director(s)?
John Remington, the man who inspired my career and Craig McIntosh who has always been there to advise and guide me to become better. And I wish I could have been directed in a show by my professor Loren Reynolds he is one of the best I’ve seen and yet to work with.
12) Who was your least favorite director?
There are a couple that come to mind and they know who they are.
13) What is the most surprising role you have ever been offered?
Lt. Yolland in TRANSLATIONS by Brian Friel
14) Have you ever injured yourself onstage or offstage?
Nothing serious…but have suffered wounds in combat yes.
15) What show(s) have you done multiple times?
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Fyedka round one. Constable round two.)
TAMING OF THE SHREW (Gremio round one. Grumio round two.)
THE SPOILERS (Roy Glennister both times)
16) Have you ever had an onstage kiss?
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Fyedka)
SCAPINO! (Leonardo)
MACBETH (Macbeth: the understudy show)
TRANSLATIONS (Lt. Yolland)
MOVE OVER MRS. MARKHAM (Henry Lodge)
LEND ME A TENOR (Tito Morelli)
17) What was your scariest moment in a show?
SCAPINO! The 2nd story railing I was holding onto broke away from the set and I almost fell on top a spear being pointed at me by one of the other actors onstage while I fell/scrambled down the set.
18) What is your best show memory?
My senior year of high school I was a part of the best theatre program in Oregon. My friend Melissa Wilde (now Smith) and I won the state acting competition for the Duo Serious Experienced category with our selection from LOVE LETTERS…I will always remember us being the last two standing on the stage at the end of the day and getting the opportunity to perform right there in front of all the theatre programs represented at state that year. Also, Melissa and I were a part of CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD that was selected as one of the best shows in Oregon that same year. We got the opportunity to travel to Eugene and compete at the state level. Both that cast and Melissa and I were selected to showcase at the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska. Melissa and I finished in the Top 4 that year and we all had several amazing road trips that year…memories that I will always treasure.
19) What is your worst show memory? Fred Phelps and his so-called church the Westboro Baptists putting out a fax and fliers claiming I and my fellow cast mates of THE LARAMIE PROJECT were on our way to hell to join Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood for being a part of that show.
20) What is your saddest show memory?
HOLE IN THE SKY…the entire show is about the second tower that fell on 9/11. We played composite characters that were based on the people who worked and died in that tower. The show all takes place in the time it took for the tower to fall after impact. This tower was the one where no one survived above the impact. This was a very sad and yet very rewarding show. I received an American College Theatre Festival/Kennedy Center National Selection Committee Award for Excellence in Acting for my portrayal of Blake Eaton, the dead man on the desk.
21) Do you have any theatrical superstitions?
I did until I actual did the play Macbeth more commonly referred to as the “Scottish Play” for those who have yet to perform in it.
As Stanley in Brighton Beach Memoirs
As The Constable in Fiddler on the Roof (2nd time)
As Grumio in Taming of the Shrew (2nd time)
As Grumio in Taming of the Shrew (2nd time)
As John McAdams portraying Stephen Mead Johnson, Unitarian minister in The Laramie Project
As Jim Stools in Nice People Dancing To Good Country Music
As Jesus Costazuela in The Odd Couple Female Version
As a French Soldier in the Scarlet Pimpernel
As Dr. Curtis Franklin in Children of A Lesser God
As Roy Glennister in The Spoilers with my co-stars Shannon O'Rourke (McClellan), Lacey Sievers (Lichi), and Andrea Harris
As an appleseed in JOHNNY APPLESEED2) What was your most recent show? What job/role? Currently I work as an Actor/Interpreter for Colonial Williamsburg’s Revolutionary City where I portray James Innes, John Beckley, and Edmund Randolph.
As Major James Innes
As John Beckley
As Edmund Randolph with Amaree Cluff as Elizabeth Betsy NicholasHowever, my last stage play I portrayed Norman Dewars in THE NORMAN CONQUESTS. As Norman Dewars
As Norman Dewars, The Norman Conquests3) What was your favorite show/role?
LOVE LETTERS by AR GURNEY where I played Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. This was my senior project in high school where I co-directed, co-starred, and co-designed this show with my cast mate and crew. We broke all of Mr. Gurney’s rules regarding his show and had a blast doing it.
As Andrew Makepeace Ladd III with my co-star Melissa Wilde (Smith) as Melissa Gardner 4) What was your most challenging show/role?
This is a tie for me: Man from THE TURN OF THE SCREW or Blake Eaton from HOLE IN THE SKY.
5) What is the most bizarre show or role you've ever done?
I would have to say Revolutionary City at Colonial Williamsburg is the most bizarre show I have ever been a part of.
6) Has anyone ever written a show for you?
Not for me, however, I have been told on a couple of occasions that I have inspired composite characters in several shows.
7) Have you ever quit a show to accept a better one?
Nope.
8) Have you ever completely blown character on stage?
I have to say yes cause I am sure I have…but honestly I can’t remember specifically when.
9) What show(s) are you just dying to do?
BILOXI BLUES, CELEBRITY ROW, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
10) Have you ever done one of your "dream" shows?
MACBETH (as Banquo and Macbeth understudy)
As Banquo in Macbeth11) Who was/were your favorite director(s)?
John Remington, the man who inspired my career and Craig McIntosh who has always been there to advise and guide me to become better. And I wish I could have been directed in a show by my professor Loren Reynolds he is one of the best I’ve seen and yet to work with.
12) Who was your least favorite director?
There are a couple that come to mind and they know who they are.
13) What is the most surprising role you have ever been offered?
Lt. Yolland in TRANSLATIONS by Brian Friel
14) Have you ever injured yourself onstage or offstage?
Nothing serious…but have suffered wounds in combat yes.
15) What show(s) have you done multiple times?
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Fyedka round one. Constable round two.)
TAMING OF THE SHREW (Gremio round one. Grumio round two.)
THE SPOILERS (Roy Glennister both times)
16) Have you ever had an onstage kiss?
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Fyedka)
SCAPINO! (Leonardo)
MACBETH (Macbeth: the understudy show)
TRANSLATIONS (Lt. Yolland)
MOVE OVER MRS. MARKHAM (Henry Lodge)
LEND ME A TENOR (Tito Morelli)
17) What was your scariest moment in a show?
SCAPINO! The 2nd story railing I was holding onto broke away from the set and I almost fell on top a spear being pointed at me by one of the other actors onstage while I fell/scrambled down the set.
18) What is your best show memory?
My senior year of high school I was a part of the best theatre program in Oregon. My friend Melissa Wilde (now Smith) and I won the state acting competition for the Duo Serious Experienced category with our selection from LOVE LETTERS…I will always remember us being the last two standing on the stage at the end of the day and getting the opportunity to perform right there in front of all the theatre programs represented at state that year. Also, Melissa and I were a part of CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD that was selected as one of the best shows in Oregon that same year. We got the opportunity to travel to Eugene and compete at the state level. Both that cast and Melissa and I were selected to showcase at the International Thespian Festival at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska. Melissa and I finished in the Top 4 that year and we all had several amazing road trips that year…memories that I will always treasure.
19) What is your worst show memory? Fred Phelps and his so-called church the Westboro Baptists putting out a fax and fliers claiming I and my fellow cast mates of THE LARAMIE PROJECT were on our way to hell to join Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood for being a part of that show.
20) What is your saddest show memory?
HOLE IN THE SKY…the entire show is about the second tower that fell on 9/11. We played composite characters that were based on the people who worked and died in that tower. The show all takes place in the time it took for the tower to fall after impact. This tower was the one where no one survived above the impact. This was a very sad and yet very rewarding show. I received an American College Theatre Festival/Kennedy Center National Selection Committee Award for Excellence in Acting for my portrayal of Blake Eaton, the dead man on the desk.
21) Do you have any theatrical superstitions?
I did until I actual did the play Macbeth more commonly referred to as the “Scottish Play” for those who have yet to perform in it.
As Stanley in Brighton Beach Memoirs
As The Constable in Fiddler on the Roof (2nd time)
As Grumio in Taming of the Shrew (2nd time)
As Grumio in Taming of the Shrew (2nd time)
As John McAdams portraying Stephen Mead Johnson, Unitarian minister in The Laramie Project
As Jim Stools in Nice People Dancing To Good Country Music
As Jesus Costazuela in The Odd Couple Female Version 
As a French Soldier in the Scarlet Pimpernel 
As Dr. Curtis Franklin in Children of A Lesser God
As Roy Glennister in The Spoilers with my co-stars Shannon O'Rourke (McClellan), Lacey Sievers (Lichi), and Andrea Harris
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