Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Education: Two years towards a BFA at Youngstown State and about 25 years of performing and producing passion projects
Favorite Credits:ANGST:84 by Toni K. Thayer (Traverse, 2001 NYC Fringe), MIC by Brenton Lengel (2011 NYC Fringe)
Why theater?: I enjoy the high stakes of live performance. The film work I’ve been on was fun, but mostly I remember waiting around all day. I love the rehearsal process and every single play I’ve worked on has resulted friendships that stand the test of time.
Tell us about An Evening of Not-So-Quiet Despair with Satan: It’s the most necessarily offensive show I’ve ever worked on. Satan has been honing his craft and developing his perspective at open mic and burlesque shows for years now. He’s won the war of souls by default since we’re doing a pretty good job filling up Hell with out much intervention on his part. Victory has left him afflicted by a deep malaise, and venting his views on stage has become a very effective form of therapy for him.
What inspired you to direct An Evening of Not-So-Quiet Despair with Satan?: I’ve been friends with Satan for about six years now after meeting at the UNDER St. Mark’s open mic. We grew closer once I started producing a variety show and invited Satan to become a part of the show. When he told me he was selected for the FRIGID Fest, I immediately offered to direct his show (insisted may be a better word). I’ve always loved the fearlessness he’s brought to the stage, and didn’t want to miss an opportunity to shape a show built around such a powerful and misunderstood character. Not that he’s playing character, have no doubts, this show literally stars Satan.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: When actors make me forget they’re acting. I really don’t like most of the theater I see because I’m a huge fan of naturalism and see it so rarely on stage. I don’t want to see actors be overly emotive, I want to see them be real people. Nothing has been more inspiring to me as an artist as the open mic community of New York. Since diving into the scene in 2009, the comics, musicians, and actors I’ve met have propelled me into new forms of creative expression that I never tried before. At any open mic in this city, you’re going to see the Good, the Bad, and the Crazy, and each is inspiring in their own way.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Music: Tom Petty. Cinema: Terry Gilliam. Comedy: Doug Stanhope.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: It Ain’t Going To Be Normal by Henry Vega and Artem Yatsunov, which is also in the FRIGID Festival. I’ve known Henry for about a year now and he’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met with some of the most powerful stories I’ve ever heard. I also love that it will be a different show every night.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?:"Jack of all Trades” starring James McAvoy. I’ve gotten some weird “you look like’s” throughout my life, but he’s the most flattering in terms of looks and talent.
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: I’ve never seen Steven Sondheim’s Assassins, which is tied with Lil’ Shop of Horrors for my favorite musical of all time. I heard the original cast’s CD in high school and was blown away at the music, the subject matter, and the acting.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Falling into Internet reading holes. Sometimes I’ll spend an entire just hopping from link to link consuming random information. I am deeply addicted to Cracked.com
If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: Dead inside?
What’s up next?: Getting back to developing music with my wife. I’ve been so focused on other peoples' projects for the last few months that I’m itching to get back to my own stuff.