Actor

  • Interview with Stephen Hope

    11-4-14 — Audio Interview

    Actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, stage manager Stephen Hope has brought his talents to more than 30 productions at the Florida Studio Theater in Sarasota FL, and he is doing it again in the current production of Hairspray. All kinds of music was sung and played in Stephen’s home, but it wasn’t until his first role as the cowardly lion in a Jr High School production, that Stephen found what was “right for him. “ Knowing that “people were laughing because of what I was doing – that we were all laughing at the same thing so we weren’t separate, we were one, it was very powerful.” That night Stephen’s Dad said “this is what you should be doing,” and the die was cast. In his 20’s Stephen took a detour; attempting to see if another path was right for him, but he soon realized that while he could do it – his “heart wasn’t there.” So he returned to the theater, to what makes him “happy,” to doing what is “right for him.” Hear him talk about his life and the exciting production of Hairspray. Also hear a rousing song from the show.

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  • Interview with Harry Bryce Part 2

    10-28-2014 Audio Interview

    Poet, Dancer, Choreographer, Actor, Director, Harry Bryce is the former artistic director of Memphis Black Repertory Theater, and creator of the Harry Bryce Dance Company and Choreographer in residence for Vinnette Carroll’s theater co, taught dance and theater at Atlanta’s Morehouse and Spellman colleges Harry says that he came out of the womb dancing. And when you talk to him you can well believe it. Wise beyond his years Harry began writing poetry (although he didn’t know it was poetry) when he was a young boy in order to “stay sane.” He couldn’t take ballet lessons like his older sister because boys simply didn’t do that; but when she came home from her lesson his sister would take him into the back yard and do the lesson again for him. By the time they were ten years old Harry and his sister were a popular dance act appearing at local weddings and events. Listen to this exuberant, reflective man talk about his life and his work – which is currently directing the West Coast Black Theater Troupe’s ground breaking production of the comedy horror rock musical Little Shop of Horrors.

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  • Interview with Harry Bryce Part 1

    10-21-14 Audio Interview

    Poet, Dancer, Choreographer, Actor, Director, Harry Bryce is the former artistic director of Memphis Black Repertory Theater, and creator of the Harry Bryce Dance Company and Choreographer in residence for Vinnette Carroll’s theater co, taught dance and theater at Atlanta’s Morehouse and Spellman colleges Harry says that he came out of the womb dancing. And when you talk to him you can well believe it. Wise beyond his years Harry began writing poetry (although he didn’t know it was poetry) when he was a young boy in order to “stay sane.” He couldn’t take ballet lessons like his older sister because boys simply didn’t do that; but when she came home from her lesson his sister would take him into the back yard and do the lesson again for him. By the time they were ten years old Harry and his sister were a popular dance act appearing at local weddings and events. Listen to this exuberant, reflective man talk about his life and his work – which is currently directing the West Coast Black Theater Troupe’s ground breaking production of the comedy horror rock musical Little Shop of Horrors.

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  • Interview with Lynne Doyle

    9-23-14 – Audio Interview

    In this week’s show I describe the concept of relationship contracts and how they keep people from making the changes in their life that they wish to make. I also interview actor Lynne Doyle. Lynne always loved plays. She vividly remembers going to see a performance of Carousel when she was ten years old, but she didn’t pursue theater in school because she just didn’t feel like one of the “theater kids,” and anyway she was also drawn to, and good, at athletics. Then there was getting married and having children. Her son’s interest in theater got her involved in the Columbus Children’s Theater and when he went off to college she auditioned there (they used adults as well). Listen her describe how her son’s courage to go back for a second audition after not being cast in his first, gave her the courage to try again when she too was not cast at her first audition. Also hear her talk about her role as Amanda in the upcoming production of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie at the Players Theater, which is directed by Elliott Raines and opens on Oct 2nd.

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  • Audio Interview with Erica Drezik

    9-16-14 Audio Interview

    As a young girl actor Erica Drezik, and the friends she coerced, used the garage door as the curtain for their homemade plays. But it wasn’t until she was living in Saudi Arabia, due to her husband’s work, that she got an opportunity to once again gather together interested folks and talk them into “putting on a play.” From then on she took every opportunity to pursue this passion. Currently she is in Mornings At Seven which will open at the Manatee Community Theater in Bradenton FL on Sept 18th. Directed by Pamela Wiley, Mornings at Seven won 4 Tony Awards and 7 Drama Desk Award when it was reproduced in 1980.

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  • Interview with actor and director Jeffrey Kin

    9-9-14– Audio Interview

    Jeffrey Kin is a sextuple threat! He sings, he dances, he acts, he writes, he directs, and he produces with talent, skill and joy. Luckily for us he brings all of this knowledge and skill to his position as the Artistic Director of Sarasota’s community theater – The Players. A farm boy who discovered as a small child that he was a performer, listen to him talk about how he discovered that, and pursued his chosen field with a vengeance. Listen to this charming, dedicated, funny man talk about his life, his work and the recreation of the hilarious, back by popular demand production of Lend Me A Tenor which opens on Sept 10th.

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  • Interview with Scott Wooten

    Sept 2, 2014 Audio Interview

    Actor, stage manager, director, playwright T.Scott Wooten is a very uncommon phenomenon – a working theater professional. Todd Olsen, (previously the Producing Artistic Director at American Stage Theater Co in St. Petersburg Florida, currently Executive Director of the Columbia Festival of the Arts in Maryland) hired Scott right out of college as an intern at American Stage and told him that if he developed multiple skill sets he would always work. Apparently Todd was right. Scott stayed at American Stage “doing everything,” for nine years before going off to ply his trade at other theaters around the country. Currently Scott directs one play a year at American Stage and this year it is The Chosen, a companion piece to My Name is Asher Lev, which he directed last year. Scott believes that theater is about demonstrating our “human dignity,” and that The Chosen is a perfect example.

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  • Interview with Actor and Artist Sara Morsey

    8/12/14 – Audio Interview

    Actor/artist Sara Morsey knew instinctively that the theater was calling her by the time she was six. Fortunately for Sara her parent’s believed in giving their little girl all the things they had been deprived of so Sara had dancing and acting lessons. A shy child, Sara loved these classes where she was able to follow the teacher’s instructions and be transformed first by dance and later by acting. Unfortunately for Sara these same parents never intended/expected their daughter to make a career of these frivolous things. Always obedient Sara became a dental hygienist. But finally with the support of friends and her own personal courage Sara convinced the University of Louisville to admit a dental hygienist with no formal acting training to enter their Master’s in Acting Program. Listen to Sara’s inspiring story and come see the result of her courageous struggle to become herself as she brilliantly co-stars in the Banyan Theater production of Collected Stories.

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  • Audio Interview with Cassandra Small

    7-29-14 Audio Interview

    Cassandra Small can do/has done everything. She has hosted a radio show, appeared in TV commercials and feature films, been a runway model, motivational speaker and member of a musical performance group, as well as an awarding winning actor. And she managed to balance all of this while maintaining a full time straight job and never losing sight of the needs of her family – her husband and 6 children. Remarkably Cassandra’s early life was filled with indecision and self-criticism about her inability to “stick to any one thing.” Listen to this bright, candid, amazing woman describe her journey to discovering the real Cassandra, and hear her tell the hilariously funny story of the way she became an actor. And come see her standout performance as the matriarch Weedy Warren in the Banyan Theater production of The Sty of the Blind Pig.

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  • Interview with Sheldon Rodin

    7-15-14 –  Audio Interview

    By popular demand Sheldon Rodin is reprising his role as the iconic performer Marvin Gaye in the West Coast Black Theater Troupe’s next production, Marvin Gaye – the Man and his Music. Sheldon clearly remembers the very first time he sang in public. He was six years old and singing in front of his church congregation. He sang with his eyes closed, simply concentrating on the song. When he opened his eyes he was surprised to see the reaction of the congregation – they were smiling. Sheldon can still remember the delicious feeling of bringing a smile to the faces of his audience. Today he is still motivated by his desire to use his gift to make people smile. Listen to this thoughtful young man talk about his intention to bring pleasure and joy wherever he can, and to strive always to be better. And come to see Marvin Gaye – the Man and his Music and let Sheldon put a smile on your face.

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  • Interview with George Ball

    July 8th Audio Interview

    When actor, singer George Ball was four or five years old he could hear a song on the radio and immediately sing it. His talent was discovered by everyone who heard him sing. He auditioned for and was accepted into the Trinity Cathedral Boys Choir when he was just six years old, part of the Pittsburgh Opera Company’s chorus after high school and winner of a Metropolitan Opera contest. Over and over he was encouraged to pursue a career in Opera, but it didn’t feel right. Listen to the ironic way that an abortive audition for the Merv Griffin Show lead to a role in Jacques Brel is Alive and living in Paris, and how he learned the two roles which he would play in Jacques Brel, all over the country and much of the world for the next five years. Hear this articulate, self-disclosing man talk about how he evaluated what did and what didn’t appeal to him and how he achieved a career, which although not that of a star, allowed him to do his chosen work, and have a real life. Then listen to a cut from his first CD, Think of Me, which he is launching as he turns 80 years old.

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  • Interview with Susan Greenhill

    July 1, Audio Interview

    Luckily for us Susan Greenhill is back at Florida Studio Theater – this time starring in the one woman production of Becoming Dr. Ruth. If her talent was not enough to guarantee her the role in this unique vehicle, Susan actually met the real Dr. Ruth and performed with her in Dr. Ruth’s TV show. Listen to Susan talk about that experience and other fascinating theatrical experiences. In Kindergarten Susan was drafted to be in the class musicals. She immediately knew that she was “home,” that this was where she belonged. Unfortunately, her parents, concerned about the security of such a career, insisted that she consider acting a hobby and get a real job. So Susan minored in Education in college and began to teach, but it only took a very short time for her to realize that it was not for her and she announced her intention to pursue a career as an actor. Susan is now and has been for many years a working actor, with a lovely life “most of the time.” Listen to this honest and funny woman talk about her struggle, to honor and stay true her commitment to be who she really is.

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  • Interview with Pianist Mike Lang (Part 1)

    6-17-14 Audio Interview Part 1

    Pianist Mike Lang is a professional recording musician who has played with virtually everyone in virtually every genre of music. In this first part of my interview listen to the way his life in music began. Mike’s parents say that he asked to take piano lessons when he was four and a half. Serendipitously his early teachers taught him about a wide variety of music. His first teacher’s favorite pianists were Jose Iturbi and Liberace, so she had him playing written (classical) pieces and also popular music, and she taught him to play chords and begin to improvise. Mike says it was “a magical way to start because it set the tone for me being able to be about more than one thing in music.” Then he studied with the brilliantly eclectic George Tremblay who not only introduced him to a wide variety of musical styles but subjects as diverse as Shakespeare. Mike calls these “auspicious experiences” because they prepared him for a career which would include playing incredibly diverse music. Listen to this charming, thoughtful man talk about his philosophy of being in the present and the impact that philosophy has on his playing, also hear cuts from his only solo album, Days of Wine and Roses – the classic songs of Henry Mancini.

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  • Interview with Antoinette LaVecchia

    6-3-14 Audio Interview

    When actor Antoinette LaVecchia was two years old she ran down the aisle of the TWA flight that was taking her family from their home in Italy to begin their new life in “the states.” Little Antoinette found herself sitting on the laps of strangers and she can still see “the delight on their faces;” the delight that she put there. This memory became a guiding force in her life and today she is still dedicated to delighting audiences. Despite her immigrant parent’s certainty that this was not what their daughter should be doing, Antoinette’s commitment to her destiny was so strong, that it overcame any obstacle in her path. Listen to this charming, passionate, vitally alive woman talk about her work and come to the Asolo Repertory Theatre to see her in I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti to be delighted!

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  • Interview with Don Forston

    5-13-14 – Audio Interview

    Don Forston always knew he would be an actor. As a small boy he made his parents, friends and classmates laugh; and his father told him that one day he would be “a show boy.” At seven years old he donned the costume of Green Eggs in a playground production of Green Eggs and Ham and the die was cast. 50 years later he can boast a career in which he has never gone more than a month without an acting job. It is a remarkable achievement but not surprising when you see and hear him on stage. Listen to Don talk about his commitment to this career which “captured and never let him go,” and about Hero, the beautiful, touching, delightful play by Aaron Thielen which is currently running at the Asolo Repertory Theatre and in which Don says he is playing “the best role he’s ever had.” Also hear snatches of the wonderful score by Michael Mahler.

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  • Interview with Howie Kaye

    5-6-14 – Audio Interview

    Howie Kaye is an actor; plays, musicals, he can do it all. But Howie didn’t choose to be an actor, “it chose him.” An elementary school music teacher suggested that he join the All Cities Boys Choir – Howie did. Then it was suggested that he enroll in the newly forming School for the Creative and Performing Arts, Howie did. Then he and several other boys were brought to audition for a role in the Equity production of Peter Pan – staring the very successful Sandy Duncan. Howie got the role and his equity card. At eleven years old, through apparently no fault of his own, Howie was professional actor. A working actor from then on Howie spent five years in the Broadway Company of Miss Saigon, come see him as the outrageous father of the ingénue in the delightful production of Tom Jones now playing at Florida Studio Theater.

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  • Interview with Harry Bryce – Part 2

    4-29-14 Audio Interview Part 2

    Poet, Dancer, Choreographer, Actor, and Director Harry Bryce says that he came out of the womb dancing. And when you talk to him you can well believe it. Precocious and wise beyond his years Harry began writing poetry (although he didn’t know it was poetry) when he was a young boy in order to “stay sane.” Curious and observant as few are, Harry began to notice everything. It became important to him to be “precise,” so he recognized the variation in the hues of different colors – and wondered about what happened to a seed. He couldn’t take ballet lessons like his older sister because ”boys didn’t do that;” but when she came home from her lesson his sister would take him into the back yard and do the lesson again for him. By the time they were ten years old Harry and his sister were a popular dance act appearing at local weddings and events. Harry went on to have a varied and productive career as the artistic director of Memphis Black Repertory Theater and creator of the Harry Bryce Dance Company, Choreographer in Residence for the prestigious Vinnette Carroll’s theater company and as professor of dance and theater at Atlanta’s Morehouse and Spellman colleges. Currently Harry is directing the Westcoast Black Theater Troupe of Sarasota’s production of Bubbling Brown Sugar. Listen to this charming, delightful and reflective man talk about his career and the importance of helping young people who have been discouraged to find and nurture their particular talents. And come to see his direction of the scintillating Bubbling Brown Sugar.

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  • Interview with Harry Bryce

    Audio Interview April 22, 2014

    Poet, Dancer, Choreographer, Actor, and Director Harry Bryce says that he came out of the womb dancing. And when you talk to him you can well believe it. Precocious and wise beyond his years Harry began writing poetry (although he didn’t know it was poetry) when he was a young boy in order to “stay sane.” Curious and observant as few are, Harry began to notice everything. It became important to him to be “precise,” so he recognized the variation in the hues of different colors – and wondered about what happened to a seed. He couldn’t take ballet lessons like his older sister because ”boys didn’t do that;” but when she came home from her lesson his sister would take him into the back yard and do the lesson again for him. By the time they were ten years old Harry and his sister were a popular dance act appearing at local weddings and events. Harry went on to have a varied and productive career as the artistic director of Memphis Black Repertory Theater and creator of the Harry Bryce Dance Company, Choreographer in Residence for the prestigious Vinnette Carroll’s theater company and as professor of dance and theater at Atlanta’s Morehouse and Spellman colleges. Currently Harry is directing the West Coast Black Theater Troupe of Sarasota’s production of Bubbling Brown Sugar. Listen to this charming, delightful and reflective man talk about his career and the importance of helping young people who have been discouraged to find and nurture their particular talents. And come to see his direction of the scintillating Bubbling Brown Sugar.

     

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  • Interview with Benjamin Williamson

    April 15th Audio Interview

    Benjamin Williamson is an accomplished actor. While still a student at the Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training he has brought his characters to life in the very diverse roles he’s played; last year in The Aliens and this year in Other Desert Cities and currently in 4000 Miles. Although as a boy he was captured by the movie Singing in the Rain, and a desire to be Gene Kelly and/or Donald O’Connor, Benjamin didn’t begin life with a passion to be an actor. He was a “regular kid,” playing sports, making people laugh, and making friends. Then, as a lark, he and his friend’s auditioned for roles as MC’s in a school talent show and Benjamin had the experience of “getting lost” in a character he had created. He has been “chasing the feeling” ever since. Listen to this thoughtful, philosophical man talk about his determination to be flexible, to evolve rather than make arbitrarily decisions and stick rigidly to them. And come see him bring the character of Leo alive in 4000 Miles.

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  • Interview with Actor Doug Jones

    4-1-14 Audio Interview

    Actor Doug Jones began his life in Costa Rica, where his father was stationed. When he was three years old his father was transferred back to the United States, little Doug spoke only Spanish so to help him learn English his parents enrolled him in a little drama class. He did his first play at the age four and says “he was doomed.” Thus began a life in the theater and the creation of a very thoughtful philosophy of what it means to be an actor. Doug has been a pivotal player in the Asolo Repertory Theatre Company for 28 years. Listen to this introspective man talk about his philosophy of acting and different styles of directing. And come see his extraordinary performances in this year’s productions of Philadelphia Here I Come and The Grapes of Wrath.

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