Then the justice, in fair round belly with good capon lined.





Who am I? This seems to be the single question at the heart of why I blog.  Sure, I use the shows that I am in to investigate the human condition.  And there is no greater guide to that journey than Shakespeare.  But I don't seem to be getting closer to any answers.  I've now been on this globe circling the sun for 57 years and I find myself simultaneously feeling the same as I did when I was a dumb kid, and also terribly old and severely broken.  But I celebrated my birthday this year like I usually do, in rehearsal with wonderful people.

It's been a long time since I played supporting roles in Shakespeare's canon.  When I first started to act professionally, that's all I did.  I went from role to role as guards, servants, and soldiers.  I once promised that I would write a book called Shakespeare's Army on how best to serve the play with few lines of dialogue.  Although I never wrote that book, I find myself once again playing supporting roles:  A lord, and an old gentleman.  I'm approaching it somewhat differently than I did when I was a young man.  I wanted to make the most of my moments back then, but I think that didn't really serve the play as much as it served my ego and desire to be noticed.  While I still have an ego, now I want to be another color on the canvas of the play which seamlessly blends into to whole.  Playing leading roles most of my adult life, I appreciate those actors who have supported me and the play as a whole.  Those actors who were always present, never checked out, had a clear point of view and full inner life.  That's what I'm trying to bring to these roles.  An actor playing a supporting role can't make the play successful, but they can hurt it. A chain only being as strong as its weakest link and all.  

As for being noticed, my hope is that my work ethic, professionalism, and being good in the room is appreciated and gets me more work.  I have now aged into the Justice Age of man, and the roles will likely be more of this kind of thing as I keep pushing on.  I guess these blogs are becoming my wise saws and modern instances in playing my part.  

But there are still some great roles out there for me, and I will rise to them when I get the chance.

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