BigdaddyUtah

 This summer is flying by, and I realize I've not really updated my blog in ages.  So, to my four loyal readers, my sincere apologies.  I haven't played supporting roles since grad school, so it was an adjustment at first. In many ways, they are much more difficult to play than leads. For instance, when you play most leading roles, there is plenty of dialogue to let you know who this person is you are playing. There's also a lot more action to give you things to do. But there is a certain amount of freedom that comes with that as well.  As the summer wears on, I am finding some new things about both of my characters.  In Henry VIII, I am playing Sir Thomas Lovell.  I believe I have about seven lines, but I am onstage for the entire show. Also, my character is incredibly high status in the kingdom and his name may be mentioned more than anybody else in the play. He was clearly an important man in the kingdom, and Shakespeare and Fletcher show that with his c...

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 ro...

 I've been at the Utah Shakespeare Festival for two weeks, and it's been a whirlwind.  I was talking to my angel, Tanya Searle, during a break today and we were both amazed that it's been two weeks.  Of course, for me, I've felt like it's the first few days at a new school where everybody knows each other, and nobody knows who I am.  However, those first day jitters have been taken away by the lovely people here.  I've been welcomed with open arms.  Given a seat at the table and been encouraged to be a partner in this process.  By everybody, directors, actors, administrators, designers, choreographers.  It's sort of like dying and going to the heaven I hope exists.  A beautiful Shakespeare festival that is loving, welcoming, and filled with ridiculous talent!! I love the characters I am playing in Much Ado and Henry VIII, and I especially love that I am doing Henry VIII.  My new friend, Topher, who is playing Henry commented on how lucky...