My career began in the theatre, where I have worked for most of my life, primarily as an actor, but also as a director, acting coach, play polisher, and acting teacher.
The best artists are really good observers, watchers of life and humanity. I consider myself a student of life. I have observed a great deal in my half of a century on the planet. As an artist, I do everything I can to let my observations and experiences colour and inform my work.
With that in mind, I’m very pumped about my next theatre project, which will be The MT Space production of “The Last Fifteen Seconds”. Check out their website. For anyone who has not seen the work of Majdi Bou-Matar, the artistic director and director of this project, you need to see this work. For me personally, the creation process will be challenging and stimulating, as Majdi creates his theatre from the body and voice of the actor first, and then text is brought in where it helps to tell the story.
On the heels of that production, I will begin rehearsals for “Fiddler on the Roof”, which I will be directing at Redeemer University College in Ancaster. The play will run February 5 -7, 2009. I have been trying to work out a time to direct at Redeemer for a number of years, and now it is finally going to happen.
And then beginning in December, I will be directing K-W Youth Theatre’s production of “The Tempest”, with a cast ranging from ages 13-19. I am thrilled to be working on this, my second production as a director of a Shakespeare. I directed my first in 2007, “Twelfth Night”, at the University of Waterloo. I’d love to participate in a Shakespeare (as actor or director) once a year, if I could.
I have now participated in eight film projects, my most recent having been filmed in Toronto in March of 2008. The title is “The Factory”, and the subject matter is tough, to say the least. The story centers around a woman who kidnaps young girls and has her “studs” impregnate them, so she can sell their babies. I told you it was tough. I play a man whose wife is desperate to adopt, but he has a bit of a past, and in the end he decides to “kidnap” one of the babies. I’m not sure in terms of its release, etc. but I’ll post an update if I get more information. The film is around 30 to 35 minutes long, I believe.
In January of 2007, I filmed a 15-minute short in Cambridge, called “Tweed Dobbs”, in very wet and cold weather. The film centers around a character I play, called Jack. He’s a homeless man, whose one prize possession is his hat. He loses it, and in the end miraculously has it returned to him. Jack is Chaplinesque and playing him was an absolute delight. The film was written and directed by Stephen Crosby.
Having had a chance to sit and watch the piece, I am very happy with the outcome. Stephen often relied on my experience as an actor to guide how certain scenes were filmed. I was happy with my input, and finally, with my performance. A special bonus is the sound score, which was performed and created by Stephen’s brother, James, as he sat and watched the film.
My first feature film, “Sleeping Dogs“, had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival September of 2006, and played at the Princess Cinema in Waterloo, in February of ‘07. Stay tuned to my site for news of its DVD release.
For many years, I played leading roles at Theatre & Company, as a member of the acting core of the ensemble. I have listed some of my favourite roles later on in my bio. After the ensemble members left Theatre & Company en masse, I became a founding member of Lost & Found Theatre, and I’m very proud of the work that we have accomplished!
In March of 2007, we produced the world premiere of “Falling: A Wake”, Gary Kirkham’s most recent play. The production enjoyed a very successful run, with many postproduction discussions!
“Twelfth Night” followed in May! I had played, but never directed, Shakespeare. What a privilege and an honour! Andrew Lakin played Malvolio, and Kathleen Sheehy was Sir Toby! The rest of the cast was rounded out with graduating students from the university, most of whom I taught over the years, 2004-07. Special mentions go to Michael Albert, who played The Fool, and to Michelle Jedzrewski, who played Viola. Also to Brad Cook, who turned the buffoonish role of Sir Andrew, into a piece of very nice ensemble work. Well done, All!!
Check out the Lost and Found Theatre website about our upcoming productions.
For the Lost & Found collective, I have produced several productions, directed Cotton Patch Gospel, and I have acted in Radio Leacock, A Lost & Found Christmas (’05 and ’06), Falling: A Wake, Some Assembly Required, and A Tinker’s Wedding.
From 2004-07, I taught intermediate and advanced acting classes at the University of Waterloo. I continue to teach a combined grade 10/11 drama class at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, where I will also be directing this year’s senior (grades 11/12) drama: title is TBA. In 08-09, we’ll also be starting a drama club, to create some new pieces and work on an established one, as well.
I have directed and/or acted in over 100 different theatre projects in my lifetime. Some of my favourite roles include: Albert in Einstein's Gift, C.S. Lewis in Shadowlands, Henry II in The Lion in Winter, Donald Jackson in Three in the Back, Two in the Head, Moliere in Mr. Moliere's French Scenes, Pete in Fish Tales, Toby/Showman in The Chimes, Caliban in The Tempest, Eugene in Look Homeward, Angel, and Vanya in Uncle Vanya. Some of my favourite shows as director include: Cotton Patch Gospel, Bordertown Café, The Case of the Curious Cabaret, Beau Jest, Problem Child, and Strawberries in January. I have appeared in a few television docudramas, including Forensic Factor, and Zero Hour: The Massacre at Columbine High.
I am richly blessed with my amazing wife, Dawn and my three children Joseph (20), Olivia (17) and Abigail (9). These four very unique and gifted people, have sustained me, and encouraged me, all along the way. I couldn’t do it without you!
