Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Education: NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts
Select Credits: An Impending Rupture of the Belly (Clay, Theatre Row); In the Heat of the Night (Sam Wood, 59E59 Theatre); Slaughterhouse-Five (Roland Weary and others, 59E59 Theatre)
Why theater?: Theater allows a kind of creativity that can often times be stifled in other mediums. Being able to connect with a live audience and perform a piece from beginning to end is unique to theater and offers great rewards in addition to great challenges.
Tell us about The Pilo Family Circus: The Pilo Family Circus revolves around the character of Jamie, who, like it or not, is forced to join a circus that exists in another dimension. More specifically, Jamie is forced to become a clown, and he is tormented by clowns who already exist in the circus until he is finally brought in and forced to co-exist with them and the rest of the “performers.” Once he arrives in the circus, he is forced to wear clown make-up, and the magic properties of the make-up turn Jamie into JJ The Clown, who eventually becomes the most mischievous and evil of the clown division. Jamie then has two battles to fight - one between himself and JJ, and one to free himself from the confines of the circus.
What is it like being a part of The Pilo Family Circus?: It’s a phenomenally challenging experience because I am playing two roles in the show, and at times I am playing them simultaneously. So it’s been quite a process finding the nature of two characters in one play, and two characters that offer completely different ends of the human spectrum in terms of behavior.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Forward thinking, out of the box, edgy (but not for the sake of being edgy) theater is what truly inspires me. I’m moved by artists that create theater with the intention of changing the world because it’s what they feel they need to do. I don’t necessarily mean change the world in a political or social way, but I enjoy the kind of theatre that makes me say to myself, “wow, that just changed the way I perceive this medium.”
Any roles you’re dying to play?: If they ever do a staged version of "Nell" they better cast me.
What’s your favorite showtune?: "Send in the Clowns" as performed by Judi Dench. Check out the “Hey Mr. Producer!” performance, it’s one of the best show tunes, or any tunes for that matter, you’ll ever hear.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: In film, I would want to work with Woody Allen. I know, it’s a cliche actor thing to say, but seriously, he’s who inspires me the most. I would work with him in any capacity. Even if it’s carpet laying.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I think a movie about me would be called “Stop Talking,” and I would be played by Daniel Day-Lewis, who would win yet another Oscar. Or I would be played by Freddie Prinze, Jr., who would give an incredible performance as me, but Daniel Day-Lewis would still win the Oscar.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Go see “Peter and the Starcatcher” on right now. I mean like right now. Stop reading this interview and go see “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: For some odd reason I like to watch really bad comedies over and over and over again. No joke, I think I’ve seen "You Don’t Mess With The Zohan" about 20 times. I also love Third Eye Blind.
What’s up next?: Well first I’m gonna get a sandwich, but long-term I am co-writing my first screenplay with two colleagues which I hope to finish up soon, and I want to start writing more. Godlight Theatre Company also has some really interesting things in development right now, which could potentially include a tour, so I think 2013 will be a busy and exciting year.
