Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Tell us about Punk As Fuck: PAF is a show chronicling the trials of four members of a punk/metal/spoken word band. The show is told using various flashbacks and flash forwards to accent each characters' dynamics.
Describe Punk As Fuck in three words: Punk. As. Fuck.
Who do you play in Punk As Fuck: The band’s egotistical leader and guitarist, CAGE (although his real name is Dewayne)
Describe your character in 3 words: Metal. Tormented. Vulnerable.
Which company member is most likely to be in a band?: Russell Sperberg (who plays bassist, Lee) really rocks the bass. He kind of runs things when it comes to music rehearsal because he's the most knowledgeable one. He'd probably be in like five bands, all weird in different in their own sense.
What would the name of you band be?: I just got done re watching the original Mad Max from 1979 and one of the villains' names was Johnny the Boy. I was like "Shit! That's a great band name!" I can see some guy introducing the band Johnny the Boy in some dingy club. I like that.
What would be your punk rock stage name?: Slim.
What is the best thing about being a part of Punk As Fuck?: This is my first show in NYC since I moved here and everyone has been so nice. Everyday Inferno has accepted me and the rest of the cast with open arms so working with the cast and creative team has been a blast.
What is your favorite moment in Punk as Fuck?: I like the way in which the story is told. It's sort of "Pulp Fiction"-esque in that it doesn't follow one line. So it's hard to decide on one moment among them all. There is a scene where CAGE is describing why all bands must have a love song and it's a really sweet moment for him. You don't see CAGE in that light often so it's a very real and tender moment in the show.
Why Punk as Fuck now?: I think with the way that music is being given now is too easy and people expect greatness to just come out of nothing. What I like about PAF is that it shows that if you want to achieve greatness you have to just do the work and at least try. Strap on a guitar or pick up some drumsticks and fucking play. That's how all the best bands were formed. The Beatles, Nirvana, The Who all just wanted to play. And so they did. That's what Punk as Fuck conveys and I think it's something people can and should get behind more often.
Punk or Provocateur?: Punk, motherfucker.
Have you ever performed in rep before? What are the challenges/struggles?: I have not. It's been nice going out after rehearsal with the fellow cast and talking with them about how things are going. We're doing such opposite shows to each other that it's nice hearing about other experiences.
What are you most excited to see in the other play?: I hear there's swordfights and a lot of lovemaking. So if that doesn't make you want to see it then you're not punk. Swordfights and fucking was yesteryears' sex, drugs and rock and roll.
Why should we come see Punks and Provocateurs?: They both have very dedicated people behind both teams and a lot of heart in them. It's going to be a ton of fun.