Hometown: Mahwah, NJ
Education: BA in Theater Arts from Drew University/London Dramatic Academy
Select Credits: My favorite role/production experience is hands down playing Pony in SubUrbia when I was at Drew. I love that play and we had an amazing cast/director.
Why theatre?: Theater is a medium that allows us to see mirrors of ourselves as individuals or a society in an incredibly urgent and honest way, and I love being part of the storytelling process that facilitates that reflection.
Who do you play in The Pillowman?: Katurian Katurian Katurian
Tell us about The Pillowman: The Pillowman is a Brothers Grimm/Kafka-esque dark comedy about a writer in a totalitarian state being interrogated about his short stories and their similarities to a series of local child murders. It's intense and funny and is ulitmately about the purpose of art and storytelling itself. The Pillowman, directed by Matt Okin, will be performing at Black Box Studios in Teaneck, NJ from April 7-17.
What is it like being a part of The Pillowman?: The process has been intense and fairly draining, but ultimately a lot of fun. We have an incredible cast and a director that is very open to each of our own thoughts and input, really allowing us to freely explore this world and the characters in our own way while keeping everyone on the same page.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I really like theater that makes bold and daring choices, that speaks honestly and allows for real reflection and change within ourselves as artists and audiences.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Ken in Red, Matt in Red Light Winter, Doug in Gruesome Playground Injuries, Lee in True West, Jesus or Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar
What’s your favorite show tune?: Not really big on musicals...but I've got this strange love for Jesus Christ Superstar and Miss Saigon. I just think the music is really incredible and they both have really powerful numbers. I was also recently super blown away by Fun Home; I wasn't expecting to be crazy about the music in it but "Telephone Wire" really hit me like a brick, goddamn. I think right now I'd have to go with that one.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Sam Gold, Mark Rylance, Paul Thomas Anderson, Daniel Day-Lewis, Joaquin Phoenix...I could go on and on here.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Probably Ryan Gosling or something. I dont know. I have no idea.
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Everything ever by Annie Baker (but specifically The Aliens), Red, the Philip Seymour Hoffman/John C. Reilly production of True West, A Behanding in Spokane
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Most recently, Fun Home and the revival of Buried Child. Ed Harris is perfect.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Snapchatting toilet selfies (I know you have one, Michael)
What’s up next?: The fourth cycle of Rhapsody Collective, founded by Michael Bradley Block, himself!
