I grew up on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin, a quick jaunt from a village of 137 people. In Boaz, you have your taverns, churches, school-houses-turned-into-regular-houses, ball diamond, lumberyard, bait shop, and all-important gas station to fuel both your car and you.
The majority of my memories of this place, when not on the family farm, are of sleepovers with my best friend, and playing on the equipment in the park, or hitting baseballs and softballs with my brother. A simple place, and arguably people grow up and stay in this town, or the surrounding area. That's not a bad thing, but that's also not what life had in store for me. |
The nearest town, Richland Center, is where I lived from middle school through my first two years of college. Missing the more fanciful urban outfittings, such as massive malls, mini golf courses, and boat tours, this area of Wisconsin is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful. Another simple place, with relatively simple people, but an upbringing I wouldn't change for the world.
It was here that I was first nurtured as a theatre artist, working with three different groups. It was here that family proved to be close, despite being apart. It was here that I got to know myself. |
I first went to college at the University of Wisconsin-Richland, and graduated with an Associate's degree, with a concentration in Theatre Arts. During my time there, I took part in shows with the Theatre Department, and was a board member and artist with Community Player of Southwestern Wisconsin. I also had a hand with the local high school Forensics team, and worked with the Richland County Performing Arts Council. I was able to juggle all of these while working part-time at the local radio station, and as an English and Math Tutor on campus.
After graduation from UW-Richland, I was accepted into the Theatre Arts Department and Program at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. There I focused on text analysis and classic literature, which a special nod to Shakespeare.
While at UW-Richland, I had started out wanting to be an actor, but ended my two years there wanting to also direct. I had also turned to writing plays for entertainment in my off time. When I went to Parkside, I found myself internally fighting over which path to pursue. |
I was enrolled at Parkside as an actor, and had earned my spot in the capped 60 company as a performer. However, my instructors supported my desire to study multiple disciplines within the art form. They agreed that knowing other facets would help serve me, and not hinder me, as an overall theatre practitioner. Of course, this meant I couldn't specialize on any one subject, but that was fine; I wanted a broader experience, not a more singularly-focused one.
I spent three years working within the department and growing as an actor, director, and playwright. By the end of my education, I had received Regional accolades for my work as an actor, had directed full productions, and both staged readings of my original work, and had a full production of one of my one-act plays. Upon graduation, I made myself a promise: I will always be working on something. Whether this would be as an actor, a director, or a playwright didn't matter; it only mattered that I would be continuing my craft in some way.
After working show-to-show through a couple states, I was resolved that I wanted to be a member of a company, working on theatre all day every day. I had a very intensive apprenticeship with Great River Shakespeare Festival that taught me I could be more than OK with living the theatre life day in and day out. With that in mind, I made my to Chicago!
I spent three years working within the department and growing as an actor, director, and playwright. By the end of my education, I had received Regional accolades for my work as an actor, had directed full productions, and both staged readings of my original work, and had a full production of one of my one-act plays. Upon graduation, I made myself a promise: I will always be working on something. Whether this would be as an actor, a director, or a playwright didn't matter; it only mattered that I would be continuing my craft in some way.
After working show-to-show through a couple states, I was resolved that I wanted to be a member of a company, working on theatre all day every day. I had a very intensive apprenticeship with Great River Shakespeare Festival that taught me I could be more than OK with living the theatre life day in and day out. With that in mind, I made my to Chicago!
Since moving in 2014, I have worked with several theatres as an actor, had a couple scripts produced, and worked administratively. And now... I've realized what I like most: being a playwright. While Acting is the cornerstone upon which the rest of my experience rests, and directing is of educational intrigue to me, nothing has beaten the feeling of being asked to produce one of my scripts, reading its reviews, and seeing it live. It was clear that playwriting was my ultimate passion after flying to Edinburgh for the international festival, and getting to see the promotion, reviews, and production of one of my original works, FAMILY VALUES.
With that in mind, I have turned my attention to writing for the stage, while continuing to audition and look for other opportunities to further my connections and my knowledge. I believe, ultimately, I'd be most at home as a resident playwright, or company member, with a theatre. Perhaps as an instructor, or critic. But until things get a bit more concrete, might as well keep getting all the information I can, and all the experiences to match!
With that in mind, I have turned my attention to writing for the stage, while continuing to audition and look for other opportunities to further my connections and my knowledge. I believe, ultimately, I'd be most at home as a resident playwright, or company member, with a theatre. Perhaps as an instructor, or critic. But until things get a bit more concrete, might as well keep getting all the information I can, and all the experiences to match!
Acting
My elementary school out in the country had all students participate in writing, managing, and performing in the Holiday production. It was a highlight for literally every student. On top of this, we always had a couple trips a year to the local high school to see their productions, and meet the cast afterward. This attention to theatre brought me to my first love within the field: acting.
To see the productions that fateful beginning led me to, check out my Production Gallery! |
Directing
When I was in high school, two members of the local community theatre reached out to me on separate occasions, as well as the local college professor, about when I'd finally take up directing. I told them all I would never take up that responsibility.
I was wrong. See my new perspective on directing, and view my résumé, click here, or look over my latest show here. |
PlaywritingPicture it: the living room of a modest house in a small town. The weekend. A boy watching television when Comcast services goes, and electricity is lost. In his hope to make time go by, he begins to write a play. The power comes back up, but he keeps writing.
Several years later, I have a love of Shakespeare, Chekov, Anouilh, Miller, Williams, Lorca, Ruhl, Beckett, Albee, and more. To see where these sources have lead me, look over my short plays or full length works. |
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