MAJOR/MINOR WHILE AT AMBROSE
Theatre Major/ Philosophy Minor
POST GRADUATE TRAINING/SCHOOLING/DEGREES
None
FAVORITE SAU MEMORY
I have so many great memories from my experience at Ambrose. I would have to say one of my favorite memories was directing Play It Again, Sam in my final semester of college. It was extremely gratifying to work collaboratively with all of my mentors, utilize the entirety of my education in theatre, and work with actors that were the future "rock stars" of the Ambrose Theatre Department. In retrospect, it felt that my Ambrose experience, into which I had invested so much time and effort, had led up to directing that play and facing the challenges that accompanied it. It really made me appreciate my education.
WHAT I MISS MOST ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
I miss the value of intellect, interpretation, and insight. Doc Johnson, Eitrheim, and Kennedy all had his/her own way of challenging us to think bigger and be better as students of the theatre. As Ambrose theatre students, we were always encouraged to "dig in and chew on" every aspect of each undertaking. In addition, I was so lucky to be surrounded by intelligent and talented classmates that were constantly raising the bar for each other.
CURRENT INVOLVEMENT IN THEATER
I did have a theater company in Los Angeles for a while and acted in a few films and commercials. Actually, fellow alum Matt Speak '95 was also part of that LA theater company. However, most of my stage time mostly involves music these days. Music and theatre are both things that I have always loved. I have found over the years that they complement each other quite well. I'm constantly referencing my education in nearly every facet of live performance, studio work, and even visual design.
WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES ME
The most inspiring people to me are creative and self-starting people. I'm always impressed with someone who has their own ideas and the confidence and drive to follow through with those ideas. It is inspiring to see people sink their everything into something and when it doesn't work out, shift gears and continue to move forward.
BIGGEST POST SAU GRADUATION SURPRISE
Not everyone shares the same love and respect for our craft as Ambrose theatre students do. In my experience, it is rare that I have run into actors that share the genuine passion that my classmates and fellow alums have had for the stage. Guess I was just naive and spoiled to think that everyone felt the same way as we did...or maybe I'm just being a little pretentious?
ADVICE FOR CURRENT SAU THEATRE STUDENTS
Be true to thine self...Always. Take ALL advice cautiously. Change on your own accord not others. If you are going to embark on a career in the performing arts, you are not going to be living "the normal life" or "what everyone else thinks you should be doing." "Everyone else" may or may not include family, friends and peers. The sooner that you can realize that "normal" for you may not be what "everyone else thinks you should be doing," the sooner you can get out of your own way and do what brings joy to your life.
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