A native of Maryland, I discovered my love for theater because of one movie musical. No, it’s not a Rodgers and Hammerstein, it’s not a Gershwin, it’s not a classic movie musical like Singin’ In The Rain or Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It’s a movie about a plant... a plant that eats people! My love for theater came from the 1986 movie musical Little Shop of Horrors starring Rick Moranis and the incomparable Ellen Greene. Since that moment in my childhood, I knew that one day I would play the part of AUDREY II. But, in order to do so, I had to start doing theater. I was born to voice the carnivorous plant. My first words were “Feed me!” according to my parents. No seriously. Those were my first words!! Scouts Honor! (No, I'm not a boy scout. Never was!)
But those were my first words, not "Mom" or "Dad", but "Feed Me". I must have been a really hungry kid to have come up with that sentence. I wonder if I was wearing green? That would have been the tree's sap! Get it! See what I did there?
But those were my first words, not "Mom" or "Dad", but "Feed Me". I must have been a really hungry kid to have come up with that sentence. I wonder if I was wearing green? That would have been the tree's sap! Get it! See what I did there?
Sitting on the set of "[title of show]". First musical at Frostburg State University.
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Research Symposium Spring 2016, Frostburg State University. "To Kill A Mockingbird" Dramaturgical Research Project.
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Cory Bragg and I in The College of Southern Maryland's Production of "The Clumsy Custard Horror Show".
Okay, enough about my obsession with Little Shop of Horrors, and on to what you really came to read. Me. What makes me, well me. I do theater for several reasons. I do theater because it keeps me active. Doing a musical with lots of choreography is a workout! I do theater because it's oddly satisfying. Satisfying in a way of feeling a sense of accomplishment. Completing a show that is draining, both emotionally and physically, is the most rewarding part of doing theater. I do theater because it’s what I do. Theater is in my mind, body, and soul. When I wake up in the morning there’s a song in my heart and when I go to bed at night there’s a monologue stuck in my head! I could hear a piece of music from a musical and finish the rest of the show myself, sometimes complete with full dance numbers. Now here me out! I can dance, I can move really well, but when it comes to leaps and ballet type moves, I'm a bull in a tutu! But, I'm going to rock that tutu and sell it and give face like its nobody's business!
I am constantly reminded of these lyrics, "No day, but today!" I plan on grabbing life by the horns! I do what I love, and I love what I do. This is my vocation!
I am constantly reminded of these lyrics, "No day, but today!" I plan on grabbing life by the horns! I do what I love, and I love what I do. This is my vocation!
Aimee Grace, Charles Watley, and I performing "Woe Is Me" from "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at Tantallon Community Players.
I have been in the theater community of Southern Maryland for over a decade with Port Tobacco Players, Tantallon Community Players, Hard Bargain Players, Newtowne Players, and The College of Southern Maryland. With Port Tobacco Players, I appeared in Singin' in the Rain, Pajama Game, The Wedding Singer, 1776, Sister Act and several others. With Tantallon Community Players, I appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as JUDAH, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as MITCH MAHONEY, Aida as MEREB, and Into the Woods as THE WOLF and in their production of Dreamgirls as TINY JOE DIXON. At The College of Southern Maryland, I performed in Fences, A Raisin In the Sun, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Love, Sex, And the IRS and many others. I also took part in The Capital Fringe Festival with College of Southern Maryland in the original musical Darfur: The Greatest Show on Earth originating the role of THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES. I had the amazing opportunity to directed Bang, Bang, You're Dead! and The Empty Chair for The College of Southern Maryland for their breakthrough Cause Theater Program exploring the social causes of the surrounding community. With Hard Bargain, I portrayed PRIVATE ANTHONY SMALLS in Charles Fuller's Classic A Soldier's Play. Finally, with Newtowne Players, I was able to fulfill a dream role that made me start doing theater, THE VOICE OF AUDREY II in their production of Little Shop of Horrors.
Audrey II - Pod 4. When this arrived, the production team had me close my eyes and enter the theater space. When I saw this, I screamed and cried. Little Shop of Horrors is literally my favorite musical ever. I would do, and need to do it at least 10 more times! - Little Shop of Horrors, Newtowne Players 2014. Thank you again, Stacy Oosterink for allowing me to just have fun!
A College of Southern Maryland Advertisement Photo.
Kahri Blackman and I during tech for "Father Comes Home from the Wars" at Frostburg State University.
I graduated from The College of Southern Maryland with Associate’s Degrees in Theater & Dance, Arts & Humanities, Arts & Science, and General Studies and was inducted into Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society. After graduation, I transferred to Frostburg State University to pursue my Bachelor's. At Frostburg State University (Go Bobcats!) I graduated Summa Cum Laude as a Dual Theater Major on the Acting Track and Design Technologies Track and received The Theater and Dance Departmental Award. While at Frostburg State University I was in [title of show], The Mousetrap, Coney Island Christmas, James and the Giant Peach, and Father Comes Home From The Wars. Also at Frostburg State University, I became a Sinfonian, joining the prestigious music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Frostburg State University Theater Department, 2016-2017
I think writing a bio is such a tedious task. I never know how much to put in and how much to say about myself. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes down to knowing me. If you want to know more, contact me! I'm an open book and love to chat with people. Let's make a connection and talk more!
Directed this show in 2012
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Directed this show in 2013
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Directed this show 2017
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Thanks for stopping by
Dedicated to Erin Patricia Carr and Robert "Bobby" Edward Balint.
If it weren't for you two, I wouldn't be as motivated as I am today. Because you can't, I will! #DoItForUs |
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Once A Sinfonian,
Always A Sinfonian. Xi Omega Chapter |
My Reasons....
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My Family. They inspire me, motivate me, and empower me. Words can't express how much I love these individuals.
