Member Since: 2013

What has been your favorite role?

As a character actor I have had the privilege to work with Spencer Estabrooks on several of his independent films over the past 10+ years (we joke I’m his Bruce Campbell to his Sam Raimi). All Fun roles with Great Monologues, including Sharkasaurus, The Ballad of Sharkasaurus and the Sharkasaurus Graphic Novel (my image is in a comic book!!). But my favorite was Jack the Bounty Hunter from Dead Walkers (2009) – a Zombie Western where I die then return to dispense justice in the Old West.

What do you do when you are not performing?

I ‘m pretty much a performer 24/7, but the thing I am most passionate about is my 28 years as a Santa Claus. I have had the opportunity to work with many great causes including Toy Angels with the Salvation Army and 95.9 FM (15 years) gathering new unwrapped toys for Children in Need. This role allows me to bring smiles, hope, compassion, and hugs to help spread Christmas magic to the young and old. When a parent comes up to me and says, “You made me believe again” I know I have done my job or as my fellow Santa’s say – “Our Calling.”

What organization / activity are you involved with or passionate about that people would find interesting?

For 16 years I have been working for the University of Calgary – Cummings School of Medicine as a Standardized Patient. I work with Medical Students, helping them to hone their skills from everything from learning to perform a liver exam to learning how to conduct a patient interview and communicate better. After the session I offer constructive feedback on how ‘The Patient/Character’ FELT about the conversation, not what I thought. The aim is to create a better bedside manner from the onset. As a bonus, I get to work with a lot of fellow ACTRA members.

What Director would you like to work with?

Liking the brave and the quirky – Taika Waititi is one of the directors I would love to work with. His Film and TV work encompasses those traits as well as bringing a sense of fresh and inventive style. Sam Raimi, Guy Ritchie, M. Night Shyamalan, and David Lynch are on the list as well.

What is your favorite movie and/or TV show?

I have favorites in different genres but my all time favorite, the one that affected and fueled my love for film the most is Fritz Lang’s 1927 masterpiece Metropolis. It was a film decade’s ahead of its time, from vision to special effects to social commentary. Terry Gilliam’s Brazil was the next to transport me to an alternate world once again full of imagery and vision. There are a lot of TV shows that resonate with me, but Denis Leary’s Rescue Me – a look at fire firefighters in New York, post 911, was a beautiful blend of humor and pathos, dealing with PTSD, ghosts from the past (literally) and finding the humor to carry on. On the other hand, Survivor has been a guilty pleasure since its beginning.

As a Performer, what is one thing you wish you would have known sooner?

It was something that Jacki Lind said at one of her casting workshops. “Before you enter an audition, most actors say they are nervous. You’re NOT nervous, you’re Excited! Excited to share what you have been working on. Nervous is negative, excited is positive.”

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