I started my acting career at age 4, when during a VBS production I decided to improv my way on to my family’s “Greatest Life’s Moments” DVD. It was clear that I loved humor and finding a way to make people laugh as often as possible. In 2009, I submitted a video to a national REI contest and won 3rd place. In 2012, after moving to Georgetown, Texas, I was cast in multiple musicals at the Georgetown Palace Theatre, including Annie Get your Gun, Will Rogers’ Follies and Miracle on 34th Street. I was the lead character “Jim Hawkins” in Treasure Island, and the ZACH Theater in Austin cast me as “Flick” for their Christmas show, “A Christmas Story”. During this time, I was also cast in multiple University of Texas student films and the TV pilot spec “Professor Isle’s Laboratory”. I am a lead cast member and sketch writer for “Keepin’ It Weird”, a youth comedy troupe in Austin producing online episodes. In June of 2014, I completed filming “Billy and the Bandit”, playing the lead role of “Billy”. This family show has stars including James Drury, Gary Clarke and Roberta Shore, from “The Virginian”, Buck Taylor, from Gunsmoke, and Donny Boaz, My All American.
Did you study acting
I have worked with a number of teachers, but some of my best learning has occurred in the actual productions, watching other actors and crew at work.
What acting technique do you use
I use multiple acting technique to achieve a great performance. My methods just depend on the scene to know which methods to use.
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
A lot of people think it’s really easy and you don’t have to do much work, but actually it is very difficult and takes a lot of time and effort. Some actors have difficulty transitioning to different acting styles(for example theater vs film acting). Some seem to think the same style works across all genres, but that is not the case.
Do you take courses to improve your craft
I do take courses every year, and try to take workshops from a wide variety of people, as each teacher has something unique to offer.
What acting books do you read
Reading about acting is not so much my style as learning in person.
How do you keep fit as an actor
All the memorization keeps my mind really sharp, as does improv work. Mixed Martial Arts keeps me physically fit, but also works on muscle memory and choreography.
When you’re offered a role, what do you do next
Usually I read the script once and think about the role and the overall plot. Then I study each scene more intensely just before it is shot.
How do you take a character in a script to a honest, believable and breathing person
I use my imagination to visualize the character’s everyday life. I also find similarities between myself and the character.
How do you stay fresh on set
It’s tough. Somehow I manage to do it by keeping in character, even in between takes. With longer breaks, I find that sometimes it helps to go out of character-it may allow the character to develop further in your subconscious without actively focusing on it.
Describe a memorable character you played
The most memorable character I played was probably Billy from the pilot “Billy and the Bandit”(2015). Billy loses his father and is paralyzed himself in a motorcycle accident and must use a wheelchair (photo attached).
Explain one creative choice you took on set
Because of my age, directors sometimes rely on me for material that only people my age might know about, such as what is popular in my age group. During one pilot, for example, the line was, “Britney Spears…British…asparagus??
What do you want most from a director
A kind, understanding personality that will not overwork cast and crew.
What actors do you long to work with
Johnny Depp
Why
He can play a variety of cool roles and seems like a nice guy.
Briefly write about your career
I have been a lead in the short film titled ‘No Candy Andy’, and was a supporting actor in both ‘Sussie’, and ‘The Pyramids’. I have also worked in television on three productions; I was lead voice actor in ‘Billy and the Bandit’, I featured in ‘Professor Isle’s Laboratory’ and was also lead voice actor in ‘Keepin’ It Weird’.
My work in theatre are ‘Gypsy’ as Arnold the newsboy at Southwestern University; ‘A Christmas Story’ as Flick at ZACH Theatre, Austin Texas; and ‘Inherit the Wind’, as Will Roger, Jr. at Palace Theatre, Georgetown, Texas.
I trained at the Visual and Performing Arts Academy, Jonesboro, AR. Also took Acting and Improve classes (theatre) at Arts Avenue, Georgetown; Sam Bass Theatre and Theatrikids and Round Rock; Palace Theatre, Georgetown. I took Acting and Improv classes in film with TCI Talants, Stephen Bridgewater, Brock-Allen, Donise Hardy, Sarah Dowling, and Jaine Gallagher.
