Interview with Award winning Actor & Producer Pete Dorton

Pete Dorton is an award winning Actor, Writer and Producer based in New York City originally from Ohio. I have performed on stage in various roles, produced films, plays and hosted events. Founder and Artistic Director of YOLO Theatre Company and founder of Big League Theatre Company. I just finished acting in the short films “High Deny” and “Ellie’s Perk”. I was awarded Best Actor for my short film “Lou” at the Chelsea Film Festival 2017. “Lou” also received Best Dramatic Short at the Art is Alive Film Festival. My other short film “Teufel” which I produced and star in, is currently in the festival circuit.

Growing up in a small farm town in Ohio there wasn’t much to do. I lived on a farm and used to wake up at the crack of dawn and do chores before school. After school I would do more chores and homework then finally I was allowed to watch television. This was the greatest thing ever. It was my escape. I loved watching anything that was based in New York City.

Lou #GSFFasburypark #gsff pic.twitter.com/QZC4g1C3xU

— pete dorton (@PeteDorton) February 6, 2018

I decided when I grew up I would move there and make my dreams come true. I took a few acting classes in college and then I had my first audition for an outdoor drama “Blue Jacket” in Xenia, Ohio. I got the part of an army general and got to ride horseback 7 shows a week. I fell in love with it. It was here I met a bunch of professional actors from New York City who convinced me to move there. I took the leap and followed my dreams.

indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Pete: I arrived in New York and started taking all kinds of classes; commercial, improve, technique, on-camera. I decided if I wanted work I should create it. I started a theatre company with my friends Chance Kelly and Chris Prizzi called Big League Theatre Co. We did the play “Boys Life” on Theatre Row. We were so excited we were reviewed by The New York Times.

They tore us apart. Devastated, we disbanded the company. Back to waiting tables and studying. After a couple of years of studying with an amazing teacher Fred Kareman (Neighborhood Playhouse) with a studio in Carnegie Hall. I started another theatre company called YOLO Theatre Company with my friend Elissa Piszel. This time we did it right. We produced great shows and even better parties. Our Oscar parties were huge black tie events that people still talk about today. Things were looking good until I suddenly had a major heart attack. I stopped everything. I took a 12 year hiatus from it all.

I was just existing I had lost my creativity. I knew I had to get back into acting and producing, when I came across a great lady named Jen Rudolph of The Actors Greenroom. I had a consultation with her and she put me back on track. I started taking classes and meeting casting directors again. They also do a monthly short film challenge where actors produce 8 to 10 shorts a month. I decided once again to create my own work. I enlisted my new friends to help me produce my first short “Lou” my own personal story. It’s doing great in the festival circuit. I recently won Best Actor for my performance in “Lou” at the Chelsea International Film Festival. Witnessing all the hard work everyone puts into these films, I discovered I love making films.

indieactivity: What is you filmmaking process?
Pete: I come from a Meisner background but I like to incorporate a lot of other techniques. I find sense memory works really well with me personally. Breath work is very important. I always take a moment with everyone on set before we shoot a scene and just take a few deep breaths. I love the rehearsal process discussing characters and intentions.

indieactivity: What work have you produced?
Pete: I love working with friends. It’s nice to have that comfort level on set. When we finish a film it’s not just done and everyone one goes their separate ways. We get to go to all the festivals together. I love helping eaching other tell our stories. Everyone has a story to tell. I’ve also a few other films I produced currently in festivals “Teufel”, “The Prime”, “Ellie’s Perk”, “Grace Interrupted”.

indieactivity: Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Pete: An actor should always be taking some sort of class. I love to take classes with Casting Directors at The Actor’s Greenroom, the feedback I get on my work really helps. It’s very important to create relationships with Casting Directors as well. I also highly recommend coaching with Jane Dashow, Kaye Tuckerman, Canedy Knowles and Debbie Troche. In my opinion, a great acting teacher in the city right now is Anthony Grasso. I’m also gearing up to start with Larry Moss in the Fall.

indieactivity: How do you combine acting and producing?
Pete: Everyone should create their own work. What a great way to show your range by creating your own characters. Producing gives you the freedom to do that. I love having the control to take time for the actors on my sets. Always keep your crew and actors happy. That is the perfect formula for filmmaking.

indieactivity: How did you get into the film business?
Pete: I jumped into the Short Film Challenge at The Actor’s Greeenroom

indieactivity: How do you create a character?
Pete: I start by meditating, then asking what would I do if I was that person. How would I react? I believe physicality is a big key to getting comfortable in character. I use a lot of sense memory work.

indieactivity: Explain your acting process?
Pete: Relaxation and Listening is my mantra. I believe in rehearsing a lot before. Always bring your own nuances to the character. Whenever I’m producing I always want rehearsal and improv on set. It helps give an honest performance..

indieactivity: What advice would you give to actors?
Pete: Study, study and more studying! Create your own work! Build relationships with Casting Directors!

indieactivity: What do you want to change in the film business?
Pete: I want more Inclusion and Diversity! There are so many different stories that need to be told. Challenge each other to think!

indieactivity: How do you want to be remembered?
Pete: A nice guy who made films that made people stop and think and engage in discussion!