Member Since: 1996

What has been your favorite role?

I had a blast playing Secretary of State Dean Rusk in “The Kennedys” mini-series, but I think my favorite role was in a stage version of “The Great Gatsby” adapted and directed by David Rotenberg, where I played multiple roles including George Wilson, the devastated husband reeling from the death of his cheating wife. Great cast, great material and a production that changed how I approached acting and directing.

What do you do when you are not performing?

I’m the husband/sous chef to Kristine and a dad/driver to Meredith and Owen. I’m also an Instructor in the Film Production program at Red Deer Polytechnic. I focus on Acting for the Camera and Directing for Film along with advising on 3rd and 4th year practicum film projects. I also coach auditions and run an on camera Pro Actors Lab acting class in Calgary, which I’d like to get back to now that things are opening up again as we continue to manage COVID. I also fit in long walks with Leo, our Labradoodle, when I get the chance.

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

Well, I have a few irons in the fire. I am an “Instructor at large” in Alberta for the Professional Actors Lab based out of Toronto. I prep and coach actors for film based in the Lab’s system of acting in Primary States of Being. I’m a trade union/social justice advocate and have worked with a number of causes including Amnesty International’s Artists Network. When we lived in Toronto, my wife was the ED for The Leacocke Foundation that builds schools in South Africa and runs literacy programs in the GTA which we continue to support. Now that we live in Alberta my wife works for Calgary Learns which helps to fund adult learning programs in Calgary. So, we do our best to support this work now that we’re here.

What Director would you like to work with?

I would kill to be in a David Lynch film. Or a Coen Bros. Project.

What is your favorite movie and/or TV show?

Ugh, I love so many films, but last year’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once” was genius. My wife and I love “Schitt’s Creek”. I just finished watching “Andor” with my son and loved it. I’m a Star Wars fan and Tony Gilroy and his team are just killing it with this series.

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

I wish I had realized that being present as a performer (and as a human being) will always be more compelling than one’s skill. Don’t get me wrong, skill is important, and there are so many things that actors need to focus on in preparing for their “shot” on any given day. But, when it comes down to it, in the moment of performing either onstage or on-camera, it’s one’s ability to be as present and as emotionally available as possible that is really the gig. I think I spent far too much time early in my career focusing on my approach to the business and creating “characters” before I realized that it was more important for me to be present “in relationship” as opposed to being “in character”.