Roles I have played (on stage)

This was my first experience on stage, in a grade-school operetta. The only things I can remember were a song called "The Miners and the Cowboys Should Be Friends" and that the women of the town changed all the storefronts when the men were away.

Again, this was a school play, in 6th grade, I believe. I went to a Lutheran school, so we did a play about Martin Luther. I played his father in a scene where he announces he's going into the monastery.

This was my first role in high school, and my first in a musical (though I didn't sing). Mr. Brownlow is a gruff but kindly old man who turns out to be Oliver's grandfather.

A very small part. I only had two scenes, plus the big full-cast graveyard scene near the end. This was it for high school, though I was in pit orchestras for Little Mary Sunshine and The Music Man.

In my first college production, I played a man institutionalized because he sees people who aren't there. The highlight of my performance was during the basketball game when I passed the ball to my imaginary friend.

For some reason, I remember almost nothing about my second role in college. It was a period piece, and I remember it had some kind of historical significance. I was a lawyer who spent a lot of time spying around corners. I don't even think I have the script any more, since it was photocopied out of an anthology. If I find it, I'll update the list.

UPDATE: I found my script while packing books last night. The play was London Assurance by Dion Boucicault.

This was definitely my biggest and best role. My co-star in The Tempest (see below) was a senior in the theater department. He directed Sparks as his final project. The play was written by a high school student, and the main character (my role) was also a high school playwright. The plot involved a romance and a friendship constantly interrupted by Barry's quixotic daydreams, which eventually turn on him. But all ends happily.

Ah, Shakespeare! Sure, I was only one of the clowns, but I got to wear tights and speak blank verse, and who doesn't love that! Favorite line: "Monster, I do smell all horse piss, at which my nose is in great indignation."