What work have I finished?

I was just thinking the other day, I've had a lot of fun playing a wide range of characters:

A southern mill manager, the union general who burned down that mill, a confederate terrorist, an early 20's baseball pro, a southern racist, a solicitor, a butler, a mechanic, a church attendee, a tailor, a wacko movie fan, an art professor, a psychiatrist, a marriage counselor, a basketball coach, a competitive father, an architect, a reporter, a classical pianist, a bar patron, an art patron, a restaurant patron, a partygoer, a detective (four times), a taxi passenger, a salesman, a doctor, an electrical engineer, a drunk nobleman, an Amish farmer, a patio-building husband, a car salesman, a drug addict, a neighbor, a Danish Conqueror, a sheriff (twice), an angry husband, a fundraiser, a drunken father, a gay trivia player, a fence, a spaceship captain, a wizard, an army commander, a hit man, a washed up detective, a Home Depot associate, a union supporter and Charles Dickens..

I have worked with some awesome actors who aren't famous and any actor worth their salt will recognize that fame isn't necessarily key to true success as an actor.  But I've been on the same set with a growing number of famous actors.  Can't really say I've "worked with" them, but it was kinda cool to watch them work.  Oscar nominees David Strathairn and Angela Bassett.  Rochelle Aytes, Diedrich Bader, Matthew Fox, Rick Fox, Vivica A. Fox, Omar Gooding, Tamyra Gray, January Jones, Toby Keith, Boris Kodjoe, Jennifer Lewis, Anthony Mackie, Kate Mara, Chris Marquette, Matthew McConaughey, Tyler Perry,  Kelly Preston, Ephren Rameriz,  Blair Underwood, Lynn Whitfield, Kimberly Williams.

Twelfth Night.  My first Shakespeare AND less than a mile from my house (outdoors on the back lawn of Roswell's historic Barrington Hall).   I played Sir Andrew Aguecheek, a drunken fool who allowed many fun moments! The cast was a great group of people and we had a lot of fun while freezing!

Revenge of the Nerds.  This remake of the 1984 classic was being filmed in Atlanta.  I was one of a dozen Amish men who come in to save the day and build the Nerds a frat house.  I can finally say I got to actually work with the main stars of the film.  Also got to do major hair and makeup!  It was a blast.  Unfortunately, filming was stopped on this project, so no one will ever see it.

Motives 2.  I played a detective in this straight to DVD film starring Vivica A. Fox. Another extra part, but still fun.

24-Hour Plays.  An annual event where writers start at 11 pm on Saturday, actors get the scripts at 11 am on Sunday, and we go on stage at 8 pm Sunday.  One of the most difficult things I have ever done, but after it was over, a great sense of accomplishment.

Hour Glass.  I played Hayden Caulwell (classical pianist in a War of the Roses type battle with his wife, who ultimately kills him) in local, award-winning playwright David-Matthew Barnes' Hour Glass.  This was a one-act play that was part of a short play festival of Barnes' plays.  Departures, which included my play and eight one-acts.  The shows were Thursday, August 10 and Saturday, August 12.  Arrivals was seven one-acts and shows were Friday, August 11 and Sunday, August 13.  For more, go to http://www.davidmatthewbarnes.com/nowplaying.htm

We Are Marshall.  In June and July I did some extra work on this feature film being shot in Atlanta and starring Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, David Strathairn and Kimberly Williams.  I don't know that this qualifies as acting, but it was a lot of fun.  I was a reporter on the sidelines during football games.

The Elephant. I just finished working as one of the leads in this independent short film.  I was a father/husband who deals with the impacts of domestic terrorism after his daughter is killed in the bombing of their local courthouse.  I got to work with my good friend Kimberly Jurgen, who was also my wife in the St. Angelos Pizza commercial. 

BellSouth.  I was selected for a second year in a row for a photoshoot for BellSouth for their inhouse and direct marketing work.

The Dining Room.  In May I made my directoral debut with A.R. Gurney's play that looks at slices of life through the window of a dining room - the gathering place for many families.  This was a challenging production as it involves 6 actors portraying 57 characters through 18 scenes but I had some incredible actors who did an amazing job to put together a great show! 

Grey Matter.  An amusing short film about an Indian cab driver and the crazy things he sees.  I played one of his passengers.

Settling Sophia. A story of adultery, lies and race.  Written and directed by award-winning Atlanta playwright and poet Cheryl Floyd-Miller, this was an intense story that made you think - the goal of any good story.  I played the husband of the lead character and had to deal with issues of race hitting too close to home.

Acting Boot Camp.  An amazing experience for working actors.  Led by Richard Todd Aguayo, this weekly class works cold reads, improv, scenes, monologues and other approaches to improving acting skills.  Richard's focus is truth and I have experienced incredible growth working with Richard and the others in class.  We have truly become a family and support network.  The next round of classes begins March 27 and 28. .  Click here to go to the ABC website.

The Closet.  A daring choice?  The Closet was a new drama series on the new Q Network.  The show focuses on the lives of several gay men.  I play a straight character who is a rich, Republican commercial developer and architect.  I was in one episode that aired nationwide.  I was supposed to be in 15 episodes but the shows creators and the Q Network didn't seen eye to eye and the show didn't continue.  Click here to go to the show's website.

St. Angelo's Pizza Commercial.  A locally-owned pizza shop in Vinings has a great delivery business - and great food (we all got to have some).  This commercial focuses on their delivery business and I play a wacky father who tries to beat the pizza delivery man during a trip to and from the video store.  Shot by Krimson-Noiro Productions, it is running on cable all over Atlanta.  If you want to see it, click here to go to the KNP website.

Sketchworks Comedy Troupe.  I took a sketch comedy writing course over the summer with Jen Kelley of Sketchworks.  One of my sketches created in that class was performed at a Sketchworks showcase on Oct 3, 2005.  Ironically, I had to miss the show because of filming for another project.

M*A*S*H - A blast of a show at OnStage Atlanta. I played Capt. Duke Forrest, who is Hawkeye's sidekick.  Duke didn't make it into the TV show and was a smaller character in the movie (played by Tom Skerritt).  In this version, Duke has fun throughout the whole show.  I worked with a tremendous cast and director Scott Rousseau created a fast-paced show with many amazing technical aspects.

Life 101: Angel's Secret- A made-for-cable movie coming to Comcast cable soon and likely a school near you.  A hard-hitting story that kids need to hear.  I play a basketball coach who tries to counsel one of the main characters..

Proud, Mary - a direct-to-DVD movie about a woman who goes for fame and pays the price.  I play a psychiatrist in a mental hospital who is treating the main character.

Strange Tales of Matrimony - A short film that was part of the 2005 48 Hour Film project.  I played a marriage counselor to superheroes.

My Imaginary Friend - A film that will hopefully be released soon.  I play an art professor who mentors the star, and of course falls for her.

Return of the Jackalope - A hilarious mockumentary.  I was just an extra in several scenes filmed at a local movie theater, but this is a very funny film.

Medea's Family Reunion - A major motion picture follow-up to Diary of A Mad Black Woman.  Tyler Perry wrote, directed and stars as Medea.  I played a tailor in the bridal store and if this scene makes it through, you will see me on the big screen!

The Gospel - A major motion picture opening October 7, 2005 featuring Atlanta's own Tamyra Gray.  I just played an extra in several scenes but it was a lot of fun. 

Segway Promotional Video - The in-store promo video for 2005-06.  I rode the Segway all over Atlanta and northeast Georgia. 

Something to Hide - I played the loveable old mechanic Will Purdie.  This was a great production at OffOff Peachtree Theatre.  Thanks to Elisabeth, Hollis and the rest of the cast for a true blast!

Ten Little Indians - I played butler Mr. Rogers who seemed to be drinking every chance he got.  This Cobb Playhouse & Studio production was a lot of fun.  Thanks to Kimberly Jurgen and a great cast.

A Christmas Carol - I played a Solicitor in my favorite all-time story at Kudzu Playhouse.  I made a whole bunch of new friends in this large, large cast.  Thanks to Wally, Jeannie and everybody for a truly wonderful experience in December and since!

Whisper of the River, The Official Roswell History Play - I played a number of characters in Roswell's specially commissioned play about our history.  This was my first acting experience and was such a great time that it made me catch the bug!  I learned so much from an incredibly talented cast!

BellSouth 2005 and 2006 - I spent a few days on photoshoots for BellSouth's internal, website and commercial print stock photos.