Thanks to the irrepressible Ms. Jones, I have a current visual from my high school's 2007 reunion for the Fred Plecha mentioned in my 'The Moment' post. That's him on the left. And just as an FYI, the gentlemen on the right (Tom Dresing) was a drummer. Heck, he might have even been playing in the pit band for that production of 'Godspell.'Thanks to those who have posted their 'moments' or emailed them to me. I think it's fascinating to hear how people end up where they are, doing what they do.
1 comment:
Hey Dave - first, though I didn't comment on your recent posting about how you got involved in theatre, I greatly enjoyed reading about it.
Without going into much detail, I suppose my own story is less colorful and hard to really define a "moment" for me. Like yourself, I was a jock (played several years of football, but my main sport was wrestling, which I continued up until a first-year neck injury at George Mason U. ended my wrestling days). I had dabbled a bit in theatre in school - class plays, small stuff - but no major productions. When wrestling ended, I transferred my second year to Longwood College and, on a whim, decided along with a new friend to try out for the Longwood Players' first production of the year.
The first Longwood production that year was The Cherry Orchard. I snagged the role of Trofimov. Not a great start for a novice. I had public speaking experience, which did help - but I was stiff and clearly a rookie. But, everyone was nice and there were girls everywhere and I enjoyed performing. It was heaven.
More roles followed in Hamlet, Carousel, The Mousetrap, Barefoot in the Park, Arsenic and Old Lace and others. I learned by doing, and kept working at it, and kept improving. By my senior year I began doing outdoor dramas in the summer (Tecumseh in Ohio, Strike At the Wind in North Carolina), and after graduation work in Richmond, including Theatre IV and others. Life took me in a different direction for several years before I returned. I'm glad I did and it's been a real blessing.
Not a great story, I know. But, it's my basic timeline and I guess the real story is that once theatre gets in your blood, it never really lets go.
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