For My Cohort

I decided to write two entries for the final posts.  This one is about and for my cohort members.   I would like to give thanks and talk about those people who made me better on so many levels.  Throughout my writings, I’ve avoided using real names.  But they deserve to be known, so I’ll make an exception.  I hope they won’t mind.

 

Keith Traver

Keith is a sweet pea.  He is part boy and part dude.  Affectionate and incredibly supportive.  He goes out of the way to help a friend even when that friend (i.e. Me) is cranky whilst doing battle with the Laundromat.  He’ll bring by coffee and a hug.  He has a willingness to try anything in rehearsal and I admire that.  He is the guy who will catch you when you fall.  He will post the perfect youtube video or meme on your fb wall to brighten your day.   And he makes a mean cherry klafouti.

 

Phil Bartlett

I’ve been so blessed to have had him as a director for numerous projects.  I joke with him by saying that when he becomes a big deal in five years, I’ll ride on his coat tails and he’ll hire me and get me back to the UK.  To which he replies, with his rapier wit,  “Darling. 5 years?  Give me three.”  I believe it.  He has excellent instincts and an eye for quality.  My favorite thing about him though isn’t about theatre.  Phil always has what I call a “song in his heart” that plays and makes him dance.  All the time.  He also, when explaining something, emphasizes important points by doing an arabesque.  I love this.  I’d work with Phil any day.  Because I respect him.  And I trust him.  And he will only get better and better over time.

 

Nick Bayne

He and I may not have always clicked.  But I truly enjoyed working with him on our last project.  He’s a good guy with a good heart and has the best intentions.  He wants so badly to do well and has a great passion for food.  There was a point when he and I butted heads back in January.  I laid into him more than I should have.  He came back the next day, plopped himself down next to me, and apologized flat out.  No excuses, no justifications.  At that moment, I found a new respect for him.  That takes balls.  I’m not an easy person at times and he had enough gumption to take me down a peg through openness and forgiveness.  Nick knows how to forgive.  That’s very special.

 

Michael-Alan Read

Oh, Michael-Alan.  I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone like him.  He’s had one of the biggest years of his life on all levels.  It wasn’t just the fact he was challenged with crazy and intense roles this year, though he met them head on.  He’s changed or rather rewired or maybe just discovered who he’s always been.  It was like he arrived here carrying massive suitcases, each filled with a past demon or anxiety, and throughout the year we’ve watched him hurl them off, one at a time.  He’s sensitive and crass.  He’s hilarious and honest.  He’s forgiving of others and loves loyally.  He’s one of the most beautiful and generous people I know.  And for some reason, he thinks I’m pretty great as well.  I have no filter with him.  I can say things exactly as I think them; A luxury, for me.  I think he may be the only one in this universe that I don’t have to censor a thing.  And that’s because he doesn’t have one either.  It’s like taking a mini holiday for the brain.  MAR (as we call him, often) is someone who’s heart is in the right place and it puts a crack in mine to know that he’ll be staying in the UK and I won’t be able to take him home with me.  But he’s just married his Scottish “bub” and I wish them all the greatest joys together. …and besides, it just means I have somewhere to visit when I come back.  For wherever MAR is, I know a 1980’s power ballad baking extravaganza is waiting.

 

Ashleigh Kasabowski

I will buy her folk album when it comes out.  I envy people who have music inside them that is their very own.  Physically, she’s this little ball of energy.  A wrecking ball of force.  And she has sheer will that propels her to stand up first, give anything a try, and push herself harder, faster, higher.  Ashleigh will do very well.  Because she won’t allow anything else.  Just wait.  You’ll see.

 

Maria McColgan

Maria has one step in fairy land and one step on earth.  There is nothing else in the world that wants to do but theatre.  Whether it is paid/unpaid/indoor/outdoor, it doesn’t matter.  She has an incredible capacity to hope.  She sees the world for its possibilities. If she reads for a part, it will be unlike any other person you’ve heard.  Not just because her voice is pure liquid gold, warm and rich, but because she just works on a different frequency.  I can honestly say there’s no one like her. 

 

Amber Lageman

I feel like I’ve just now begun to get to know this little spark plug.  And I am so sad that I hadn’t made the effort to get to know her sooner.  She’s lovely.  She’s got the this busting at the seams kind of laugh and a gift for reaching for heart wrenching emotion in a scene at a moment’s notice.  She is low drama, loves to dance with a freedom that I only have when no one is watching, and keeps things simple.  I’m thankful she’s one of the few that will be coming back to America with me.  It’s nice to know there’s someone who’s heart is in the right place that will be near me. 

 

Lance Fuller

Man, does anyone get any quirkier?  It’s brilliant.  I never know what he’s going to do or say.  Lance found his footing in the UK quicker than most.  It just felt like he belonged here.  He’d always be out and about experiencing new places, beers, things.  He’s got great taste in sneakers.  And I couldn’t be happier that he has found someone to love and to love him for exactly who he is.  He’s good people. 

 

John [no middle name but that’s ok because my surname is awesome enough] Scougall

John is someone that I wish I knew better.  But I know enough to respect him as a person and as a professional.  He is incredible.  Period.  He’s the person who set the bar for me as an actor.  I may not have worked with him much, but with every performance he gave, I immediately thought, “well shit, I’m going to have to try harder, do better, be better.”  He probably never even knew it and would probably embarrass him if he ever read this.  Because John just does his job.  He’s so good at cutting through the crap. He can network the pants off of anyone, he can carry on a conversation with anyone, and he has an abundance of kindness and humor that is infectious.  He’s good to have around when you need perspective, he has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to centering yourself, and he has sensitivity towards human beings.  I don’t really know how else to describe it.  He can sense when you are struggling and he knows how to cheer you up or help you find clarity.  He has a clear line between personal and professional and knows this is a business but also a playground.  And if you ever get him on one of his naughty days, you know you’re in for a ride.  Yes, he has excellent focus.  But when he gets in one of his delightfully devious moods, you can guarantee that very little will get done, unpredictability will occur, and you won’t mind it one bit.  The best advice John has ever given me was when we were at the Globe.  We were doing some intense exercises and I had just finished one with him that put a heaviness on my mood.  He walked across the room to me (which didn’t take him long since he’s so damn tall), gave me a quick squeeze, and said “shake it off.”  Blunt, no sugar coating, but said with love. And he’s absolutely right.  Do your job, but then shake it off.  You can’t marinate in emotional nonsense.  You go there, use it, then discard it.  Because it’s just a job.  It’s a fun job.  But a job, nonetheless.  I’m going to miss, John.  He has the best laugh. And I believe in his talent and abilities.  He’s one of those people I would recommend for a job without even auditioning him.  And if there’s anything I can do in the future to help him get where he wants to go, consider it done.

 

Lauren Young

Lo Lo.  Boo boo.  Pookie.  Our member of the black delegation (as she puts it).  Lauren is loyal.  I can trust her to follow through.  I don’t think I’ve ever met someone as organized as she.  I’ve been living in her apartment for a few weeks and it’s brilliant that everything is labeled, color coded, and clean.  If you need something, Lo has it.  Probably in triplicate.  As a person, I don’t think people realize how tender hearted she is.  She is generous, boisterous, and loves being part of the whole.  And she does a great booty pop.

 

Sarah MacGillivray

Kind.  Sarah is kind.  She will listen to anything you have to say without judgment or prejudice.  She is never afraid to give you a hug.  And she is beautifully quirky.  I don’t think she realizes just how good she is.  As a person and as an actor.  I loved teaching her ballet.  She’s come to class wearing her orange tutu that I bought her for her birthday and she’d flit around the room with childlike joy.  She reminds me of Phoebe from friends.  She’s one person that I wish I had spent more time with.  But I truly enjoyed being around her and am grateful for her humor and light. 

 

Flora Munro

Oh, Flora.  My little sister.  The ray of sunshine.  I’m not worried about this kid.  She has more natural talent in her baby finger than most people do in their entire body.  And she’s beautiful.  But more than that, she’s effing hilarious.  Her attention span may not always be the longest, but her intentions are always good.  I could sit next to her in a dressing room and just listen to her chat about reality tv stars and youtube videos with animals in them and before you know it, I’ve not had time to be nervous for a show.  Sometimes I take things too seriously, but with Flora, you just cant.  It’s like a mini vacation from myself.  I think she’s got a great career in front of her and I look forward to watching the telly one day and seeing her and be able to say, “I know her.” 

 

Joanna Greaney

Our very own black irish.  The girl’s got soul.  And more patience than a saint.  A bit of a gypsy, I think.  And an endless pool of understanding.  I worked with her very little but she always gave off warmth with a hint of scrappiness. I feel as though there are wells of untouched depth with her.  Just waiting to be tapped.   

 

Kristin Davis

When I think of Kristin, I think of kittens.  I dunno why.  She’s playful and sweet and soft spoken.  An avid runner and sweet tea lover.  She quietly observes and love scrap booking.  She’s a cheerful addition to any outing and is a born teacher.  I never got to work with her which is a shame.  Because I think she allows others the freedom to play and think for themselves which is invaluable to an actor. 

 

Angie Kay

Angie was a birthday fairy.  She made sure everyone had something special on their day which is wonderful when you are so far away from your own family.  She has a delightfully dirty sense of humor.  Right when you think you’ve said something that crosses the socially acceptable line, she’ll come in with a zinger that will top what you said and more.  She makes incredible peanut butter fudge swirl and is always up for a good bit of banter.  Her sense of direction is off as she fully admits that she doesn’t know her left from right.  She has a huge weakness for chocolate.  And this will be her second Masters.  Her first, being in medieval sex.  Yup.  She’s on in a million.  And she’d do anything for a friend. 

 

Levi Morger

Part man, Part boy. Charming and lovely.  Vulnerable and playful.  Generous and has no idea how truly special he is.  When I first met Levi I never believed he would become such a good friend.  He’s highly unpredictable, incredibly caring, and has a way of making you feel appreciated and beautiful just by looking at you.  Even on days when you feel like a hag.  Somewhere near the middle of third semester, I started noticing that when I needed calm, I’d plunk myself down next to Levi.  I would grab his hand or lean against his side like a golden retriever in need of a pat on the head.  And I realized, it was because he brought me comfort.  Just by being there.  He never tries to solve your problems or fix your life.  He never turns around and tells you his life story, comparing his life to yours.  And I don’t need him to.  There’s just something in a Levi-hug that says, “It’s going to be fine. Don’t sweat it.”  Which says a lot to me.  Levi has seen a lot of shit in his life.  He doesn’t walk around wounded, pointing out to everyone his battle scars and bad memories.  He walks around like…I don’t know.  Like Levi.  Like someone who is still finding out who he is, and where he’s going.  But without that frantic manic desperation that so many actors seem to radiate.  Levi saunters.  He has a lovely mix of depth and ease. To be honest, I don’t know many facts about him.  I’m still getting to know how he works and gauging his moods.  But I don’t need to know everything to know that I’d trust him as an actor any day.  He is unpredictable and a bit spontaneous, but when he gives, he gives everything.  Ego never gets in the way.  If a director says he made a choice that sucked, he never clams up or puffs up, instead he nods and says, “uh-huh.” And tries something else immediately.  He’s kinetic and impulsive.  And he pushes me out of my comfort zone which is exactly what I need.  I will miss his hugs, our tea dates, and watching him find his way.  He deserves buckets of happiness and success.  I hope he finds it.

 

Riley Madincea

Always a mystery, this one.  A very talented writer and improv artist.  I loved listening to his podcasts.  Looked forward to what he would say, what Denzel Washington clip he’d use, etc.  He has really great timing and I really hope his work gets picked up for television.  I always admired how he’d submit his work for projects and always have something going on the side.  When so many of us just tried to balance our RCS lives, he juggled three other things at the same time.  That drive is what will get him where he wants to go.  And wherever that is, it will certainly be entertaining.

 

Steven Wallace

You never know what is going to come out of this guy’s mouth.  He started out in stand-up comedy.  Enough said.  And I’ve never known anyone to have retained so much random facts.  He loves pub quizzes, probably because he does so well on them.  From history to media to whatever, he’ll probably know it.  We’ve had some good times, a picnic in the park, drinks at Molly’s, quiz at Campus.  He’s always been very good at including me in things and is unafraid to tell you where he stands.

 

Steven Grawrock

This guy cracks me up.  A born improv clown.  Rarely too serious.  And at the same time, he’s always supported me in any role I’ve had.  Grawrock is the guy who laughs big, and would not be adverse to slapstick comedy.  He has a talent that I will never have; the ability to do comedy where others laugh AT you.  It takes guts and a lack of self-consciousness.  And a great understanding of Play. 

 

Dmitry Ser

He’s a ninja.  An Russian-korean ninja.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen such focus and dedication.  Up at 4am, work out at 5am, commutes from Edinburgh, warms up some more, rehearses, rehearses, rehearses.  Then does the whole thing again the next day.  7 days a week.  In the rare times that he cuts himself a small break and settles down next to you, you can catch his quick humor and it takes you a bit off guard.  He is agile, committed, but has always treated me with the utmost respect.  Someday we’ll have to cash in that rain check we’ve had for sharing that bottle of wine. 

 

Kate Sketchley.

This girl started out as a quiet acquaintance, never making a ruckus and a bit timid.  She has become my best friend here.  My little sister.  My respected colleague.  And someone I could depend on.  She knows my moods and gives me a safe place to unleash whatever pent up emotion I may have.  Because she understands that it does not come from a place of viciousness but from vulnerability and/or pain.  She brings out the silly side that I rarely let out.  She is the sounding board that I trust will tell me when I am out of line or when I have gone overboard. And what’s more, if she tells me I have, then I listen.  She is one of the smartest and most accomplished people I’ve ever met and has an ornate goodness that comes from knowing how to love a friend.  She makes me kinder and keeps me honest.  Which are two attributes that I value above most things.  As an actor, I’ve never seen anyone improve the way she has.  She’s gone from zero to breaking the speedometer.  This is because she has sheer will that most people miss unless they look hard enough at her.  When she wants something, whether it be to break through a role or even just executing the perfect ballet chainee turn, she gets this look in her eye that says “Listen, mother f&*ker, I ain’ stoppin’ till I get this right.  So either help me or get out of my way.”  (Perhaps she’d never phrase it just like that.  She’s far classier than I am. But the sentiment is the same).  She also has this childlike sweetness, the sort that reminds me of when my nephew or niece was two years old or so and they would get so overwhelmed with joy and love for you that they’d hurl their arms around your neck and hug with everything they had.  Kate hugs with her heart and when she loves you, you know it.  She is a gift.  And I will miss having her in my daily life.  But I will be there for her if she ever needs me.  And I know she will do the same.  And I thank her for making me laugh so hard that it hurts, for allowing me to be the person I am and liking me for it, for her encouragement and respect.  You can do anything you want, Kate.  Anything.

 

There were 23 members of our cohort.  I have had good memories with each of them.

No one will truly understand the depth of this year but us because we have lived in each other’s pockets for so long.  We have created this microcosm, this bubble.  And I am more because they were here with me.  To those members of the cohort that have loved and supported me and I you, wherever I am, you have a home with me. 

 

Since drama school is not traditional and we don’t have actual yearbooks and therefore don’t have “senior superlatives” (i.e. most likely to succeed, best smile, etc), I thought I’d make one up for us.  So…

 

Here's the "most likely to be cast in a Shakespearean play as"

(if I were hiring my friends which I hope to be able to do someday)

 

Twelfth Night

Olivia- Ashleigh

Viola-Kate

Sir Toby Belch- Grawrock

Malvolio- Lance

Orsino- Levi

Mariah- Lo

Andrew Agurcheek- Nick

Feste- Michael-Alan

 

Romeo And Juliet

Juliet- Flora

Romeo-Dmitry

Mercutio- John

Tybalt- Riley

Benvolio- Keith

Nurse-Joanna

Lady Capulet- Maria

Capulet- Wallace

 

Titus Andronicus

Lavinia- Angie

 

The Tempest

Miranda- Sarah

 

Hamlet

Ophelia- Amber

 

*all stage directions to be read by one Phil Bartlett J

 

 

 

Thank you all for a great year.  Miss you.