My Journey with Acting Through School and Beyond

The acting bug hit me big time during my sophomore year of high school. Ever since then, I have been involved in numerous school plays, summer acting workshops, and even a summer stock gig as a spear carrier.

From my first play in kindergarten, where I got to play Santa Claus, to my most recent role in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, acting has always been a significant part of my life. I carried on performing in plays throughout high school and even into college, where I participated in a dozen or so productions. In grad school, although I had only a few roles, they were worked on intensively, and my master’s thesis production was a one-man show of my own translation of the first act of Peter Handke's Kaspar.

Passion fueled my love for acting, but trying to make it as a professional actor after graduation led me to turn to other career paths. However, I would not have missed the experience for anything.

From Palm Tree to Wise Man and Beyond

My acting journey in school began with minor roles, like a palm tree in a play. I worked my way up to more significant and speaking parts, such as a wise man in a Christmas play. During this performance, I accidentally knocked down a big wooden palm tree that landed flat on the stage. The sound made everyone on stage jump, and I felt extremely embarrassed. My dad's words provided comfort and perspective: "RJ, don't worry about it. Everyone will remember the wise man with the tall hat, purple robe, and black and white sneakers."

As I moved on to speaking parts, I took on various roles. I was a Scottish Mariner, wearing a kilt made of my older sister Lori's Scottish plaid skirt, and a villain in The Valiant Villain. In Chicken Every Sunday, I played a preacher and tripped on my long robe hem when making my entrance. Each role brought its own unique challenges and experiences that I cherised.

A Passion Over the Years

The sense of nervousness, the memorization of lines, the practice of being on stage, and the applause at the end kept me hooked. My parents and older sisters Lori and Tracy always supported me by coming to my plays. From playing the lead parts to smaller roles, every part filled me with joy and a deep sense of accomplishment.

Recent Role: Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet"

The most recent play I was in was Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I auditioned for the title role and got the part. It was exciting, but being in the same play as my friend who auditions with me for Juliet made us both happy as we both got to play our parts.

Acting has been a constant part of my life, from my first kindergarden play to my recent roles. It's more than just a hobby; it's a journey of growth, learning, and personal expression. Though I didn't pursue it as a career, the experiences and skills I gained along the way have been invaluable.