The second profile in the Cleveland Performing Arts Examiner ACTOR PROFILE series is Kent State University student, SCOTT GORBACH. This series (in interview form) is in process to “get to know” some of our own northeastern Ohio talent. Profiles will feature equity and non-equity actors, stage and screen actors, as well as young, old and in-between actors. These are your peers and your neighbors - please enjoy!
Full Name: Scott Thomas Gorbach
Age: 22
Years acting: 6
Year in school / School name: Senior B.A. Theater major at Kent State University
Resident city: Akron, Ohio
Age: 22
Years acting: 6
Year in school / School name: Senior B.A. Theater major at Kent State University
Resident city: Akron, Ohio
Kate Miller: What’s your official training?
Scott Gorbach: Certified level 1 Alba Emoting Instructor, Formal training in The Method, Chekov, Laban and Meisner
Scott Gorbach: Certified level 1 Alba Emoting Instructor, Formal training in The Method, Chekov, Laban and Meisner
KM: For those who haven’t heard about Alba Emoting, what is it? How is it applied?
SG: Alba Emoting was developed by neuroscientist Dr. Susana Bloch as a way to controlling emotional states on stage. Alba Emoting identifies six basic emotions that have their own set of bodily responses, which are universal to all humans. By reproducing the breathing, posture, and facial expression, an actor can experience and express genuine, organic emotion at will, without the use of memory or images! It’s the first and only scientifically proven acting technique.
SG: Alba Emoting was developed by neuroscientist Dr. Susana Bloch as a way to controlling emotional states on stage. Alba Emoting identifies six basic emotions that have their own set of bodily responses, which are universal to all humans. By reproducing the breathing, posture, and facial expression, an actor can experience and express genuine, organic emotion at will, without the use of memory or images! It’s the first and only scientifically proven acting technique.
KM: What’s your favorite role ever you’ve ever played?
SG: That’s a tough one! I had a really hard time parting with “Jeff” in Kimberly Akimbo. I miss that little nerdy runt.
SG: That’s a tough one! I had a really hard time parting with “Jeff” in Kimberly Akimbo. I miss that little nerdy runt.
KM: What is your dream role and why?
SG: Hamlet. I love Shakespeare, and every time I read this play I find new things. I have a very over-analyitical mind and tend to analyze most scripts to death. Hamlet, however…. I think I could be locked in a room with nothing but Hamlet for a year and still discover new things each time I read it. I think it’s brilliant and the chance to play Hamlet would be a dream come true. And a LOT of hard work!
SG: Hamlet. I love Shakespeare, and every time I read this play I find new things. I have a very over-analyitical mind and tend to analyze most scripts to death. Hamlet, however…. I think I could be locked in a room with nothing but Hamlet for a year and still discover new things each time I read it. I think it’s brilliant and the chance to play Hamlet would be a dream come true. And a LOT of hard work!
KM: Do you sing?
SG: I LOVE to sing! Everyone around me loves when I sing solo (So Low they can't hear me).
SG: I LOVE to sing! Everyone around me loves when I sing solo (So Low they can't hear me).
KM: Ha.
KM: Do you dance? What’s your training?
SG: I have had a few years of ballet and jazz at the University of Akron, and a year of Jazz at Kent State.
SG: I have had a few years of ballet and jazz at the University of Akron, and a year of Jazz at Kent State.
KM: Have you done TV or movies? If so, how does acting for the screen differ from the stage?
SG: Acting for the camera provides the time for an actor to really feel the emotion and nail the scene because you can have many “takes.” However, the editor and director use what they want, so as an actor you have to be careful not to do anything you wouldn’t want them to use. If you feel that you really nailed the last take, they still have the right to pick the first one where a fly landed on your face. There is nothing in the world like acting on the stage, though. It’s nothing short of magical.
SG: Acting for the camera provides the time for an actor to really feel the emotion and nail the scene because you can have many “takes.” However, the editor and director use what they want, so as an actor you have to be careful not to do anything you wouldn’t want them to use. If you feel that you really nailed the last take, they still have the right to pick the first one where a fly landed on your face. There is nothing in the world like acting on the stage, though. It’s nothing short of magical.
KM: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
SG: A Magician or a Lawyer.
SG: A Magician or a Lawyer.
KM: Why did you start acting?
SG: All of my friends auditioned for the school play in high school. I thought it was stupid, but I got cast and I was bitten by the acting bug!
SG: All of my friends auditioned for the school play in high school. I thought it was stupid, but I got cast and I was bitten by the acting bug!
KM: Any other actors in your family?
SG: No. There is very little artistic influence of any kind in my family, which ignited a lot of passion in me when I discovered theatre.
SG: No. There is very little artistic influence of any kind in my family, which ignited a lot of passion in me when I discovered theatre.
KM: Any particular venues where you work primarily?
SG: I have done a LOT of work at Actors’ Summit, before they moved into their new space this year. I spent the last 2 seasons working for every show at Convergence-Continuum.
SG: I have done a LOT of work at Actors’ Summit, before they moved into their new space this year. I spent the last 2 seasons working for every show at Convergence-Continuum.
KM: Why do you love acting?
SG: I LOVE studying people and finding out what makes them tick. I love using the abilities I have to create an actual, believable, living human being that other people can relate to and learn lessons from. To study a character to the point where you can empathize with them so greatly that you BECOME that person is such an educational, humbling and enlightening experience. It’s the greatest joy on earth.
KM: Who are your favorite actors and actresses?
SG: I am inspired by Mary-Louise Parker. I see everything that she is in. I think her work is pure inspiration- she is so talented and thinks of such daring choices. She also has a mean history of performances that are politically and culturally relevant. She is always sending a message. That woman is changing the world for the better. I still have reoccurring stress dreams about the time I met her- ha ha.
SG: I am inspired by Mary-Louise Parker. I see everything that she is in. I think her work is pure inspiration- she is so talented and thinks of such daring choices. She also has a mean history of performances that are politically and culturally relevant. She is always sending a message. That woman is changing the world for the better. I still have reoccurring stress dreams about the time I met her- ha ha.
KM: What do you do to get through a rough tech week?
SG: Breathe. Keep breathing, and breathe more. If anyone understands the importance of breathing and how much it affects your entire well-being, it’s actors.
SG: Breathe. Keep breathing, and breathe more. If anyone understands the importance of breathing and how much it affects your entire well-being, it’s actors.
KM: How do you prep for an audition?
SG: I do a breathing exercise called the “step-out.” It brings me into the moment and relaxes me.
SG: I do a breathing exercise called the “step-out.” It brings me into the moment and relaxes me.
KM: How do you reward yourself for getting a role you wanted?
SG: I start working on the script! The most rewarding part of theatre is when all the hard work pays off. Landing the role is nice, but it’s not time for rewards until the audience is clapping. It’s not about the actor, it’s about the audience.
SG: I start working on the script! The most rewarding part of theatre is when all the hard work pays off. Landing the role is nice, but it’s not time for rewards until the audience is clapping. It’s not about the actor, it’s about the audience.
KM: What’s the hardest part about acting?
SG: For me, the hardest part of acting is staying in the moment. It’s hard to get out of my head. Sometimes you want to reproduce a moment that you think works really well, but you can’t try to repeat something from another time. You have to be truly invested in the moment.
SG: For me, the hardest part of acting is staying in the moment. It’s hard to get out of my head. Sometimes you want to reproduce a moment that you think works really well, but you can’t try to repeat something from another time. You have to be truly invested in the moment.
KM: Random- do you have any pets?
SG: A Golden Retriver named Lady Madeline (Maddie), and a Cockapoo named Master Winstin (Winstin)
SG: A Golden Retriver named Lady Madeline (Maddie), and a Cockapoo named Master Winstin (Winstin)
KM: You’re a Senior at Kent now, do you have plans to stay in Ohio after graduation? Or explore outside?
SG: When I graduate Kent State University I plan on pursuing my acting career. I love Cleveland and I think we have a nice art scene here, but I'll probably move to New York for a few years. Whenever the pace of the city catches up to me I'll be back to Cleveland to settle down!
SG: When I graduate Kent State University I plan on pursuing my acting career. I love Cleveland and I think we have a nice art scene here, but I'll probably move to New York for a few years. Whenever the pace of the city catches up to me I'll be back to Cleveland to settle down!
KM: Why do you think Cleveland rocks?
SG: Cleveland rocks because we boast a thriving arts scene as well as a beautiful city that is just as busy and beautiful as Boston or Detroit or any of the larger cities, but the people here are polite and friendly and it’s not as costly or ugly as some of those larger cities.
SG: Cleveland rocks because we boast a thriving arts scene as well as a beautiful city that is just as busy and beautiful as Boston or Detroit or any of the larger cities, but the people here are polite and friendly and it’s not as costly or ugly as some of those larger cities.
You can find out more about Scott Gorbach by visiting www.scottgorbach.com. Headshots by Eric Mull. Keep up on future ACTOR PROFILES by SUBSCRIBING to this column at the top – all I need is your email address and I’ll notify you when new articles are published.
###
###
Do you have a Cleveland area performing arts related story or event that would be of interest to our readers? If so, contact KATE MILLER at KateMillerExaminer@yahoo.com with your pitch!
Comments
Scotty seems like he is going to make it to the top and I would root for him all the way! It definately seems like he knows what he is doing and he has the passion to work at it! Great Article!
Thank you for this series! So nice to read about the talent in the community.
I think that Scott, has a good head on his shoulder, and has a plan, most younger people do not have a clue what they want to do endure in their life. I also feel he is itchin to get out of here and go to where the land of opportunity is , NYC, LA, .....though the business seems to be moving toward the midwest, etc, Scott seems to have his eyes on the prize and fell into acting on a whim due to his peers, but the prize is his to covet, so as long as he sticks to it, and keeps dreaming big.
I am not sure that I believe Scott is a certified level 5 Alba Emoting Instructor. His name does not appear on the official list on the Alba Emoting Website. http://www.albaemoting.cl/certified-teachers-and-practitioneers/
I would make sure to inquire with someone on that list before stuying with Scott.
As with any class or learning program, it's beneficial to make sure your teachers are certified and ready for the job.
The article has been corrected - Scott had spoken incorrectly and didn't want to mislead anyone. Many thanks for the update, Scott!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!