His is a face that is fairly new to the Denver Theatre scene, but it is definitely one that you should be watching. I remember that I first saw John Riggs as Gaston in Performance Now's Beauty and The Beast. I have to say that I thought he was fantastic. His comedic timing and strong voice were perfect for the hulky villian. Now, he takes on the role of Robert in Company. I, for one, will be there! A great show, a great actor, and a great voice. Sounds like it will be a great time.

Q. What is your favorite theatre to visit as a patron and why?
A. As a patron I really enjoy the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.  The Theatre is such a beautiful space and there is hardly a bad seat in the house.  As an entertainer, I really enjoy performing at Lakewood Cultural Center.  It is also a great space and the staff there is so welcoming and helpful.  
 
Q. What type of shows do you enjoy watching?
A. I am a sucker for musical theatre.  I began singing at a very early age and really wish life were more like a musical.  Music makes people happy and that is one thing we could use more of right now.  I teach Middle School Math and often break into song while teaching.  Can you think of a better way to get kids excited about fractions?
 
Q. What makes a “good” show?, What makes a “bad” show?
A. A good show makes people feel.  The range of feelings are endless, but once you have an audience member feeling, you can often get them to act.  Their actions may change their thinking, or how they treat others, or even how they live their lives.  A bad show allows to leave the theatre and wonder what they will eat for dinner the next day.  I guess they might be feeling something then too, hunger.  
 
Q. How long have you been in theatre and what got you started?
A. Although I was involved in theatre on a limited basis in high school, I consider my life in the theatre to have begun when I was 19.  I had a friend who wanted to audition for Grease at a local community theatre house in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  She didn't want to go alone.  She begged me for over two weeks until I agreed to audition for the show as well.  Although I had sung since I was five years old, I had never auditioned for a musical.  I was terrified.  We auditioned on a Saturday and were both called back on Sunday.  It was obvious on Sunday that most of the people at the callback had worked on stage together.  My friend and I were outcasts.  We  both did our best reading from the script and taking direction from the director.  Other than my mother, I hadn't had someone tell me what to do in such a dir ect wa y.  The next day, I received a call from the director and was offerred the part of Danny Zuko, my friend was sent back to her own high school.   
   

Riggs as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast

Q. How can we get more people excited about live, local theatre?
A. Education is the answer to so many questions in our lives.  People need to know we are here and doing great work.  Many people think live theatre only exists in New York City.  I think we all love to see a show on Broadway, but local theatre companies have so much to offer people and at a much more affordable price.  We also have to make sure we always put the best product out that we can.  Many times, through an invitation from a friend, we get a live theatre virgin in the house.  If we want them back, we have to leave them wanting more.  It also doesn't hurt to put a kid or two on the stage or maybe even a dog.  People love kids and dogs.     
 
Q. What was the first show you have ever done?
A. My birth into theatre was portraying Danny Zuko in Grease. 
 
Q. What does the average theatre patron not know about live theatre?
A. The average theatre patron really doesn't understand the amount of work it takes to put on a show and what the actors, musicians, technical crew, and show staff give up in their daily lives to give the audience the chance to excape from their own daily routine, if only for a moment.
 
Q. What have been your favorite roles?

Caryn Graham, Mary Kate Karr, John Riggs, and Stacy Riley in Company Photo by Julia Leurman

A. My favorite roles come from my favorite theatre experiences.  The people I work with have more to do with favorite roles than does the actual part.  Although I have had some great experiences working with many people around the country my two favorites would be playing Man #1 in My Way, a Tribute to Frank Sinatra with American Theate company in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Gaston in Beauty and the Beast last February with Performance Now Theatre at the Lakewood Cultural Center.  
 
Q. Where can we see you next?
A. This year has been the busiest theatre year in my life.   I open Company for Woof! Theatre Productions on October 10.  It runs for three weekends at the Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder.    My plan is then to relax until next summer when I have signed on to play Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in Greeley.
 
Q. What’s one movie can you recite line for line?
A. I can't.  I forget my lines the day after a show closes and I have performed them many times.  My mind can only hold so much information.