One of the wonderful things about being in theatre is that you get to work with some of the most creative, inspirational, and amazing people. I've been lucky enough to work with Arthur Pierce on several shows. He's a tremendously talented actor that you really do have to see in action. He is appearing in Equinox Theatre Company's 2nd show Frozen, opening this Friday. (Full Disclosure: I am on the board of Equinox Theatre Company.) Arthur is taking on a very challenging role. He is playing the role of Ralph, a convicted serial killer. This would be a difficult role for any actor to take on, and for today's Acts and Answered I thought it would be interesting to hear a little bit about what it takes to play such a dark and troubled person. And of course my favorite other Acts and Answered questions.

Q. What is your favorite theatre to visit as a patron and why?
A. Unfortunately, I don’t make it out to see shows.  I have enjoyed seeing a couple of shows at the Arvada Center.  I really liked the feel of the Ricketson space at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.  It is a nice size but intimate, not a bad seat in the house.  I’ve heard really good things about Evergreen Players, Vintage, and Victorian Playhouse.

Q. Tell me a little about your current show.
A. I don’t want to give away too much for those that are not familiar with the show.  Let’s just say it is about a mother whose ten year old daughter disappears one day.  Over the course of time it traces her processing through all these emotions of hope, anger, fear, resignation, and healing.  The play is amazingly real, raw, and visceral.  The audience will hopefully leave with some fuel for very good conversations.  However, do be warned, as a parent I am telling you not to bring young children.  This show would land an R rating as a movie.  Nevertheless, it is a relevant and poignant R rating.

The play is amazingly real, raw, and visceral.  The audience will hopefully leave with some fuel for very good conversations." 

Arthur Pierce as Ralph in Frozen: Photo by Hillary Tae

Q. What makes a “good” show?, What makes a “bad” show?
A. A bad show starts with a script that is too audience specific, one that doesn’t have a broad enough audience appeal.  Obviously, a real buzz kill is a director and cast that don’t trust one another.  It is vital that the cast be able to trust the director to have a clear vision of where the show is going.  Equally, the director must be able to trust that the actors can flesh out what the playwright created and add more dimension to the director’s vision.

A good show, likewise, begins with an appealing script and is made enjoyable and worthwhile by a director and cast who truly are willing to co-create the skin and muscle that covers the skeleton of that script.

Q. How long have you been in theatre and what got you started?
A. As a child I was terrified of being in front of people.  Then I had to take speech in high school.  I came to realize that there was really nothing to fear in facing people.  In fact, there was a certain element of power.  One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I was competing in speech contest and performing on stage.  I have been addicted ever since.  That was about 1988.

I love the revelations that being an actor gives me.  To theoretically walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.  My best days are the days when I go home with a slight headache.  It’s not like your typical headache.  It is more like the equivalent of the pain that comes with a good physical workout.  It is that sign that you have really pushed to bring something out.

I love the revelations that being an actor gives me. "

Q. How can we get more people excited about live, local theatre?
A. We really have to get started by striving to support and advertise each other.  Industry nights are wonderful.  Free plugs in each others programs.  Working together to purchase add space in major papers, especially those of us who have limited budgets.  Also, more combined efforts to go out and do free community things: skits, improv, offering free classes to community members on acting and theater.  We can not make the public aware of the vast network of theaters that Denver has to offer as separate entities.  We have to keep lifting each other up so that we can lift ourselves up.

Arthur Pierce in 20th Century Photo by Greg Stant

Q. Tell me about playing such a dark and troubled character, such as Ralph in Frozen.
A. It is a great and difficult challenge.  It is easy to try and play the stereotype, but our real goal is to not stereotype Ralph.  Only the audience will be able to let me know if I succeed in my goal.  As a parent and a person who had a difficult childhood, Ralph can be both painful and therapeutic.  I hope in the end, the performance will allow the audience insight into such a tortured soul as well as an idea of just how dangerous a truly damaged spirit can be.

Q. What does the average theatre patron not know about live theatre?
A. We don’t wear underwear on stage.  Some old ritual thing, who knows?

Q. What have been your favorite roles?
A. Currently, Ralph has been the most challenging.  Otherwise, I have really enjoyed playing Antonio Salieri in Amadeus, Audrey 2 in Little Shop of Horrors, Arnold in The Boys Next Door, and Papa Ge in Once on this Island.

Q. Where can we see you next?
A. In the unemployment line.

Q. What is your favorite breakfast cereal?
A. Coffee and Cigarrettes.  No milk thank you.