A new direction - Paying It Forward

After more than 30 years as an actor, singer, and performing artist, I have come to understand that the greatest gift of a life in the arts is the opportunity to share what we have learned with others.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work alongside extraordinary artists, directors, teachers, and collaborators who challenged me, inspired me, and helped shape the artist I am today. Their generosity, guidance, and belief in the power of storytelling have stayed with me and continue to influence the way I approach my work.

As I move into the next chapter of my artistic journey, directing has become a natural extension of my experience as a performer. It allows me to take everything I have learned - the discipline of the craft, the importance of collaboration, the responsibility of storytelling, and the value of creating a supportive artistic environment - and use it to guide and empower the next generation of actors.

Directing also gives me the opportunity to embrace a deeper level of creative agency: to tell the stories I believe in, to explore the voices and perspectives that inspire me, and to create work in a way that reflects my own artistic vision and values.

I am deeply grateful to the many mentors, teachers, and directors who have supported and guided me throughout my journey, including my longtime teacher and mentor Rob McCaskill of McCaskill Studios, Vik Sivalingam of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Brett Smock of The Rev Theatre Company, James Vásquez of The Old Globe, and Kai-Ling Cheung, The New School. Their generosity, insight, and willingness to share their knowledge have been invaluable as I continue to develop my voice as an artist and director.

Ultimately, paying it forward is about building the kind of artistic community that has sustained me throughout my career—one rooted in trust, collaboration, curiosity, mentorship, and a shared belief that the stories we tell have the power to connect, inspire, and create change.

 Directing — Motherf**ker with the Hat at SUNY Purchase

I'm honored to be making my directing debut at the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at SUNY Purchase with Stephen Adly Guirgis's Motherf**ker with the Hat. After more than three decades as a performer, stepping into the director's chair has been an exciting new chapter—one that allows me to collaborate with talented young artists as they take creative risks and discover the emotional truth at the heart of this remarkable play.

I'm deeply grateful to Becca Rich, Director of the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at SUNY Purchase, for her confidence in me and for the opportunity to work with such an extraordinary group of students and artists. This cast is gonna be fire!