Since moving to New York in
1974, (and after starving, driving a cab, working in a bakery
and at Saks 5th Avenue),
I pursued my exciting and
diverse career in show business.
I started as an actor but, since I didn't really sing, and
definitely didn't dance,
the roles were too few and far between.
I did a little modeling - even had a Stetson ad placed in Playboy
Magazine.
But, back then (1977, pre Tom Selleck), I couldn't get booked with
a mustache.
But since my college career included all kinds of theatre
experiences, I found lots of work Off Broadway
on electric and carpenter crews and as a stage manager.
I spent some time at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
(on staff),
The Public Theatre and The Actors Studio - among
other places.
I even went out on the road for a while with a non-Equity tour
of "1776" and Voices Inc.

>>>>
My Complete Resume
In 1980 I made it to Broadway as a stage manager and even
had to "go on" for a week of shows when an understudy was
unavailable.
The show was called "Marlowe."
In 1984 I began working on "La Cage Aux Folles,"
first as a sub stage manager, then as a dresser.
This lasted for almost 4 years, after which I went
out on the road with Harry Belafonte (see below).
From 1988-1990 I did my Local #1 Stagehand apprenticeship
at CBS,
as a carpenter - building and repairing scenery.
I also worked at NBC, on
the "Donahue Show"
and on the Broadway show "Cats"
as a sub follow spot operator.
Since 1988 I worked exclusively as a stagehand.
From 1990 to 1997 I worked on "Phantom
of
the Opera"
as a carpenter, propman, flyman and front light operator.
Most of my last three years there were under contract as Assistant
Propman
- driving
the Phantom's remote control boat.
I was even sent to Atlanta's Fox Theatre to drive the boat in an
emergency for the Phantom tour.
From April '97 to July '98 I was at the Imperial Theatre as
Assistant Propman
on "Les Miserables".
Beginning in May of 1997,
I began working at Disney's
New Amsterdam Theatre.
The theatre had a Grand Re-Opening with the World Premiere of "King
David"
followed by the World Premiere of Disney's "Hercules' Summer
Spectacular and Light Show Parade".
(I
was inside, as Propman for the stage show.)
Then came "The
Lion
King". What a show! It will be around for years!!
I was a sub on the show in the prop department during the first
year of the run.


THESE ARE JUST SOME
HIGHLIGHTS!!!

From the end of
1998 into mid 2001, I was at the Plymouth Theater on "Jekyll
& Hyde" followed by "Bells Are Ringing."
During that time, I did several load-ins and load-outs of other
Broadway shows such as: "Hedda Gabler," "Mama Mia," "Thou
Shalt Not," "A Class Act," "Seussical,"
"The Allergist's Wife," "Taller Than A Dwarf,"
"Ride Down Mt. Morgan," " Puttin' It Together,
" Voices in the Dark," "Parade," and
"Fascinatin' Rhythm."
From September 2001 to March 2002, I was subbing in the prop
department on "42nd Street."
From March till June 2002 I was at The Martin Beck Theatre (now
called the Hirschfeld
Theatre)
as Assistant Propman on "Sweet Smell of Success" starring
John Lithgow.
It's a great show! (despite what the critics said.)
Beginning in August of 2002, I worked on The Lion King as a full
time employee in the prop department.
In May of 2006, I fell and injured my neck (almost breaking it)
and am now retired.
I have published my book: "What
We Do - Working in the Theatre" which which won a
Book of the Year Award in 2008.
What We Do is a mixture of my experiences used as a guide
for an overview of the theatre business for theatre students and
dreamers just starting a career.
It is the ONLY book on EVERYTHING in theatre written by someone
who has actually DONE everything in theatre.
In short, over the years, I went where the
jobs and the pay checks were.
It didn't matter what I did - anything "in the business" was OK
with me.
I came to New York to "do theatre" and I've been pretty successful
at it:
I have worked on Broadway as an actor, stage manager, dresser,
carpenter, electrician, flyman, & propman -
(To my knowledge, the only person to do this.)
I have worked on four of the longest running Broadway shows: Cats,
Les Miserables, Phantom and Lion King -
(To my
knowledge, the only person to do this.)
I held union cards in the three stage unions (Actors Equity, Local #1 Stagehands,
Local #764 Wardrobe)
- simultaneously - (To
my knowledge, the only person to do this.)
>>>>
My Complete
Resume
During all this Theatre activity,
I also worked on "Sesame
Street"
for six wonderful seasons...1...2...3...4...5...6
(from 1990 - 1995)
Alas, I never met Jim Henson. He passed away just before I
started.
But I have met Big Bird and Elmo and Telly and Cookie Monster
and all the rest.
And I met a lot of famous people too!
Here are just a few:

One of my most memorable experiences
was traveling all over the world
with Harry
Belafonte in 1987-88.
We went all over the U.S. and also to Paris, Milan, Madrid, Munich
and Harare Zimbabwe!
It was incredible! An experience of a lifetime!
I was his wardrobe supervisor and took care of all of his clothes
and the back up singers and band
too.
(return to top)