Shout Out to the Home Team

I first got interested in the arts when I got my first part in a production of "Raggedy Ann and Andy" at a local theater in the Houston area when I was only thirteen years old. I have auditioned for films, television shows, commercials and more theater productions than I can count. My humble beginnings allowed me to meet the man I would eventually marry and start the next great adventure in my life. And while I may not have made it to the big screen, I have carved out my little niche here on the computer screen which has given me the chance to give a shout out to my favorite talents that have come out of the place I call home.

Jim Parsons of the Big Bang Theory, and upcoming The Normal Heart, was born in Spring and studied theater at the University of Houston. Though raised in Memphis, TN, Missi Pyle (one of my favorite character actresses) was actually born in Houston. Dennis and Randy Quaid were born and raised right here in my home town. One of my favorite childhood memories was watching Faerie Tale Theater, starring Houston native Shelley Duvall. Brent Spiner of Star Trek fame is from Houston as is South Park co-creator Matt Stone. Alexis Bledel, Sean Patrick Flanery, and Hilary and Haylie Duff have the honor of calling Houston their hometown. My favorite country singer, Lyle Lovett is from Klein, Texas which I am going to say is close enough.  

I have had a few brushes with fame, if I do say so myself. Jeremy and Justin Furstenfeld of the band Blue October (one of my absolute favorites) are related to my cousins and were both born right here in Houston. So I can say we are almost related. Actor Sterling Knight got his taste for drama at the same theater where I got my start. In fact, I was the assistant director in one of the plays he did when he was just a wee one. Allison Tolman from the new hit show, Fargo, can also claim to have shared the same stage with me way back in 1995 at that exact same theater. It's a small world. 

All stories have a beginning. Some start with a bang and others with a slow burn. That's one reason I was always drawn to the performing arts. Story-telling is just a.part of me. Maybe that is why I was drawn more to writing than to acting in the end.

And if any of my hometown favorites want to do a small time blogger a solid and give me my first big interview I certainly wouldn't turn you down. I'll even give you a perfect score of 10/10.