How did the role on "Passions" come about for you?
It was a long road. I came out here to Los Angeles after college, wanting to act. It was a big move and I got out here and flipped out. All I could think was that I went to college-I can't be a waiter! But the bottom line is, that's what you do. If you work nights in a restaurant, you can go on auditions during the day. I got hooked up with a manager out here and got into an acting class. The first audition my manager got for me was for "Passions." I tested for a role about a year ago and didn't get it. Then, I came back this time around and tested. I finally got the news that I got it. I was just thrilled! I feel like I have such a long history with the show already.
How familiar were you with the show before you got the part?
I started watching when I auditioned about a year ago. I watched it a few times before my audition, and then I kept tuning in after the audition! It was unbelievable-it was addicting. So many different things are happening on this show. I don't think there's another show on television like it.
Have you always wanted to act?
I had the bug before I even did a production! I remember watching "Saturday Night Live," which is the one show my parents let me watch when I was a kid besides cartoons. I would watch Dana Carvey, who to me is the funniest man I've ever seen. And after the show, I would do impersonations like he did. That's why my parents let me watch-because I would have so much fun with it.
How did you take the "bug" and turn it into a career?
For a while, I just kind of stumbled on different things. I've always felt that if you don't want to be somewhere, you shouldn't be there. You should be excellent at whatever you're doing and wherever you're at. It's hard to do, but I try. I was lucky enough to get cast for certain things in college and since I've been out here, a couple of independent films. There was an improv play I did in college that was really an amazing experience. The audience was set up all around the stage, so the stage was in the middle. We had four one-act plays set up but we never got to do all of them. We'd run through the entire act, and then we'd come back out and the director would explain that we were going to do it again. And then, at any given point the audience could chime in and take over a character. And you'd just go and sit out! None of that was scripted so you'd have to be on your toes. It was "stand and deliver" or get off. And that's the way I like it. That's what I try to bring to everything I do.
What have you done to prepare for this role?
I'm staying in acting school, where I've learned more about acting in the past year than I had up until that point. I've done a lot of character work. And I've learned about trusting the people you're working with, trusting yourself, and trusting your coach. As far as the lines go, I've adopted a system of memorization. It's by rote-so you just memorize the words on the page. You get them down, and then you put the emotion behind it. That way I can be fresh every single time, no matter how many takes we have to do.
What were you initially told about your character?
He was coming back to Harmony after being away for a long time at boarding school. He's a rich kid who gets whatever he wants on a platter. He's edgy and a ladies man. Maybe he's also a little bit conniving, which is great...every actor wants to play someone who's not everybody's best friend!
How does it feel to be a member of the powerful Crane family?
I'm a billionaire! Isn't it great? And especially seeing the work Ben (Masters, Julian) does...it's very exciting. I'll be looking to him for guidance. I can't even explain how fortunate I feel.
What are your goals for your time on "Passions"?
There are several different goals. One is to grow as an actor every single day. I don't want to wake up next year and think I'm the same actor I was when I started. I want to be able to watch a tape from four weeks ago and think I can do much better now than I did then. Also, I was on the phone with my manager and he was congratulating me on getting the show. I asked him what we do now. And he said-now we win an Emmy! I also want to give back whatever I can. Anytime that I have a chance to give something back, I'm going to do it.
Courtsey
of NBC
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Mercy Reef (2006)
