Hello Beautiful People,
I’m so pleased to introduce you all to our next featured Actor, Chris Perfetti. Chris is a graduate of the Conservatory Theater at SUNY Purchase, a BFA program that truly is outstanding in guiding young actors to hone their craft. He playe Charlie in Stephen Karam’s Sons of of the Prophet, and won the Theater World Award for Best Debut Performance. Most recently, Chris played Bomber in the revival of Picnic at The Roundabout Theatre Company.
TWT: First things first, did you always want to be a performer?
CP: I think I became addicted to making people laugh early on, but sort of found this craft by way of music and with the guidance of some great teachers. Initially, and for a while, being attracted to it for all the wrong reasons, but it’s kind of been the perfect mistake.
TWT: Of all the roles you have played, is there one that is most memorable?
CP: Stephen Karam wrote an incredible play called SONS OF THE PROPHET that I really enjoyed being a part of. I find myself wanting to go back after every role I play- thinking I understand something better now, or I just miss going on the ride- but I miss Charles the most. For me, the most memorable experiences professionally and in school have been the roles that scare me or confuse me, and Stephen wrote a beautiful, complex play that anyone would be lucky to work on. SONS was also my NY debut and that adrenaline carved an even deeper memory.
TWT: What made you decide to choose a BFA program instead of a BA track? Would you do it differently?
CP: A lot of my grade school teachers, and surely my mother, will tell you that formal/traditional schooling was never really my cup of tea, and I think many artists might feel the same way. I spent a lot of time doing impressions of people instead of doing my homework. The conservatory I went to offered me intense, in-depth exploration of the things I was interested in. A good BFA (or MFA) in acting is also a degree in history, anthropology, psychology, and much more. I wouldn’t trade my experience at SUNY for the world.
TWT: Picnic is truly an American masterpiece, and the buzz surrounding the production at Roundabout has been nothing but positive. What has the experience of this show been like?
CP: Picnic has been nothing short of an extreme pleasure. The most thrilling, fulfilling Broadway debut I can imagine. I’ve been sharing the room with a pantheon of artists, and am again humbled by the character and support of the amazing Roundabout Theatre Company. When dealing with a great piece of writing, so much of the work is done for us, so it’s been fun to just live in this world and let the play’s nuance and depth just unravel. Also Sam (Gold) is a veritable genius, a gift-director, and I’ll take bits from him with me into every rehearsal for the rest of my life.
TWT: If you had to choose another profession, what would you choose?
CP: A chef! It’s exciting, creative, bolsters my food obsession, and still lets me sleep till noon.
TWT: Just for fun, what movies could you not live without?
CP: Well as long as we’re talking “just-for-fun” J… I have a (perhaps embarrassingly) strong affection for Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. It’s just the right concoction of, dark, self-aware, whimsical, and BEAUTIFUL. Speaking of dark and beautiful, Pan’s Labyrinth is another absolute fav. I’m also a dork and JUST saw Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and I’d prefer to never be without it.
TWT: What advice would you give to students in high school who wish to pursue a career in theater?
CP: Do it. Find people you like and crash their party. There’s a weird thing that happens -or at least is happening to me- where you realized, in these years, how much life has really started to speed up. The length of a year feels shorter. The distance between milestones, birthdays, seems less than the year before. I feel like I’ve heard it a thousand times but, life IS short, do something that will bring you great joy, you might inspire someone else to do the same.
TWT: In today’s economy, arts programs are being cut. What reasons would you give a politician for preserving the arts?
CP: I would remind them that they, like all of us, are gonna be remembered for their contribution to the human spirit. It’s more than an economic issue; the arts have never had the funding they deserve. Even with the odds against us, I think it’s our job to show our peeps in Washington the value in what we do. When we hold a mirror up to the world we ignite conversation, love, understanding, and give meaning to humanity.
TWT: Who is/was your greatest teacher?
CP:I should preface my answer by saying I’ve had MANY brilliant teachers, without whom I’d be a pile of mush on the floor. Charles Tuthill was my first-year acting teacher at Purchase and continues to be my mentor and great friend. His unyielding dedication to this art form and supreme talent as a teacher make him my one true invaluable resource. He is a master teacher and a profound, insightful human being.
Thank you, Chris!
Live, Love, Learn,