Hello Beautiful People,
The day that I met Mark Price for a cup of tea will forever stand out as one of the fondest memories that I’ve had since embarking on this Write Teacher(s) journey. It was a moment where art, friendship, theater, and Broadway intersected – a perfect NY moment if you will. It’s a beautiful and amazing thing when one finds encouragement in the unlikeliest of places, and I found that in my meeting with Mark. Mark is an accomplished writer and actor, having been in ten Broadway shows and countless Regional Productions, so when he told me how much he loved my site and the work that we do at The Write Teacher(s), I was truly touched, encouraged, and inspired. I wish that you all were able listen to Mark’s advice, as I had. To hear the wisdom of his words and experience his patience and thoughtful way of teaching, it is a gift. Alas, our Q&A will have to be the next best thing, and I’m so pleased to share it with you all.
Friends, meet Mark Price…
TWT: First things first, did you always want to be an actor and singer?
MP: No, when I was younger I wanted to be a veterinarian or DJ, my love for theater didn’t really come about until junior high.
TWT: Of all the roles you’ve played, which ones are most memorable?
MP: I would have to say Dennis in All Shook Up. I got to create it from scratch, which was a dream. I was working with Christopher Ashley, and between him and Joe DiPietro, we just had a lot of trust with each other that made for an amazing process.
TWT: You were in the original cast of Mary Poppins, (Robertson Ay), an outstanding production. What was that experience like?
MP: Awesome, once Disney gets behind something, they really give it their all. Richard Eyre was the director, and he’s just all around outstanding. To even be in the same room as him is amazing, and worth the four years that I was on that show.
TWT: What advice would you give to high school students who wish to pursue a career in theater?
MP: Be a sponge; learn as much as you can. If you can, find a mentor. Find someone who can guide. No one minds getting an email or phone call and having someone say, “Hey, I’m a huge fan of yours, can I take ten minutes of your time?” I believe that people in the creative arts fields love giving back as well. People are willing to do it, it’s just a matter of reaching out, making that call. Start thinking of yourself as a creative artist, rather than a product. Have a goal of what you want to do, and be specific about it. Think about the shows that you want to be in, the productions you want to be a part of, and the people who you want to work with. Break it down so it’s tangible, not some ethereal thing. I would also say to try to find the courage to bring yourself to whatever creative endeavors you want. Find what’s different about you, and bring that to your material as best you can. All of us are so inherently unique and amazing and special and vibrant an d entertaining and complex and engaging – the hard part is getting gout of our own way, so that we can show that in whatever material that we’re doing, so that we can bring that to the table, because that’s what people respond to the most. And that’s what separates people from the four hundred other people than came before them. Also, make sure you have a fantastic support system. Surround yourself with people who have solutions when they you tell you not to do something. They say don’t audition for that role? Well, why. Do this instead of that type mentality? People who say “no” a lot instead of giving constructive criticism? Those are probably not the best people to be around. Know rules before you break them.
TWT: Just for fun, what books are permanently on your bookshelf?
MP: A Confederacy of Dunces, by John Kennedy Toole and Start with Why, by Simon Sinek, and Street Shadows: A Memoir of Race, Rebellion, and Redemption, by Jerald Walker are on that shelf. Memoir is one of my favorite genres; I love David Rackoff, Ann Lamont, and Joan Didian.
TWT: Just for fun, what sounds do you love?
MP: I love the sound of the ocean…silence…newborns.
TWT: Just for fun, what sounds do you hate?
MP: Jackhammers, public arguments, and noisy restaurants.
TWT: In today’s economy, arts programs are being cut. What reasons would you give to a politician for preserving the arts?
MP: I wouldn’t be here today, with ten Broadway shows under my belt, if it weren’t for my teacher in junior high school who took me under her wing. I was a person who felt so socially awkward, until I found something that I was able to contribute to – and that’s what teachers do, they teach students how to learn, and provide opportunities for them to contribute, and I think that’s one of the biggest gifts of the arts programs. It allows that to happen with students, who don’t know necessarily what they have to contribute yet, it’s just a matter of matching that perfect opportunity with the right student, and then the rest completely takes care of itself. You have to exercise both the left and right sides of the brain, so that they balance each other. Arts programs make you more empathic, culturally aware, and intuitive.
TWT: Who is/was your greatest teacher?
MP: I’ve been so lucky; I’ve had quite a few! Beverly Bubenik in junior high, Tim Driscoll in high school, and my dad.
Live, Love, Learn,