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| Actor and Stand-up Comic Keith McGill. |
Keith McGill is an actor and stand-up comedian
active for several years in Louisville and the surrounding area. Locally he has
worked with The Louisville Improvisors, Walden Theatre, and the Actors’ Theatre New Voices
Playwriting Program for Young People. As well as being
popular internationally on Royal Caribbean Cruises, Keith has appeared on BET
and CMT, and is a Bob and Tom Show favorite, as well as a much
sought-after entertainer for corporate events. This month, he will be available
to audiences in the Actor’s Choice production of Topdog/Underdog opening
January 10. http://keithmcgill.com/
Entire
contents are copyright © 2013 Arts-Louisville. All rights reserved
1. You work as a stand-up comic and as an actor. Which came first?
I was an actor
first because I wanted to be on stage and acting seemed most accessible at the
time. But I’d always been the
“class clown” type and I was really drawn to comedy, so I went to an open mike
and gave it a try. Now I’m lucky
enough to do both.
2.
What inspires you?
Really good
actors and stand-up comics. I feel
so lucky to be in the same profession as Louis CK or Helen Mirren or Jim
Gaffigan or Robert DeNiro. Because
I teach, I get inspired every day by kids who find their potential on stage or
just in front of a classroom.
3. What was your first professional job as a comic?
When I first
started out, I did twenty minutes during a band break at a bar mitzvah.
4. As an actor, what has been your favorite role?
That’s a hard
one because I love every role, especially when I’m doing it. Right now I’m working on
TOPDOG/UNDERDOG as Lincoln and having a great time.
5. What has been your least favorite role?
My first acting
role was a period piece where I played scenery. Literally. There was a bunch of us rolling around
on the floor in Lycra bags playing rocks and trees.
6. What is your dream role?
The next one I
get hired for. It’s just so great
to be chosen and get to do this all the time. I just want to keep doing it whatever the role.
7. What is the best direction you have ever been given?
A director once
said to me simply, “I don’t believe you.”
In other words, stop “acting.”
I use that same direction all the time when I direct.
8. What is the worst?
I was in a play
where I was given almost no direction so I thought I was doing okay. After final dress, the director says,
“Keith, I feel like you're doing a completely different play than everyone else.” What was I supposed to do—fix it
overnight? Where were you for the
rest of rehearsal? But that let me
know that you can overcome even the harshest critics. By the way, that was the same director that gave me my best
direction.
9. Who is your favorite playwright?
Toss up – Tennessee Williams and August Wilson.
10. What makes the local theatre scene so strong?
We support each
other so well here. You always see
actors and directors from other companies going to see each other’s shows. And now with events like the Slant
Culture Festival at Walden, we’re coming together even more.
11. What are its weaknesses?
We need more
spaces to do shows. The Bard’s
Town has been a great addition. And I saw Savage Rose’s Macbeth at a modified
Iroquois (Parkside Studio at Iroquois Amphitheater). So we seem to be working that out.
12. If you couldn’t be an actor, what would be your choice as a profession?
I would teach
maybe. I like being there when “the light comes on.” When some kid gets it for
the first time, or something he or she already knew about himself or herself is
honored.
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| Keith McGill in rehearsal for Topdog/Underdog. Photo courtesy of Actor's Choice Theatre. |
Actor’s Choice, Presenting TOPDOG/UNDERDOG
with Keith McGill and Brian Lee West
January 10-20, 2013
https://www.facebook.com/events/349510168479715/
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