In every neighborhood, there is someone who makes the Arts a part of their life, and our community. You'd be surprised to discover how many different people use the arts to improve the quality of life in or hometown. EAT MORE ART! VEGAS will feature them regularly in our series "10 Bites."
What performing art do you do?
I'm primarily a performer--musical theatre is my "thing." I'm a sophomore in the Stage and Screen Acting program at UNLV, and I've recently taken over as Artistic Director/President of UNLV Second Stage, the revamped makeover of the Theatre Student Collective. We serve as a club for students to share their love for theatre, and hope to start the journey towards become a functioning mini theatre company in the upcoming year.
Why do you do it?
I love to tell stories. Sounds pretentious, but something about giving an audience the "whole thing" from beginning to end is so fulfilling.
What’s your favorite production/performance so far?
"Chuck Biggs" in She Kills Monsters at the (now-defunct) Onyx Theatre is probably my favorite role I've played so far--a total blast, and I got to be funny! Some shows I carry with me are ensemble roles in A Little Night Music at LVLT--because of the stunning material--and Peter Pan at Nevada Conservatory Theatre--because of how close I got with my pirate buddies.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
I work retail. Not exactly glamorous, but a college student's gotta find a way to pay the bills. (Spoiler alert: It doesn't.)
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
After my first time performing in front of anyone--in Bye Bye Birdie at Super Summer Theatre--a "theatre person" from town who I've known for years, before I was ever involved in the arts, came up to me and said (and I quote): "Wow, Noah, you actually don't read badly onstage." I still laugh thinking about it.
What would you be doing if you weren't performing?
Writing. I was a reader as a kid. I remember, I read (and wrote summaries about) 160 books in my sixth grade English class. I won an award for it.
Name something you love about Las Vegas, and why.
I love the intimacy and the family togetherness of our community--even if we have our differences, we're still family, and you do anything for family.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Before I started college, Greg Kata (my vocal coach and probably the smartest person I know) said to me that in every acting class I take I need to be (to the teacher) a "good colleague, not a good student," and arrive every day with ideas and a strong point of view on what it is that I am doing, and I carry that with me.
What superpower would you have and why?
Super speed. My mind moves a mile a minute. A friend of mine says talking to me is like being in an Aaron Sorkin show.
Any future projects?
UNLV Second Stage has a monthly variety show series coming up! Called "UNLV Live!", it will feature songs, skits, monologues, dance numbers, and anything under the sun that UNLV's students can cook up. Our first performance will be October 12th at 9 PM. Follow us on all social media @unlvsecondstage for more info.
Are you a local artist of any discipline? Do you work with a company as a designer, stagehand or administrative staff? We'd love to get your 10 Bites to share. Fill out a form here, and you might be featured in a post!