Community Building in the Washington, DC area!!

SFP Editor: What sparked your interest in acting? Geoffrey Brand: I have owned a guitar for years and still only know the chords G, D, and C. So I thought I needed to look for an alternative creative outlet. I heard that a lot of acting is just being yourself, so I thought - hey I can do that. Besides, I am one of those weird types who enjoy speaking in front of people. One of my favorite lifetime experiences was years ago when I told a few bad jokes as the Master of Ceremonies at our company Christmas party. Having exhausted most of my material at that one time, I thought I would have someone else write for me and try acting.

SFP Editor: How did you get involved in the Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA)?

Geoffrey Brand: I had taken several acting and Improv classes there starting about four or five years ago. Total fun. The instructors at LTA are fantastic. Some of my former classmates appear in the current production with me Nude with Violin. Of course to get involved with an actual play at LTA you have to audition. Some people love auditioning and some people hate it. I think it is great since you get a guaranteed audience, even for a short time. They actually cast me in a part that I did not audition for. I play somebody a little younger than what I actually am. The good side effect is that it made me hit the gym a lot harder lately.

SFP Editor: Describe your experience preparing for your role with Little Theatre?

Geoffrey Brand: It is actually a fairly lengthy process. A typical community theatre show lasts about a month but the rehearsals start about 2 1/2 months before opening night. A lot of what you figure out is what they call blocking. Where you are going to be and what you are going to be doing on what line of the play. Rehearsals are about 3 or 4 times a week. Everyday the week before the show opens, which is September 4th ;-) .

SFP Editor: What about local theatre do you enjoy the most?

Geoffrey Brand: It's so different than watching a movie. You get the sense of immediacy and originality. You feel a "sense of occasion" when you go out to the theatre.

SFP Editor: How can the average person get involved in local theatre?

Geoffrey Brand: Take a class. There are a plethora of acting class options to choose from in the DC area. No experience necessary. If you do not have the time to rehearse take an Improv class. My first acting class was with Arlington Adult Education which I found from the flyer you get in the mail. Other places include the Theatre Lab downtown and of course the Little Theatre of Alexandria. If you don't want to act (nobody can't act - trust me), there are other ways to "hang out" at the theatre from set construction, prop management, makeup, and ushering (which is needed every performance).

SFP Editor: Is there a performer or play that has inspired you the most over the years?

Geoffrey Brand: Locally, I really enjoy watching two of my former acting instructors perform, Mike Baker and Mark Adams. They both have been professional actors for years (i.e., acting is their day job). They teach, direct, and perform. Mike, a very versitile man, also does the Redskins commentary show for the cable channel MASN.

SFP Editor: What is your training in acting?

Geoffrey Brand: I started locally here in DC about 6 years ago. I have been in pretty much constant state of taking classes or in a project since then. It's my main creative outlet.

SFP Editor: How would you describe the DC theatre scene?

Geoffrey Brand: The theatre scene is especially good for smaller community theatre type venues. Yes there are some high quality level venues such as the Kennedy Center and the Shakespeare Theater, just to name two, but the small amateur (meaning they don't pay the actors, not that it is of lesser quality) companies really flourishes here. Plenty of opportunities for the actor with a day job to practice their craft.

SFP Editor: What do you enjoy the most about acting?

Geoffrey Brand: A question like this you are supposed to say "the people". And sure, you get to meet a lot of interesting and creative folks. You get a feeling of community. A great feeling of team spirit. A sense of accomplishment when things are going well. Some of your fellow actors have great stories of past plays and films they have done. But probably you enjoy most is getting laughs and applause. That's really really cool and a great boost to your ego.

SFP Editor: Do you ever get stage fright?'

Geoffrey Brand: Yes. There is always the tinge of the combination of excitement and fear. Like a roller coaster, that's part of the reason it makes it so enjoyable. (I had a little bit of fear before a recent script reading). I can most easily overcome it if I can somehow incorporate it into the personality of the character.