It's that time of the week again! This week we're interviewing PHS alumnus, Colby Russell Benjamin who is portraying Carl in "A Nice Family Gathering."
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I was born in Memphis, Tennessee, I lived there until I was 5 then moved around a lot growing up until settling in Knoxville roughly 10 years ago. I'm a recent graduate of Powell High School, class of 2012. In my spare time I write poetry, read, play bass guitar, and get into anything creative I can find. I work as a Host at Applebees, have a wonderful 9-year-old niece, and I'm a huge fan of the show "Doctor Who."
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
In the right light, I've been told I resemble the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Can you give us a brief timeline of your involvement in theatre?
I caught the Theatre Bug while in school. In 2010 I signed up for the Theatre class offered by Powell High and took the class from 2010-2012. I looked for public shows but also took a hiatus to peruse employment.
How did you get involved with the Powell Playhouse?
I had met Mrs. Nita off and on, but while attending the showing of "The Night Is My Enemy" she got me interested in the Playhouse. I began following the Playhouse via Facebook and would go to any audition I could until I found the show that would get my foot in the door.
Do you have any funny audition stories?
Haha! Yes, from the audition for "A Nice Family Gathering" ironically. Bob (Powell Playhouse VP) and Gina (Powell Playhouse President/Director) were assigning parts to everyone in a reading and as they picked I was not told anything (I assumed it meant to stick with the role I had been reading the past few times). So before the reading begins it goes silent and I took that as a cue to start reading; after I read a line, Bob made a funny retort at my eagerness to read my part and it sent everyone and myself into laughs.
Cats or dogs?
I like both, but I've been around dogs more.
What is your dream role and why?
I could go on and on about that, but I'd like to try a Romantic type role. All my past roles have ranged from loving parent all the way to villain/jerk. As they say we nice guys finish last, so I'm just waiting for my turn! But as far as certain works go, I'd love to do more Shakespeare (I played Malvolio in my senior year production of "Twelfth Night") and if I had what it took for musicals I'd love to do "Phantom of the Opera," "Avenue Q," "American Idiot," or "Rocky Horror."
What is your favorite role and why?
I can't really narrow it down, I always loved any of them for various reasons as I always find one or two things that make them unique and special to me.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring three things, what would you bring and why?
I'd bring my one volume collection of Shakespeare for reading material and to reenact scenes from "The Tempest" (I'm on an island, why not?) I'd try to carry at least one survival tool like a knife or a lighter, and finally, just for laughs, a volleyball. I know that last one sounds odd, but c'mon you can't lie and say once island madness sets in you wouldn't want one just to paint a face on so you could have a reason to yell "Willson!!!" and get away with it.
And that was Colby Russell Benjamin, everyone! You can catch him as Carl in "A Nice Family Gathering" on November 6, 7, and 8! Stay tuned! :-)
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