Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Spotlight On...Chris Cafero

Name: Chris Cafero

Hometown: Norwalk, CT

Education: B.A., George Washington University

Select Credits: Off-Broadway: The Awesome 80’s Prom (Blake, Webster Hall), Regional: A Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit, The Century Club), The Last Godfather (Bennie, New Rochelle PAC Theater), Garage Quartet (Chris, Fairfield Theater Company) TV/Film: As The World Turns, Guiding Light, Campus Life (Dirs. C. Scorsese/K. Waddell), Life In Parallel. Commercial: McDonalds, Coke, Nintendo, Dunkin Donuts, Gatorade, Macy’s, and more.

Why theater?:
I really just love acting, regardless of the medium. Theater is amazing because of the unique and raw emotion that is produced during each performance. There is nothing more exhilarating and rewarding for an actor than the visceral connection you create and share with a live audience.

Tell us about Sheeple: Sheeple gives us a peek inside the minds of four high schoolers, who spend a summer day philosophizing about life, love, politics, and, of course, how to buy weed. Over the course of the story, certain events and revelations cause the characters to question themselves, their worldview and their plans for the future. Told through the eyes of teenagers, Sheeple manages to capture the struggles of adolescence and the burden of needing to change the world, one summer afternoon at a time. It is written by Mara Wilson ("Matilda", "Mrs. Doubtfire") and directed by Max Reuben (AGGRCRAG).

What is it like being a part of Sheeple?: Being a part of this production has been an awesome experience. The process has been enlightening, educational, challenging, and a lot of fun. Each member of the team, cast and creative, bring such a unique quality to the table. I’ve really learned and grown a great deal by working with all of them. It is also great to be a part of a new play, because you can really take the role and make the character your own.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Theater that makes you feel. Anything that can bring you to laughter or tears, or that can make you think in a way you haven’t before. That is the ultimate goal of storytelling: to move people. The most inspiring artists I have met are the ones who are still struggling. The bar tenders and tutors and waiters and baby sitters and office assistants and parents-- many of whom are working multiple jobs and busting their asses to make ends meet. Yet they still find time to chase what they love. They fight and scrape and claw to achieve their dreams and goals in this business. When I have moments of professional doubt or fear, I look to these people in my life and I am inspired and rejuvenated by their passion for their craft and their undying persistence. They keep me going.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: Nothing in particular, but I would love to do commedia dell’arte style comedy.

What’s your favorite showtune?: “One Day More”, Les Miserables. But “You Can’t Stop The Beat” from Hairspray always gets my feet moving and puts a smile on my face.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Theatrically, I would love to work with Norbert Leo Butz. He is insanely talented. I think he has mastered his craft and really seems to have his finger on the pulse of comedy and human emotion. I would love to learn from him. And Martin Scorsese.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Oh geez. I only hope that my life is interesting enough to make into a movie! I would want my brother (and actor) Nick Cafero to play me. And I’d like it to be called “A Good Story”. 

What show have you recommended to your friends?: The last show I saw that I recommended to friends was Alan Cumming’s Macbeth. His interpretation and performance were unlike anything I had ever seen. Unbelievable.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: I find no guilt in my pleasures.

What’s up next?: That remains to be seen. Stay tuned!!

For more on Chris, visit www.ChrisCafero.com. For more on Sheeple, visit www.SheepleThePlay.com