By Brian Sheldon
For InPlay Capital Region
I’ve always been a big fella, which I’m fine with...now.
Growing up, I felt as if I had to be the funny guy to gain approval from others. My size was a constant reminder that I wasn’t going to be like most everybody else.
When I started doing theater I was almost always cast as the funny guy on the side. It was comfortable. Until I saw an audition for The Full Monty at SLOC.
I saw that the role of Dave was a lead and it called for a heavier actor. I prepared like I never prepared before. I was cast and spent two months rehearsing. Opening night came and I was struggling with the nudity the show called for. I knew I would go through with but it wasn’t until the moment right before I pulled the VERY small under off and stood there in all my glory that I truly felt alive. It was freeing in the greatest of ways.
Since then I am full of confidence which drives me to tell and create empowering stories.
