If I had never gone to the University of Northern Colorado, I would not have met the most incredible friends and people in my life now. If I had transferred from UNC, like I contemplated for awhile, I would not be doing broadcasting like I am now. I would not be acting in and around Denver like I am now. (Okay...maybe that one is false. Either way, I would be acting. HAHA!!) My point?... Your dreams are always in your reach.
I admit I may sometimes live vicariously thorough people, but it's exciting to me to see how they react and experience things. For example, I love watching little kids discover something they never knew existed before; something as simple as a ride on a swing or running through sprinklers. It just makes me smile, and I love to smile. I also love the invention of "Facebook." Thank you Mark Zuckerberg!! I am able to keep in touch with friends and family, and although I don't get to talk to them all the time, it's fun to "check in."
Recently, I was reading the newspaper, which in itself doesn't always happen so frequently, but I always go for the arts and entertainment section first, and on this particular day I discovered an exciting story!! A friend of mine from college, who was in Musical Theatre, was in the newspaper!!!
UNC ALUM JAMES MAY TALKS "DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST"!!!
Posted in the Denver Post on March 9, 2012.
James May stars in the touring company of "Beauty and the Beast." (Provided by Disney)
We had a few questions for the graduate of Aurora's Overland High School (class of 2004) and the University of Northern Colorado (class of 2008).
Q: Performing a musical at sea level is one thing. At altitude, it's something else. Do you have an advantage as a Colorado kid?
A: I think so. My brother and I used to run cross country in school, and we'd always joke that when we ran at sea level we felt like Superman coming down from Krypton. In Greeley (at UNC), whenever we had Broadway choreographers come out to teach a class, they'd inevitably get out of breath. At altitude, you have to breathe differently. You have to breathe more.
Q: Show after show, playing the same character and saying the same lines. How do you keep it fresh?
A: This is by far the most performances I've ever done of a full musical. I'm already at 120 on this tour. As an actor, you have to constantly challenge yourself to stay in it. You always find new beats, new moments, new ways to experiment with how you do things. You're living in that person's skin for so long. In one way your body starts to feel really comfortable with it, but you can't get too comfortable.
Q: You've played around the country, but now you're coming home. How does it feel?
A: When I first was finding out about this job, I didn't know the full schedule — there were holes. So I was telling my friends and family, "It's too bad I'm not coming to Denver." Then one day I was scanning through the upcoming schedule and saw the Buell, and it was like, "We're playing the Buell! Oh, yes!" The DCPA is where I saw shows when I was growing up — I'm sure when I get there, it will be really exciting going to the dressing rooms instead of taking a seat with the audience.
Tucker Shaw: 303-954-1958 or tshaw@denverpost.com
"DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST." The musical plays Wednesday-March 18 at the Buell Theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets.Tickets, $20-$90, are available at denvercenter.org or 303-893-4100.
I am so excited for James. I am so excited that classmates, friends, acquaintances, however they are in my life, are doing what they love. I am so happy to see the success of them. It keeps me focused and determined to make it with my dream. It's success stories like this, that truly make me see how life is one big journey and how each moment in our lives, is all part of a big picture. We just need to be open to see it, when it really is in front of us.
