Inside the Eyes of Domenic

I have been Domenic in Sleeping Beauty since I got introduced to the role during the 2006 summer series and I have been enjoying the character ever since. This character has it all; before he became a knight; he was a man servant to the younger Stefan before he became a prince. Domenic was not aware that someday he will become a knight; Stefan was not aware as well, over time Stefan is finally a prince. Domenic however has grown as well; he is still a man servant to Stefan; but he wanted to be knight just like Stefan. So Domenic started to look up at him like a eager student wanting to learn the ways of knighthood.

Stefan believed in me that someday I will be a knight; just like a accomplished knight he started to teach me the ways through the knight song. Stefan is also looking for something else; love. She met a pleasant lady that Domenic thought it is the princess; Stefan's betrothed since he was a kid. Even Domenic remembered when he was young about the princess when she was a baby. Stefan back then did not want to marry her; now he can. Stefan is not aware there is a oath to swear when married the princess; not a simple peasant lady. So I kinda remind him about the oath.

Domenic did remember the curse that Uglicia gave to the princess and so did Stefan; so he and I went to end Uglicia's evil once and for all. During the fight with the Dragon; Stefan gave me a chance to save his life. As the result I was knighted as the first knight of the realm.

(This is my perspective on the character)

What is it like to be born with Down Syndrome?

Quite personnally, I'm just like anyone else on this earth but there are things that are buried within me down deep. I'm more alike than different becasue I have the ability to learn much faster that makes me an great student. People with Down Syndrome have uncanny abilities to use on the stage and within the arts, that's just one factor of being born with. I'm normal just like other people,but there are times that I need help in certain subjects that doesn't mean I'm dumb personnally, there are times I need to learn at a certain speed so that is why I have people to help me along the way to learn a different way of approaching the subject.

People that are born with Down Syndrome have active imaginations as well. Take for an example, Chris Burke an well known actor with Down Syndrome. Just like him, I have been an performer for 13 years. He has done onstage productions just like I do. Chris Burke has been on TV as well of which someday I will be.

All those unique abilities I have makes me more alike than different.

My Life in Fairytale Land

Kaleidoscope Theater had opened a gateway to me to Fairytale land since 2005. Now every Spring, Summer and Fall I remained in Fairytale land for as long they want me there. I've been different characters throughout fairytale land. My first visit is at an open valley with an well in the center. Everything is so tranquil and serene. I worked as a servant to the prince who is looking for a princess. I was so oblivious about all that. But, all that changed when I drank the magic water and fell in love with the princess's cousin. Later on, my senses overloaded so I began to talk to the prince about my feelings with Ariana. So I gave her some magic water and it worked, we made our decision to get married, but the king wouldn't let me because I'm not a prince. My long lost mom made me realize that I'm a prince she hid it from me ever since I was a baby. I was officially married than and we found a castle of our own and raised a family.

My next visit was an elegant castle with the king and queen. I was still an servant to the prince but this time the story changed. He wanted to become an knight just like the prince, but no one will give him an chance. The prince persuaded that I will become one to me but, he told me that being an knight is an special quality. He knew he'll become one someday with Stefan's teachings. His fate came, when Stefan fought the dragon. Stefan felled during the fight and gave me the sword and shield to back off the dragon while he was recovering. Even though the prince defeated the dragon he gave me the credit for saving him. I officially became the first knight of the realm.

My last visit in fairytale land is when I met Jack. He didn't believe that I was an magician, so I showed him a couple of magic tricks, he believed in me so we became friends during his journey. It was my job to entertain the giant before he went on a rampage on Jack. The magician is the person that has the magic beans but they are not visible because of magic. Seeing is believing is the magicians philosophy.

Going Back in Time-1997 (Don't Rock the Boat 1st production)

March 6th 1997; I've first started my career as a performer in Carmel Junior High at Indiana. Back than, academics are an essential to every performer on the stage. March 6th 2010 will mark my career in history about 13 years ago. This production is just one of my favorites. One year later in 98, my career ended with an bang in another production. That's another story, for now enjoy this video. Next blog will show my last production in Jr. High before transitioning to RI's chapter of new productions.

Very Soft Shoe performance revisited

This video contains footage of the famous Very Soft Shoe song from the Talent Show at Toll Gate High School in the year 2000. This time the song is been sung by an different character during the Talent Show in the year 2000. It's not the Court Jester this time, it was an famous tap dancer named Gregory Hines doing his own version of the song on stage. My thought is to promote an different character of the song besides an clown to a slick tap dancer. My characters had gone through different stages. My next video blog will be my very first production in Indiana in don't rock the boat of which I became an pirate. Enjoy the video!

The birth of an RI performer

This video is shot at Toll Gate High School on that magical year of 1999 when I first got involved into my very first high school musical in the Drama Club with the senior class of 99. The production was an total success and it made an mark on my decision of becoming an performer. It even made great reviews and comments within the student body, faculty and parents. This song has been repeated an year after it's debut with Once Upon A Mattress, that time was my very first talent show, this time it wasn't the Court Jester. It was an tape dancer named Gregory Hines doing his own version of the dance.

Acting Timeline

1996=Talent on Parade

1997=Talent Show, Don't Rock the Boat

1998=Talent Show, Coming of Age

1999= Once Upon A Mattress

2000=Murder She Wrote, Talent Show

2001=Talent Show

2002=Talent Show, Arts Intergration Gigs

2003=AS220, Blanca Nieves, Poetry Slam, Arts Intergration Gigs, Talent Show, Rhode Island College Theater Camp.

2004= Rhode Island College Theater Camp, What Color Is Your River, Spoon River Anthology, Christmas Carol, Arts Intergration Conference at Crowne Plaza

2005=I'm Special, Your Special, Frog Prince, Christmas Carol, Arts Intergration Conference at Crowne Plaza, No Talent Show at Lombardi's 1025 club, Rhode Island College Theater Camp.

2006=I'm Special, Your Special, Arts Intergration Conference at OSAR, Sleeping Beauty, No Talent Show at Lombardi's 1025 club, Jack and the Beanstalk, Laramie Project, An Evening with David Ives, Christmas Carol.

2007=I'm Special, Your Special, The One Act Play Festival, Intermittence, Salute to Vaudeville, Frog Prince.

2008=Member of the Wedding at CCRI, No Talent Show for Advocates in Action, Salute to Vaudeville, Jack and the Beanstalk, One Act Play Festival, Christmas Carol, I'm Special, Your Special.

2009=Twilight Los Angeles 1992, Frog Prince in New Jersey, No Talent Show for Advocates in Action, Frog Prince for summer series, Sleeping Beauty, Frog Prince at Saugus, Rethoboth and Scottish Rites, Sleeping Beauty at Saugus, I'm Special, Your Special, Shakespearean Sonnets, Jack and the Beanstalk. Coming soon to end 2009 Christmas Carol at Park Cinema and Threepenny Opera at CCRI

My Life To Reach the Stars

"To be or not to be that is the question." Being an actor is the greatest aspect of my life. I first discover that acting can be a hobby.  I started to realize that a prophecy is starting to unfold. This prophecy is stated for anyone to reach the stars. That person will become an successful actor someday.

At first; I don't believe in the prophecy. At Junior High School, the stage is beckoning me to perform. I was nervous at first. When I got on stage, I immediately became the chosen one. Do you know the word "Transformation"? In 1998, I entered high school.

I started to think. Was the prophecy true? Was I the chosen one? My decision is to test myself if I'm the chosen one. The prophecy was right. High school was my period of transformation. From a student to a local performer in Rhode Island.  Going through Junior High School to high school, was a major turning point. The prophecy will stay true to his word. I'am now a year round actor. It's a gift to the world. 

Through the eyes of an experienced Actor

Every story has a message to be told. But this story is not an ordinary story. It's about a young man in his twenties, who dreams large of being an Broadway actor someday. This young man's destiny goes beyond the communities of Rhode Island, to entertain the public of his new found art of acting.

When he entered high school, he wanted to know what he can do to discover himself. What he did not know, that his destiny can go down in history. So he decided to join the Drama Club. At that magic moment, everything came clear to him. He got involved in one of their performances. On the magical year of 1999, he went on stage and did a stunning performance in front of everyone.

Through the later years of high school, he became an high school actor. He got involved in arts integration  gigs, poetry slams, and the even popular talent shows. He also got involved in acting field trips, and did a local performance at AS220 in front of his senior class of 03. He even took theater workshop for one of his classes.

June 10, 2003, he graduated from high school. He started to go forward to his dream of becoming an actor. He first started to go to Rhode Island College for summer theater camp. In fall of 2003 he attended college. Acting became part of his life, so he decided to pursue an AFA in acting.

He even got two acting jobs in the real world. He was an assistant theater professor at the Artist's Exchange in Cranston. He also had an full committed part time job of becoming an actor in Kaleidoscope Theater.  I like to end this story with an encouraging quote. "Life can leave down to two separate ways. One on the way to stardom and the other, you choose your own way."

Magic Land of Musical Theater

Once Upon a time, a young man in his twenties had landed on a part time job with Kaliedoscope Theater. He enjoyed it because this gives him an chance to achieve his life in musical theater. The other company he works with also does musical theater.

To began, Bob did an musical production called "Intermittence". The play is about androids, celery, and orgetrolls. Bob got the part of Tom, an inventor who created Charley that helps him in the radio station. Bob has also done other productions that turn out to be box office hits. In the year of 2005, his opportunity has become reality.

Bob's first production with Kaliedoscope is a play about inclusion. During the summer series of 2005, Bob became Henry in the Frog Prince. The next summer series which occurred in 2006, Bob landed on a role in Sleeping Beauty and Jack and the Beanstalk. The Frog Prince came back in 2007 summer series and Henry has returned for another year. 2009 will be his third year.

Musical theater will continue to influence Bob to achieve the impossible. In October 2007, Intermittence came back and so was Tom as well

Lessons and Hardships for a Young Actor

Richard Morrea is a person I've admired most. He expects alot from me. Without his support and teachings, I will be considered as a failure. After Toll Gate, Richard continues to become a team-mate on my road to stardom.

At the Artist's Exchange we learned about the basic beginning of theater. We also do productions in the spring, summer, fall and winter. I beginning to think that Richard is testing my theater experience. Richard used to call it "Method Acting". There are other lessons I've haven't accomplish. Such as eye contact and articulation. 

By next year, Richard will continue to assist me in theater. I also get to go on the road with our productions and visit Toll Gate once more. This time, I will be teaching theater to special ed students and theater class  

The Hardwork and frustation for an Actor

Acting can be fun but, there are times when acting can be frustrating and stressful. There are alot of reasons for it. First, it's the scheduling. On days when you have other rehearsals in another theater company at night, you have to change your schedule for the other rehearsals.

The second reason is destructive criticism. I know that every director has their opinions on other actors, but sometimes their opinions can hurt other people they love. I do understand that the directors are trying to help others with a little bit of criticism without hurting others feelings.

2009 Acting Opportunities

There are new upcoming theater opportunities through 2009. In 1992, Rodney King an African-American man was beaten by four white police men. Those events were turned into a play of which the Black Box players are going to be performed. The play is expected to open to the public in March and April 2009.

The Frog Prince is making a come back in April and May. This time, the production is making it's mark in Trenton, New Jersy. In May, the play is also going to make a mark in Saugus and the Scottish Rites Auditorium in Cranston.  

My Best Acting Memories

Before I began acting with the Artist's Exchange and Kaliedoscope as well, there are great moments and successful productions in my childhood. I remember my very first production back in Jr. High. In "Don't Rock the Boat", I was one of the pirates. That play was just one of my favorites. My other favorite in Jr. High was "Coming of Age." Those two favorites was just the start of my career.

In high school, "Once Upon A Mattress" was another popularity. "Murder She Wrote" was another one of my favorite productions in my life. In the summer of 03, 04, and 05, I went to theater camp at Rhode Island College. The theater camp's gives me an chance to be creative in my craft. I sure do miss those memories.    

Confessions of an Musical Theater performer

Musical theater has always been my passion since day one. I first remember that acting is just a hobby not just a career. I'm so proud that my acting passion has been discovered in college. Some of the plays I had done at the Artist's Exchange was merely a test of my acting skills but, my real challenge was doing I'm Special, Your Special.

I just want to grow in the world where people can be accepted not just their condition, but, the way to handle situations in a mature fashion.

My next blog is where things clicked when I first got bitten by the acting bug

Twilight Los Angeles 1992 Play Review

The Artist's Exchange in Cranston had hosted another riveting drama about the riots that took place in Los Angeles. The riots broke out in 1992, when I was in the second grade at Indiana. The riots are actually an series of fights between races. I'm for one, never label people becasue of their race. The play consists of monologues from each point of view from different races and profession.

My character is an Korean Talent agent. He is the eyes and ears in an korean race, while working at Hollywood. His office overlooks the Beverly Center. His emotions for being white and the destruction of the Beverly Center, made him to absorb a little guilt.

Enough of me, the beatings of Reginald Denny, Rodney King and Latasha Harlens made me feel that everyone should have an chance in life.

Member of the Wedding Play Review

The Member of the Wedding is a wonderful and successful drama production. Carson McCullers made a book and a movie about the play. The director was actually my favorite professor in school. This play was actually my very first college production at the start of 2008. The CCRI Players club director thought that I can play a six-year old kid, even my mom encouraged me to go for it. I sure showed them.

There are some certain aspects to it. The play took place down south, that means everyone has to speak in a southern accent. The CCRI Players had painted their characters really well including, Adam Florio, Gladys Cole and Brittany Thompson. The other members of the club did really well with their characters. The next play review I'm going to post is from our recent play from the Artist's Exchange this year about the riots that took place in LA.

Once Upon A Mattress Play Review

That production was my very first musical in high school and, my turning point of becoming a future performer in my later life. It all started when I first started high school in RI. In 1999, I entered the Drama Club along with the senior class. The director and advisor of the Drama Club, Mr. Simeon, gave each member of the cast a character role. He chose me to become their Court Jester. 

The character had alot of dialogue and he sang with the minstrel and the king as well with the cast. The Court Jester also had his own solo song and a very groovy dance. The senior class of 99 had done their parts remarkably great. The girl with the highest voice, "Kimberly Marthers", blew everyone out of the water with her voice. Even Rebakah Thompson had the most beautiful voice when she did the minstrel.  

This is my last blog entry for my past productions, because the next blog is from 2008 last year when I did my very first college production at CCRI in Warwick.

Christmas Carol Play Review

The Artist's Exchange in Cranston had hosted their own version of the Christmas Carol for their fifth straight year since their debut in 2004. The play had different members of the group since we first started it in 04. Our group started small at first, then it grew through the years to come.

When we first started doing the Christmas Carol, we did not use a script at all. Instead, we made up the story. We started to use the script in 2005. I have done quite a lot of characters in this production when we first started it. In 2004, I was Ebenezer Scrooge. In 2005, I became Bob Crachit.  In 2006, I became a man of business in the future. I took a break from the production in 2007 due to college but, I came back in 2008 and did Nephew Fred. Everyone did their part and they were wonderful  

Sleeping Beauty Play Review

In the year of 2006, I had my first chance of being in "Sleeping Beauty" with Kaleidoscope Theater. It was really a fun play with music, magic and bravery with two men. The play also has romance between a prince and a princess. Stage combat is also used in this play. All the characters are excellent. I made a new friend who actually played one of the fairies. Her name is Emily Staples. She was little shy at first, than we became friends after.

In "Sleeping Beauty", I played the part of prince's servant "Domenic". He had huge dreams of becoming a knight someday. That time came when Stefan almost got defeated by the dragon. He grabbed the sword and shield to hold the dragon at bay. He finally achieved his dream  "of knighthood". This year Sleeping Beauty is back and this time, is touring to Saugus on the first day of summer and in the summer series in RIC, Chevrolet and South shore. The next blog will be about the Christmas Carol of which I did back in 2008.