1.7.08: When did you first know you wanted to be a performer?

There's a very interesting answer to that question. I had always been sort of a ham; loved to sing even as a child. But, living in Raleigh didn't really lend itself to a plethora of opportunities to be a singer. I distinctly remember seeing my first stage show when I was in seventh grade. A touring production of the musical Big River came through town. My mom, who was a big Roger Miller fan took me and a friend of mine to see it. I remember watching the guy who played Huck Finn on stage and thinking how cool it was that he got to make a living singing. I knew I couldn't dance, and had no experience acting, so musicals weren't necessarily something I dreamed of, but I remember realizing at that point that it might just be possible to make a living as a singer. I always have wanted to play Huck Finn in Big River after that. In what is a great full circle twist, the actor who played Huck Finn in that tour was Marty Moran. Now, fifteen years later, I think it's really funny that I am taking over the role of Robin from the first person I ever saw perform in a musical.

Check it out!  Click on Clay .... and more to come!