#63. 365 Day Challenge - Day 2: Colin Grube

Today we take a look at my partner in crime, Mr. Colin Grube.

Who may or may not be The Joker.

Many of you are probably at least familiar with Flying V, my theater company dedicated to Awesomeness as a Theatrical Concept. And you may well know that Colin is an important part of the V as Associate Producer and Board Chair.

But what you may NOT know is that without Colin there would be no Flying V at all.

It was Colin who took Become What You Are (our first show) and pushed to create something longer and more lasting than a single show. And it was very much Colin's faith, belief, and support in me as a person and an artist that gave me the courage to actually put a flag in the sand and do this. We've been fighting on the front lines ever since - having pulled a company of tremendous artists that is in the process of producing it's third show in seven months basically out of our asses.

I don't honestly know what I did to deserve the kind of tremendous loyalty and support - emotionally, artistically, financially - that Colin has given and continues to give me. He already has his hands full being an extraordinarally hard working artist in his own right, a tremendous friend to so many others, and most importantly a father and husband one should aspire to be (and I can't stress that enough). But whatever it is, my goal is to never let him down. He is a very good man and someone I tremendously respect. His friendship, and his belief in me, drives me to make Flying V something worthy of both our legacies.

I don't have any pictures of us together. That should probably change.

#63. 365 Day Challenge - Day 1: Michael Saltzman

Lindsay Denmark gave me this one -

365 day challenge: do something every day for a year. Some ideas: take a photograph of yourself in the same position (looks really cool in the end!), write in a journal, learn a new vocab word, save a dollar each day, etc.

So I've decided to take a moment every day for the next 365 to showcase and celebrate a different person who I think is pretty awesome, right here.

And leading us off, my dear friend and collaborator - Michael Saltzman.

The beard goes "Roar!"

We could start with the fact that Michael is one of the most talented actors and performers I know - with impeccable comedic timing, emotional depth, commitment, facial control, and a diverse depth of character range that allows me to say without reservation that while some parts may at first seem to suit him better, there is not a role out there Michael Saltzman would not excel at playing and make his own.

Or we could start with the fact that Michael is an amazing collaborator - incredibly smart, with tremendous instincts, kind, and the easiest person to work with I've ever met. We've done six shows together in the last calendar year alone - in every combination from actor/director, to director/producer, actor/producer, to sharing a scene onstage. I think he reigns supreme as my most frequent artistic collaborator and it's because every project with him is made fresh, exciting, and better for it.

But starting there is to ignore the most important component of Michael Saltzman - what a tremendously kind and caring man he is. Mikey is a good human being - loyal, considerate, and friendly. He is the kind of person to put the needs of others ahead of his own. And while he carries those qualities in his art, he even moreso does in his friendships. To know Michael Saltzman is to love him, because he engenders those kind of feelings simply by being who he is. It's been a privilege to watch him grow over the last several years - take more responsibility and ownership over habits standing in his way and accomplish a number of very personally challenging tasks - not always gracefully, but always with charm. And that struggle and success is an inspiration.

I'm beyond excited to have someone of his talent as a Flying V company member.

But most importantly, it's been an honor to have him as a friend.

See you tomorrow.