TAABeauty Cast Spotlight: Joe Harding, "Monsiuer D'Arque"

 

Joe Harding is undeniably one of the best character actors in the Central Valley.  A mainstay of Encore Theater Company in Tulare, we are lucky to have him part of TAA's Beauty and the Beast!

These are some of his thoughts on his upcoming role...

Who do you play in Beauty and the Beast and how is he important to the story?  
I am the character Monsieur D’Arque, the insane asylum director. He comes into the show at the point where Gaston needs help convincing Belle to marry him. For a price, D’Arque agrees to collect and send Belle’s father, Maurice, to “reside” in the Maison Des Lunes. Along with Gaston and Le Fou, D’Arque completes the Unholy Trinity or the Three Musketeers of Mayhem. (Insert diabolical plot laugh here). 

This is not a character that matches your personality -- is that fun? Challenging?
First off, I will take that as an immense compliment; although, many at work would say I was “type cast”. The challenge and fun of theater is to do something or act differently than you normally would. I hope to radiate so much sinister evil through voice and mannerisms, Gaston will start looking like a choir boy. Come and see for yourself. 

 What other roles have you played recently?

Over the last 16 months, I have been in 7 shows playing a wide variety of characters. Where else except theater can you get to pretend you are a straight-laced Navy officer or an intoxicated member of a wedding party or a mysterious Christmas party guest with an eye patch and a cape or an honest and sincere Bingo announcer or a farcical Scrooge or the Grinch in a professional latex mask? 


What are your all time favorites and what is on your "bucket list? 
Every role I end up in becomes my all-time favorite. I used to have a pretty long bucket list of shows and roles but over time I have had to eliminate some choice roles like the Elephant Bird in Seussical, Kenickie in Grease and Benjamin in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I am at the point in my community theater and semi-professional stage career where I have a deep appreciation for everyone that contributes to make a show come to life.

The audience only gets to see a fraction of those that are responsible for the magic to happen. I truly enjoy the “bucket cast and crew” where everyone joins an extended family and we all get to share each other’s triumphs as well as a sympathetic ear or shoulder when times get tough around the theater or in life. 

What else do you do with your life when you're not on stage? 
Weren’t you paying attention? I am always on stage. As a math and history teacher for Visalia Unified School District, I put on 3 shows daily for my students, entertaining over a hundred enthusiastic teenagers. Most days after school, I also coach our high school tennis team. That keeps me busy right up to rehearsal for my current show. 

Why is live theater important to you personally and why is it important to the community?  

Joe as Uncle Drosselmeyer in TAA's Nutcracker Ballet

For me, theater is a great hobby. I enjoy the challenge of learning lines, choreography, and music. I believe it is important to the community to support our young artists and encourage them to pursue their dreams. Our area is full of talented young singers, dancers and performers; we do not have to travel far to see high quality live theater on a regular basis. 

Who should come to this show and why? 
I think you should come to show ONLY if you are a KID, have a KID, know a KID, were a KID, think like a KID, or wanna be a KID. Just KIDding! It’s for everyone. It’s Disney. It’s a Theater Arts Alliance production. TAA does not do routine or boring. Memories will be made; experiences will be had. You will be entertained!

Come see Joe and the rest of the phenomenal Beauty and the Beast cast this August 18-21 at the LJ Williams Theater in Visalia 
Tickets at:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2561633 or call 559-972-8417

#TAABeauty Cast Spotlight: Seth Vazquez, "Gaston"

Introducing Seth Vazquez, "Gaston" in TAA's upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast!
Seth Vazquez is an accomplished and well-established actor and singer in the Central Valley.  In roles as diverse as the thoughtful and romantic Lieutenant Cable in South Pacific to the zealous and passionate Enjolras in Les Miserables, Seth brings a strength and excitement to every stage!  We asked Seth a few questions as he prepares for "Gaston."

Audiences will get to know you on stage -- what do you do the rest of the time?
By day, I am an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), either on a ambulance or in a hospital ER.  The biggest drive in my life is helping those who are experiencing possibly the worst moments of their lives. As an adrenaline junkie, quick thinking and fast interventions are like second nature to me, so much so that I'm in the process of advancing my education at Fresno state in hopes of becoming an Emergency Room Physicians Assistant (PA) so that I will be able to help more people then ever possible.

How did you get your start in theater?  I started doing theater based on a dare, funny enough. A girlfriend in high school had been trying to convince me to audition for the school musical but I just couldn't bring myself to do so. In fact, I waited until the last 10 minutes of the audition process to reluctantly walk in, but I am sure glad I did. Being up on stage, being someone else, is something that really can't be explained to another: it has to be experienced! For me, the feeling I get on stage is addictive, I think that's what keeps bringing me back to the stage. No matter where I go in life I know that as long as I have a voice and a body to be in, I will find a stage to be on.

Tell us about the character you play in Beauty and the Beast -- Gaston.

I have always found Gaston to be unique in the realm of Disney villains. Where others mirror their horrible intentions on their exterior, Gaston is physically attractive and really drives the

phrase, "don't judge a book by its cover" home. What really drove me to him is his character arch. In the beginning, Gaston is rude, narcissistic, and chauvinist yet somehow remains charming to the audience. Yet as the show progresses his once charming nature morphs into one of malice and jealousy which ultimately drives him to become the villain of the piece.
Gaston is important to the show because I believe he represents the kind of villain we each can become. It's sometimes easy to let your pride get out of control and to think we deserve only the best, as Gaston frequently states. Where Belle represents whole, complete beauty and the Beast represents beauty on the inside, Gaston is extremely important to the message of "beauty is found within" due to his beautiful exterior but not so beautiful interior.


Why live theater?  Theater for me is something that I can always look forward to, it's something

Seth as "Enjolras" in the Fresno Grand Opera
production of "Les Miserables"

that no matter what troubles or obstacles in life I may be facing, I know that in theater and on the stage I can forget about all the outside world and just enjoy what the cast has spent so many so many painstaking hours preparing for the audience.
I believe theater should be a mirror to life. When one goes to the theater to see a performance I believe that it is our job as actors to not only entertain them, but to move them in a way that no other medium can, to make them feel different about the world by having seen our show. I know that is what I strive for every time I step on a stage. And Beauty and the Beast will be no exception -- prepare to cry all kinds of tears, audience!

Who is this show for?  Who should come see "Beauty and the Beast?"
If you live in California, come see this show!!! This cast will represent some of the premiere actors and singer the region has to offer. Children of all ages would love to experience the wonderful magic and touching message of Beauty and the Beast in LIVE ACTION right before your eyes! From the spoons to Belle herself, each cast and crew member has one goal, to make you, the audience, laugh, cry, and experience the magic that is a Disney spectacular. So "be our guest" and discover the true nature of beauty this August only at the LJ Williams Theater!

Come see Seth and the rest of the Beauty and the Beast cast August 18-21 at the LJ Williams Theater in Visalia!  Tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2561633