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