We asked Chad Clem to tell us a little about himself. This is his first show with us and here’s what he told us.
When I was little, I suffered from a pretty serious case of stage fright. I was shy and didn’t like to have attention drawn to me, particularly that of strangers. Eventually, I found a way to overcome it, but theatre (and art in general) has always had a bit of a dangerous quality that is both frighteningly addictive and exhilarating for me.
I discovered theatre, or at least my love of it, while in college. I auditioned for a play my second semester at the suggestion of a friend, and despite having no theatre experience, for some reason, most likely mild insanity, I did it. It has proved to be one of the best decisions of my life. I performed in various plays as part of the West Virginia Wesleyan College Department of Theatre and Dance, including Rumors, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Shape of Things, You Can’t Take It with You, Tartuffe, and Doubt.
I think that I eventually found out that there was a sort of Zen to art (particularly theatre), that in a weird way it’s sort of like life therapy. It enables you to take your personal experience and transform it into this force of creativity, that you then shape into a character or a poem or a joke or whatever you need it to be. You share your experience with other people and together you make a connection. For me, theatre is about that connection.
I am excited to work with ACT 2 Theatre and with such an amazing cast and creative team. I’d like to thank everyone involved for this opportunity.
What a great story, Chad! We’re so glad to have you in this show!