Mark Ford is making his theatre debut with Holy Cannoli opening June 19 at the Friedlander’s Center in Clarksburg, WV. So how did a nurse end up in a play for the very first time? We let Mark explain that.
Chorus Line was my first ever Broadway show and I saw it on my first of many trips to NYC while on a high school field trip. I was enthralled and amazed by the performance! During the field trip we took a “behind the curtain” tour of Radio City Music Hall and got to meet some of the Rockettes and were amazed at the immensity of the venue, the stage, and also all the technical aspects involved with a big Broadway production like the moving sets, lighting etc. There was a whole subterranean world of people behind the scenes making the show work, and it was awesome!
After the trip I thought I wanted to try acting in a play or other production just to see if I had the talent for it and just to experience it first hand but never got around to it. The closest I had ever got to acting prior to this performance was my many experiences of public speaking with my work as Spanish Translator for the Culinary Union in Nevada and as City Organizing Chair for the Culinary Union in Reno and when I ran for State Legislature in Nevada. so I am glad I finally got to do this even if it came a lot later than I wanted it to.”
Mark is currently a Licensed Practical Nurse and is enrolled in school at USCI in Ft. Collins CO.where he is studying Massage Therapy. He will leave WV for Colorado this fall to complete the Clinical portion of this training and then will pursue a Certification in Wellness Coaching with the American College of Sports Medicine and will open a private practice in Colorado.
I thought that acting in this production would be something fun to do before leaving WV and returning West to Colorado. At first i thought it would be hard to play the part of Vincent Rossi since the only thing we have in common is that we are both Italian Americans but Susan, our Director, reassured me I have acclimated myself very well to the role. I want to say that i have really enjoyed working with our Holy Cannoli crew and cast and have enjoyed my transformation into becoming Vincent Rossi and I sure hope the audience does too!
Photography by Laura J. Meese.