Interview: The Many Faces of TODD PONDER

The first time I met Todd Ponder was my first audition after graduating from college in 2013. I could tell immediately that he was a nice guy and he helped to calm my nerves. Since then I have seen Todd Ponder in many roles on stage: the tough guy, the soft-hearted, the scary guy, the every man. He can change his persona in an instant and has a wide range of voices and accents. He also sings!

Todd was one of those kids who tried theatre in school and was immediately hooked. He took every opportunity to perform anywhere he could. That passion, drive and willingness to do any role keeps Todd Ponder on stage almost continuously.

When asked about his favorite roles, Todd excitedly has many. "At Briarwood Christian High School, my first major high school production was an ensemble part in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF my freshman year, then my sophomore year, it was Lt. Shrank in WEST SIDE STORY, junior year was Jud Fry in OKLAHOMA! and my senior year I played Keller in THE MIRACLE WORKER. On May 17, 1989, I received a certificate of recognition from the International Thespian Society for remarkable performances in WEST SIDE STORY, JUVIE and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. On May 23 1990, I also received a certificate of recognition for Most Outstanding Musical Performance for my role as Jud Fry in OKLAHOMA! At the time I thought, 'This must be what it feels like to win an OSCAR or a TONY!' So naturally after I graduated from Briarwood High in 1991, I wanted to do more!! Later that year, I hooked up with the Spotlight Players of East Lake United Methodist Church and performed in GODSPELL, played George Gibbs in OUR TOWN, directed a short play called THE AFFAIR and a children's play called THE WORD IS LOVE. After that, I performed all over at different community theatres from Springville to Trussville to Town & Gown to the Levite Jewish Community Center to doing musicals with Centerstage Productions to Birmingham Festival Theatre to Leeds Community Theatre to Theatre Downtown to City Equity and NOW, I'm happy to be a regular performer at South City Theatre in Pelham!"

I always think as actors we have those roles that are something we dream of playing. Todd has been fortunate to play many iconic roles. When I asked him about roles he would like to play in the future, his reply was typical Todd Ponder. "I'm not really sure what roles I'd like to play that I haven't played yet. If I get a small part with a fair amount of lines in a memorable scene in a show with some GREAT actors, I'm pretty much a HAPPY camper!"

Todd's wife Lisa is also involved in local theatre and has directed Todd several times. I asked Todd if he enjoyed being directed by his wife. "Yes, next question! Ha! Ha! Even though we don't always see eye to eye on some things, I'd still have to say YES, Lisa is a VERY creative and talented director! She has put on outstanding productions of WILEY AND THE HAIRY MAN, THE CURIOUS SAVAGE and THE MIRACLE WORKER, all at South City Theatre. I also really enjoyed playing Oberon in her last SCT show, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM! Can't wait to see what she does next! We just celebrated five years of marriage this August by the way!"

Todd seems to be the kind of person who finds joy and excitement in everything he does. He never meets a stranger and always has a great story. He was happy to share one of those stories with us. "Here's a funny story. I used to perform at the Looney's Tavern Entertainment Park in Double Springs. One night I was driving home after a performance down a county road late at night, I was steering with one hand and putting Vaseline on my face, then wiping my makeup off with my other hand. A cop pulled me over because I was veering in and out of my lane. So I apologized and he let me off with a warning. The next evening, same thing. Once again I'm driving home and taking off my makeup. I tried harder to keep my car steady, but still I got pulled over again. It must have been the same cop because when I rolled down my window I heard him say, "Taking your makeup off again?" We laughed! And he still let me off with a warning, so I just waited until I got to a gas station restroom to take my makeup off. On a personal note, I'm thankful for the local police of Double Springs, Jasper or whoever was keeping an eye on Highway 78. There were a few nights where I was tired coming home from a show and I got a little sleepy behind the wheel. The policemen who pulled me over to check on me all those times, I'd say they saved my life and I'm VERY grateful to them!"

We are all grateful to them for keeping one of our community theatre treasures safe.

Todd has just announced that he will be playing Andrei, the Russian spy in Birmingham Festival Theatre's next production, RED HERRING which opens September 22 and runs through October 15. Once again, I know that Todd will embrace the part and give it all he has. And I feel sure we will all see that joy and commitment in his performance.

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