BWW Interviews: David McGinnis, A Life in the Theatre

Since first arriving in Nashville, David McGinnis has kept busy on various stages around town -- his first onstage role in Music City was in La Cage Aux Folles, a show I directed for Circle Players more than 10 years ago -- either performing roles or serving in a technical capacity, most likely designing the lighting plan for a new production. And with his 40^th birthday fast approaching (the big day is Friday, June 4), he found time to sit down and answer our questions to give us a glimpse of his "Life in the Theatre." Read and enjoy...

What was your first taste of theatre? When I was in fifth grade as I did a Christmas play at school. It wasn't anything big just a cute show about Christmas around the world. It wasn't until high dchool when I got up the nerve to audition for Agatha Christie's Appointment with Death; I was cast as Lennox and was the number one suspect in killing Mother.

What was your first real job or responsibility in the theatre? For quiet some time I really only focused on acting in the theater, then due to some really interesting circumstances, I found myself as a lighting designer. I was working a lot on stage at the Morristown Theater Guild, and was also doing lights. Its fun to light yourself.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in theatre? I was fortunate enough to always live in areas that had great community and professional theater. I could always escape into a show and for a while be that someone else.When I moved to Nashville in 1996, it was to start my life over. To be the me I always wanted to be. The first year I was here I focused on my new home and life, then one night, while watching a really talented friend perform in his band, I went from having a great time o being miserable almost instantly. I realized that by focusing on my home, I was leaving out a part of me that was too important. So through a series of luck I got cast in a show.

Why do you pursue your art in Nashville? What are the best parts of working here? I love Nashville. The first show I did in Nashville was La Cage aux Folles, and the friends I met doing that show are still constantly in my life. In fact four out of six of my inner circle of friends are a direct result of that show and we still get together at least once a month for a night out. This theater community supports each other through thick and thin. I have been in some fantastic shows and some shows I wish I could forget, but the bonds we make during those times are fantastic, where else can you go two months without seeing someone because you have different rehearsal schedules, and then when you see them almost pick up mid sentence from the conversation you last had.

If you could play any role, direct any work, design any production, mount any production...what would it be and why? To play any role, I would love to, once again, put on the persona of Orville from Daddy's Dyin' Who's Got the Will; I enjoyed that part so much the first time, I would love a second try. Now if I were younger, thinner and drop dead gorgeous, I would want to play the part of Dorian Gray. To direct, mount and design, I would love to bring Forbidden Broadway to Nashville.

Who would play you in the film version of your life story? When I was younger, and thinner, someone thought I had a resemblance to Dean Cain. I can live with that.

What's your favorite play/musical? Play - Noises Off. Musical - I have to go with Avenue Q.

If you could have dinner with any three figures (living or dead, real or fictional) who are a part of the theatre, who would you choose and why? Oscar Wilde - Getting his views on theater and life would be wonderful; Carol Burnett - I love to laugh and would love a couple of hours with her; The Cheshire Cat - Sometimes is best to get a view from such a different angle, it makes you look twice at reality.

Imagine a young person seeing you onstage or seeing a production in which you played a major role coming up to you and asking you for advice in pursuing their own theatrical dream...what would you say? First believe in yourself, Without that, there is no way to success. Second, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, don't look for parts that you can easily play, look for challenges. Third, never stop learning. If you can take classes, if you cant once a week just observe people, go to the park or the mall and just take in what you see. It's those little truths you can add to your performance that make it believable.

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