Jack Utrata - Blog

The Bipartisan and July House

7/18/2015

TWO SHOWS. One Month. One Epic Experience

Hello everyone!

This summer has already been the best ever! I am currently working on two shows in NYC that I'm very passionate about. Both happen to be projects of my aluma mater UNC Chapel Hill and directed by Nathaniel Claridad (Here Lies Love, UNC-CH Professional Actor Training Program.)

1.) "The Bipartisan" written by Joey Rasmus, is a musical comedy that will be playing at the Hudson Guild Theater in NYC as part of the Thespis Festival on August 6th @9pm, August 8th @1pm, and August 9th @6pm. (Click any of the times for tickets.)

It is about a newly elected congressman, "Evan Williams" (played by me) and his fight against partisan divisions in Washington. It is a hip-slapping, tongue-in-cheek musical romp and is sure to entertain anyone with a sense of humor! We recently were written about on the UNC-ALUMNI site ( Check out the article.)

2.) "July House" written by Pat D. Robinson, is a dark comedy about five friends vacationing at a beach house in North Carolina for the 4th of July weekend. Drinks and drugs rule their time there. They end up writing letters to each other and making a pact to keep them sealed till the death of the first in their group. I play "Paul," he is a silly, humorous drunk with an incredibly positive outlook on life.

"July House" is a part of the NY International Fringe Festival and will be playing at The Teatro SEA at the Clemente 107 Suffolk Street (between Rivington & Delancey) on SAT 15 @ 4:30 TUE 18 @ 9:15 FRI 21 @ 9:30 MON 24 @ 7 THU 27 @ 4:30 . (Click any of the times for tickets.)

We are currently fundraising for July House and have 14 days left to meet our goal. A donation of any size (even word of mouth) is greatly appreciated by the entire cast and crew. Donate to our Indiegogo

I look forward to seeing you at the shows!

Until next time,
JACK

MY FATHER

4/15/2015

Today is PREMIERE DAY! For two weeks back in February I was shooting a new short film in which I play one of the two lead characters. The film is called "My Father" and it is brilliantly directed by Alex Laudic, who is a french filmmaker. The film was made possible by the partnership with ESRA which is a french film school! I had such an incredible time on the film and I hope to be sharing other big news about it as it enters into festivals!

Until then here are some pictures from those unforgettable two weeks... HAPPY PREMIERE DAY!

Cheers,
Jack

Let me See Your Dada...

4/6/2015

TONIGHT: I'm getting my benefit on for the Peculiar Works Project and you should come and see the crazy stuff we have going on! Here is all the info you will need!

(RE)CREATION: A DADA BENEFIT EVENT Curated by Sarah Cameron Sunde (Lydian Junction) and Rachel Parish (Firehouse Creative Productions).

(Re)discover the spirit of the Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich (1917) with an evening of Dada and Dada-inspired poetry, plays, music and films.

The Merchant's Square Building
40 WORTH STREET, NYC
(between Church and West Broadway: map it)

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015, 7pm
Advance tickets: $20 ($25 at the door)

hAPPY nEW yEAR

12/31/2014

Tonight marks another year well lived. I can't express the gratitude I have for every man, woman, and child who got me to the place in life that I am today. Last year, I worked at Discovery Place for two incredible exhibits playing historical figures, and that confirmed that I am surely a character actor! And boy do I love doing it. Growing up, I always loved school, mostly for the social aspects but also for the research papers! I know what you're thinking... He's lost it! But really, in all seriousness, the research papers. I would put so much effort into this 12-15 page paper and usually get an amazing grade! Now I'm not all about getting positive reinforcement (but what actor isn't a little bit?), but I have equated that process of research papers with the research I do for my acting. I love a historical character because it invites me into a world I might know little to nothing about... And that fascinates me. People fascinate me and I'm interested in telling people's stories.

This year also saw me move to NYC and land a job at a very high end restaurant that supports my living. I have been on countless auditions and many callbacks and I did a staged reading of an original work that, you guessed it, had me playing two historical figures! In my free time, I have seen so many shows, enjoyed a NYC Happy Hour or two, and have fallen madly in love with my new city.

It's not easy going after your dreams, but it should be, and it can be once we all get out of our own way and realize we have nothing to lose! I am incredibly lucky, and for that I have everyone to thank. The man who cast in my first play in middle school, the track coach that didn't pick me for the team, the friends who have stayed in touch over the years, the man who invented alternating current electricity, the rejection, the praise, the in betweens... I'm who I am today because I've kept living my life. I can't wait to see what I do and what you all do with the gift of another year. Happy New Year everyone!

Until Next Year,

Jack

Let's Go "North"

11/24/2014

Tonight is the opening of "North: A New Play" at Dixon Place in New York City. It is my official New York debut and I'm thrilled to be a part of this exciting new work by playwright Ran Xia.

I will be playing poet Percy Shelley and politician John Cam Hobhouse.

Visit the official page at Dixon Place here: http://dixonplace.org/performances/north/

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 7:30PM

$12 in advance
$15 at the door
$10 students / seniors

Estimated Runtime
100 minutes

ABOUT THIS SHOW

"North juxtaposes the life stories of Lord Byron and Chris McCandless, a.k.a. Alexander Supertramp. The play follows the journey of the romantic and sometimes scandalous poet as he traversed Europe and wrote his famous Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, as well as the tramp’s hitchhiking trip to Alaska, in order to examine the similarities and differences between those two characters. Lord Byron’s daughter Ada Lovelace and writer ofInto the Wild, journalist Jon Krakauer converse across time and space as narrators of the stories of their unapparent heroes, and contemplate on the timeless nature of those tales of young people’s endeavour to discover themselves."

Until next time,

Jack

Hello New York!

7/7/2014

Here I am New York! I've been here for a month now and I have enjoyed every minute! I found a wonderful apartment, got an awesome job, and had an industry showcase all in the first week! I have been to see Kinky Boots, Casa Valentina, Violet, Rocky and three workshops/readings! I went on a sunset cruise for my alma mater and I even got a chance to escape to Long Beach! If you've never been, it's quite lovely. I also experienced my first ever gay pride and Bryant Park movie night! And of course I can't forget the great food (and not so great food) because if you know me even a little, you know
that I love food!

Getting to know the city will take sometime for sure, but I have every intention of getting the city to know me! As any artist can tell you, relocating to a big city (or even a new city) is a huge change and it's one you have to embrace wholeheartedly. I am currently submitting for everything under the sun because as a very wise friend once told me "submit for everything" because you can always say "no!" No one is going to hand-deliver your dream to you, you have to actively be chasing it everyday. Most importantly, BE POSITIVE! If you don't believe in yourself than how can you expect others too?! Most, if not all artists are self-critical, this is just by nature, and finding a way to make that criticism constructive can move the vast mountains of productivity right along. So fellow artists, stay strong, believe in yourselves, and just DO it (whatever it is you love to do.)

Until next time,
Jack

Discovering my "Place!"

4/13/2014

Hello World! I couldn't be more excited to tell you about some of the things I have been doing in the months leading up to my move to New York City!

I began the New Year working for a really awesome science museum in Charlotte called Discovery Place! I was hired as an actor to do two incredibly fun things: dress up as "Nicola Tesla," wear a moustache, a tall coat, and talk in a Russian dialect, as well as interact with families all day in character! Being in an interactive situation as a historical character has proven to be immensely gratifying! Not only do I get to research in-depth a topic I knew very little about before I started, but I get to answer guest's challenges when they ask me detailed question about my characters life and work. Playing Tesla has been very neat because his story is incredible. He was a man that really just wanted to help out the world and who got severely screwed over at every opportunity. Learning about his story has reinforced some important lessons not to be over-looked in any line of work:

1: always get credit for your work. There will always be someone who can do something better than you, but if you're the first to invent it or do it, make sure you have documentation. For inventors of course this means patents!

2: have a financial consultant or someone to help you make important monetary decisions. Tesla sold all of his patents so that he could continue to invent, but he ended up penniless.

3: appreciate your rivals and competition, they feed your creativity and push you further! Without Edison, there would have been no need for Tesla. Had Edison not opposed AC electricity so fervently Tesla wouldn't have had to prove himself like he did.

If you've never looked into their rivalry, I encourage you to do so. It's incredibly interesting!

Me as "Nicola Tesla"

Me and my awesome co-star Tom Olis as "Tesla" and "Edison"

In addition to working at Discovery Place proper, I have gotten to do some really fun events out on the town with the Arts and Science Council in character.

The first was a daytime lunch event for Duke Energy employees with my co-star Megan as "Necessity: the Mother of Invention."

The next was an LGBT event with the Arts and Science Council in a beautiful apartment in Uptown! The view was as spectacular as the conversation! Artists, never waste a moment to network and promote your talents. This was a big event to do just that and I'm glad I did. Having your business cards on hand will be very helpful if anyone takes an interest in you.

Next up, as one of my last gigs before I move to the big city, I will be playing "Theo Van Gogh" in the "Van Gogh Alive" exhibit opening April 25th and running through June 1st! I encourage you to check it out!

Here's more info!

Until next time,

Jack

A Tuna Christmas: Chicken of The Holiday Season

12/3/2013

Shannon J Hager/XMLPhoto.com Jack Utrata (left) and Tom Ollis will portray more than 20 characters in "A Tuna Christmas."

-CAST

Come see the funniest show of the holiday season: " A Tuna Christmas" at the Carolina Actor's Studio Theatre in NODA! I play 11 different characters with my incredibly ttalented co-star Tom Olis and the fun never stops! Come cheer us on or pray for a wardrobe malfunction, either way, join us for an evening your promised to never forget! Also: Check us out on BroadwayWorld.com!

DEC. 4-22, 2013

Gilweit Theatre @ CAST
Wednesday and Thursday: 7:30 PM
Friday, and Saturday: 8 PM
Sunday: 2:30 p.m.
NO LATE SEATING!

TICKETS
$28 adults; $22 seniors (60+)
$18 (students)
$28 adults; $22 seniors (60+)
Click To Buy Tickets Now
or call 704-455-8542
***
GROUP SALES
GroupSales@NCCAST.com
or 704-968-9849
***

SPECIAL EVENTS

We are doing some pretty awesome events throughout our run including some on-air TV time and here in a run-down of those special days!

FUEL PIZZA FRIDAYS: Ticket-buyers can enjoy complimentary slices of Fuel Pizza (while supplies last)!

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4: Get $1 off any ticket price for the Dec. 4 show for donating a can of tuna or a jar of peanut butter at the door. Your donations will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. (Limit: 5 donations or $5 off ticket price. No advance sales.)

THURSDAY, Dec. 5: "A Tuna Christmas" Holiday Hoedown Fundraiser, featuring dinner from Bojangles' Famous Chicken & Biscuits, open bar, cast meet & greet, wine tasting, door prizes and more. Attire: Holiday shirts and sweaters, jeans. Cowboy hats and boots optional. Advance sales: $50 single; $75 couple; door: $75 single; $100 couple. Tickets are available at NCCAST.com or 704-455-8542.

FRIDAY, Dec. 6: VIP Night for "O Guru Guru Guru" and "A Tuna Christmas." Enjoy a special "Home Style" dinner before the show. At intermission, enjoy complimentary desserts from Amelie's French Bakery and freshly brewed coffee from Magnolia Coffee Co.

SATURDAY, Dec. 7: Tom and Jack are scheduled to be on WBTV Weekend between 6:15 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.

MONDAY, Dec. 9: Wilson's World on WCCB Charlotte is scheduled to broadcast a behind-the-scenes look at "A Tuna Christmas," starting around 6 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11: Get $1 off any ticket price for the Dec. 11 show for each travel size toiletry item you donate at the door. Your donations will benefit USO of North Carolina. (Limit: 5 donations or $5 off ticket price. No advance sales.)

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18: Donate pet food and receive special discounts at the door for the Dec. 18 show. The food will go to Humane Society of Charlotte. Get $1 off any ticket price for each can of cat or dog food (up to 5 cans); $5 off any ticket price for 10 pound bag of dog or cat food. (Limit $5 off ticket price. No advance sales.)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS,
Jack

Letters from Ground Zero

10/16/2013

Everyday something is going to happen that we have absolutely no control over. You don't always know how the events in your life are going to unfold. You couldn't possibly. It's what we do with those events after they happen, how we choose to act and move on from the events that shape us that shows us how much control we actually do have over our lives.

Last weekend, I said goodbye to "Waverly, Ron, Wendy, Nancy, and Andrew." These people who I have gotten to know on the page and fleshed out on the stage for the past 12 weeks. They are not insignificant in any fashion. They have been very meaningful for me. Additionally, I part with my new friends and loved ones who filled those characters with life, who thankfully I will get the chance to see again and continue to love...

My friend Andrew Crabtree passed away early this year and I didn't really get a chance to say goodbye. This show was my opportunity to deal with a painful unexpected event like 9/11, but grieve for Andrew in the only way I know how, through art. His picture has remained on our 9/11 memorial wall throughout the run, reminding me of his love for life and others, as well as his incredible ability to captivate his audience, his loved ones, and his creator.

I went to the 911 Memorial two weeks into the run of my show. It was a powerful experience. An unforgettable, breath-taking, emotionally unprepared for anything I was undergoing, experience. I suddenly felt the gravity of the event that I had only ever witnessed on TV, on the internet, in pictures and movies. I watched plenty of documentaries before the show, several newscasts from the actual day, researched the missing and the rescued, and the many fallen. The impact I felt due to my research was minimal compared to the impact of seeing the actual site, standing between where they were and what they are today. Standing at "Ground Zero." I couldn't help but find myself thinking about the missing character of "Wendy" in "Recent Tragic Events" and if she was indeed at the WTC that day, which tower she would have worked in, did she get out or was she inside when they fell, if she did get out then did she go back and help others or did she run as far as she could away from her smoldering workplace. The feeling I got from sitting there taking it "all" in was heavy. It was something I wasn't altogether prepared for but it was something I very much needed. It was a completion for me of the research and solidification of who my character "Andrew" was. If you haven't had a chance to visit the memorial, do it, and set aside a whole day for it, or at least a whole morning. You'll be surprised how it will grab you and just how long you might stay there lost in reflection.

Let's all be aware. Aware of what "is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time." (David Foster Wallace, 'This is Water'") Life is too damn short not to notice and respond to all the love in your life, life is too short to not be doing whatever it is you feel you we're meant to be doing, life is too short to waste on being angry or forever sad. We can't always make sense of the events that are dealt to us, but we can help to control how we perceive them and how we choose to act. Thank you Andrew for living your life with reckless abandon. Your happiness was ever-present, ever-thriving, ever-changing the frowns around you to brilliant smiles. I miss you.

"Recent Tragic Events" News

9/5/2013

Photo by Shannon J Hager of XMLPhoto.com

"A surprising and moving play about a blind date on September 12, 2001 that morphs into a drinking game and freewheeling debate about fate and free will with the neighbors and a surprise guest." -Playwrightshorizons.org

"Recent Tragic Events" opens Thursday, Sept. 12!
Directed by Michael R. Simmons.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
Click HERE to order online or call 704.455.8542

Sept. 12-Oct. 12.
Opening night: Thursday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m.
Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. No Sunday matinees.
VIP NIGHT for "Elemeno Pea" and "Recent Tragic Events" is Friday, Sept. 13.
Tickets are $28 adults; $22 seniors (60+) and $18 students.

Meet the Cast

Tickets are now on sale for "Recent Tragic Events" at Carolina Actors Studio Theatre in Charlotte where I will be playing the role of "Andrew." I have such an incredible cast and I am so honored to be helping to tell such a touching and emotionally rich story about a time in our countries history that changed the way we live our lives. The show runs approximately an hour and forty-five minutes with one 15 minute intermission. C.A.S.T serves draft beers from NODA Brewing Company as well as other refreshments. Every Friday night is FUEL PIZZA FRIDAYS! Get there an hour before performance time and get yourself a slice! Once you've come, if you like what you see, tell a friend! Keep the magic of live theatre alive and kicking! Thank you all for your support! Can't wait to see you at the show!

-Jack