Jack Utrata / Actor / Writer / Filmmaker
Jack Utrata
  • Home
  • About Jack
  • Resume
  • Gallery
  • Media
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Video and Editing Services

The Carolina Way (Part 4)

5/23/2013

0 Comments

 
My next project was another one that almost didn’t happen. I was working a shift at 411 West and when I got off from work my phone had blown up with text messages from a friend Melanie Rio who was very intent on my auditioning for a little show called “Diary of a Somebody.” Now that the show is well past I know that I could not thank her more. I met some of the most wonderful people during that show. What a show it was too, my first role playing a homosexual, a real person from history, and my first Laboratory! show (which is a studio style performance in a classroom.)  I had some of the most uncomfortable monologues to deliver, walls to get frisky with, and try to keep a sense of the chronological order of events of the show. I pulled it off but it got pretty comical in rehearsals when the order got screwed up. Also the English have such funny words for things... sigh. I met my best mate John May (one of those English-folk ;P ) who at the time was a foreign exchange student from Glasgow University in Scotland.  John is one of the most fun-loving guys you'll ever meet and he is a brilliant playwright. 
Picture
Me and John on set of "Diary of a Somebody."
Picture
Me and John at Linda's Bar and Grill in Chapel Hill, NC on his visit this year! He had just seen me as RDJ in the Avengers Musical!
The goofy and delightful Angel Giddens and Cary Simpson stage managed, and Izzy Francke… the hilarious, sweet, bold, and vibrant actress and dear friend shared the stage with me. John May became an instant campus celebrity among the drama crew and we were able to bring him back this year when his play "Baby Blue" premiered as part of the LAB! season! He is such a talented and caring individual and having him so far away all the time is truly a misfortune. But now that I will no longer be in school, the visits will hopefully be more frequent. John, Melanie, Izzy, Angel, myself, (and Nate) have something quite special, whether it is singing "Call Me Maybe" at the top of our lungs, eating Linda's cheese fries, hitting up Bada Wings, seeing Ingrid Michaelson concerts, or going spontaneously to the beach, we experienced moments I'll cherish forever. 

Picture
The cast and crew of "Diary of a Somebody."
Picture
Nate, Mel, Izzy, Angel, John, and myself at Bada Wings in Carrboro, NC
The summer after my junior year I worked with Interactive Theatre Carolina and an amazing company of actors who participate in social-justice theatre which involves performing a scene and engaging in a dialogue with the audience while still in character. That was an enriching experience and allowed me to improv and work on staying in character after the scene was over. It was a heightened experience for sure! Getting to work with Will, Margaret, Paul, Amy, and Sarah was an honor.

 Over the summer I visited New York twice!! Once to see my sister and have an incredible time seeing shows (Hair and Avenue Q) and eating the marvelous eats and then again to help out with Ground UP as props master, this time on "Almost Maine." It was a new experience for me working behind the scenes but I really loved the freedom to pop in and out of rehearsal and still be able to see the city. On my down time I was an extra in an independent film called "Shame the Devil." I was a college student and I just had to sit there and make friends with the other extras in between takes. It was a fun day in the city for sure! At the end of the shoot I got a picture with the main actress Juliette Bennett because who knows maybe "Shame the Devil" will be her breakout performance!

Picture
Me and Juliette Bennett
Picture
Me and the lovely Jessica Sorgi and Emily Marsland
Picture
The networking party with the wonderful host Allen and director Kate Middelton
Picture
The hilarious and incredibly talented Scott Vicari and Bryan Burton
Picture
Me and my amazing sister Lindsey out and about.
 My sister and I got some really great quality time and we celebrated being in the city together by hitting up Scoutmob deals around New York. Wine bars, tapas, gelato, you name it! We had a blast and I utilized my Instagram perhaps a little too much. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Tapas at this yummy restaurant called "The Barrel"
Picture
Some of my favorite adventures had to be getting my first ice cream from the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck, walking High Line Park while eating Bark hotdogs, and seeing Ghost: The Musical twice on its closing weekend (once for free thanks to the outstanding Ghenet Pinderhughes and once by winning the lottery.) 
Picture
Pretty yummy stuff!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
It was an amazing time in the city, I got to work, spend time with the worlds best sister, and confirm my suspicions that NYC is the place for me. What a summer! And little did I know, I still had an incredibly successful senior year to look forward to!!!

To be continued...
0 Comments

The Carolina Way (Part 3)

5/15/2013

0 Comments

 
Over the summer after sophomore year, I moved into my first apartment and got a job as a camp counselor at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center working with K-1 kids on science related programs, and I got a job as a server at 411 West Italian Cafe. Morehead was a great program to be a part of because I got to interact and be silly with the coolest and most intelligent kids I’ve ever met. I also had the pleasure of being introduced to two amazing ladies Karen and Kristen! Karen was a coordinator of the summer camp and Kristen was the sensational materials manager! There was an instant connection between us all at once! Now Kristen is in Chicago teaching and Karen is headed off to Costa Rica! What exciting lives we lead! Thanks for helping to make Morehead a home!
Picture
The three of us Morehead staff at the Durham Bulls Baseball game!
Picture
Karen and I on my last day at Morehead.
I have been at 411 for almost two years now and I have truly loved the relationships I have formed both with fellow staff members and members of the Chapel Hill community. The management and staff have been very supportive of my artistic ventures. Alex, Vahid, Tmac, Lutz, Taylor, Jordan, Deborah, Abby,Trey, Claire, Andrea, Patrick, Brittany, and so many more, you have made my time incredibly memorable and I hope to one day be fortunate enough to find a similar establishment that brings me such joy. Not to mention, 411 West has a killer menu, it has been amazing to eat all of the wonderful dishes for the last two years! I could not have been more excited to have my graduation dinner there. 
Picture
Me, Lutz, Vahid, and Tmac at the opening night gala for "Diary of a Somebody." Amazing people.
My junior year at UNC started on the highest of notes! I had auditioned at the end of my sophomore year for a New York based theatre company called “Ground UP Productions” which is run by Kate Middleton who is a well-accomplished actress, director, and artistic director. The group consists of a bunch of UNC Alumni and puts on shows as well as readings of new works and very often mounts them in NYC. I spent two weeks in NYC in Washington Square rehearsing Richard Greenberg’s “Three Days of Rain” with the amazing Kate Middleton, my best friend Melanie Johnson, and the wonderful Zac Moon. 
Picture
The gang in Madison Square park moments away from enjoying my first "Shake Shack" experience!
Picture
A day of rehearsal in the city! Me, Mel, Kate, Catya, and Zach.
Picture
Stephanie Linas, Melanie Johnson, myself, and Ashley Gunsteen at the UNC Networking Party. Now all UNC Alumni!
Picture
Members of Ground UP, the cast, and some crew for "Three Days of Rain" at the UNC Networking Party!
The show was unlike anything I had ever done. It involved playing two different but related characters. If you don’t know Greenberg’s work go out and see something and read his plays, you will experience something profound. That production will always be so special to me because it formed my relationship with Melanie Johnson. 
Picture
Melanie and I in line to hear Michelle Obama speak at Carmichael Arena in 2012.
Picture
Mel and I on graduation day walking to Kenan Stadium for the big event! May 12, 2013.
This girl is not only an incredible actress, and friend, but such a beautiful human. Her plans are sending her to LA after graduation and I could not wish her more success and happiness! All of the silly voices we put on, drag shows we attended, and dance floors we lit up have prepared us for this next step. I cannot wait till we share the stage or screen together again! 

After the amazing time in New York, the shows, and the networking parties, we flew back to Chapel Hill and put on one hell of a show! And perhaps the most appropriate part of the whole Ground UP experience was that the show was right during a horrendous hurricane which detained several members of the artistic team. Regardless, we still had an incredible run and waited out the literal “three days of rain” in glorious celebration!  
 
My thanks to the whole Ground Up team and Kate for opening their doors for undergrads and opening their hearts to us as friends. My love goes out to the entire company as we all recently lost the remarkable and irreplaceable Dan Wheeless. His work and his memory will live on in all of us who had the pleasure of knowing him. I dedicate this post to you Dan. Thank you for sharing your talents and your heart with us all. 

Picture
Dan and I after the closing night performance of "Three Days of Rain."
To be continued...
0 Comments

The Carolina Way (Part 2)

5/13/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Me and my friend Tanya at the homecoming football game sophomore year with the real Ramsey!

My sophomore year was a wonderful transition from Elon, but it was made so wonderful because of my friendship with another transfer, the lovely and incredibly funny Meghan M. Megan and I had done theatre together in high school as well, so we knew each other very well. Having her on campus just made things so much easier and it also led me to many additional friendships such as her friend Tanya (who is pictured above.)
Picture
Me and Meghan dressing up for one of the many college theme parties!
Picture
I made her pose for so many photos. I like my pictures!
The friendships I have made at Carolina have been very fulfilling. I made most of my friends through doing what I love: performing!

All Shook Up was my first lead in a full scale musical at UNC so it will always have a special place in my heart. I got to perform in Historic Playmakers Theater which was newly renovated and incredibly tiny for our humongous show and cast! It was a tight fit but somehow we pulled off the spacing. Being in musicals is so thrilling. I always seem to forget how much fun I have singing and dancing! But Meleah Faucette's choreography was so funky and exciting that it was impossible to forget how much joy dancing brings!    
Picture
Dancing away the evening with the cast of "All Shook Up"
Picture
The enchanting Lauren Josey who was my dance partner for the opening number!
Picture
Me as "Chad" posing backstage with his adoring fans!
Picture
Taking a break backstage of the Historic Playmakers Theater.
“All Shook Up” also introduced me to the lovely Natalie Pelletier who played opposite me. Over the years, Natalie and I have grown very close, I am so thankful to call her my friend and I am so excited to see where LA takes her after graduation! 
Picture
Me and Natalie celebrating my 20th birthday after a night of rehearsal, 2011
Picture
Me and Natalie at the Dramatic Art graduation, May 12, 2013.
All Shook Up was my first and last full length musical with Pauper but it was not the end to my involvement. I was a double major at UNC and aside from my Dramatic Art degree I was also working on my Communications degree. I decided to try and blend my interests and applied and was accepted as Pauper’s videographer and have served as such for the past two years. Being able to share their impressive work with the community has been incredibly rewarding and putting together video promos reaffirmed my love for video editing. 

Picture
Me and Haley backstage during Bway Melodies!
Picture
Me and Haley on the last day of class senior year sitting on the quad!
I met one of my best friends here at UNC during my time in “Bway Melodies” and in “All Shook Up”, Haley Scruggs, and I could not be prepared to miss her more after graduation. I could not be more thankful to Pauper Player’s for providing me with  what I hope are some incredible life-long friendships. The Pauper bond is a special one and I’m going to miss all the fun, the drama, and the unexpected adventures. The end of my sophomore year was my first Pauper Players Penny Awards in which I was honored to take home "Best Debut Performance" for “Glee The Musical” and "Best Actor" for “All Shook Up.” What a year it had been.

Picture
Accepting my very first "Penny."
Picture
Me and my lovely dates for the "Penny Awards."
My first year also marked my first encounter with the lovely Kate Middleton from Ground UP Productions whose voice over workshop I attended after seeing their UNC collaboration show “Letter From Algeria.” From that point on Kate’s group was something I became very interested in being a part of.   
Picture
Me and Kate Middleton at the Voiceover Workshop with Alumni Bryan Burton!
To be continued...
0 Comments

The Carolina Way (Part 1)

5/10/2013

1 Comment

 
Last night I gave my two weeks at the restaurant I work at in Chapel Hill. Nothing that has happened recently, such as the last day of class, my final exams, etc. has really given me a sense that college is over. But last night telling my boss that in two weeks I will be leaving Chapel Hill for good really hit me. My three years here (3 because I started college at Elon University) have really been full of the richest experiences that I could have hoped for.

Picture
Leaving the morning of move-in for UNC.
Picture
Me and the Chancellor Holden Thorp
Coming to UNC I jumped right into theatre and found the amazing LAB! theatre group which is completely student run. My first show at UNC was “From Up Here” by Liz Flahive and it was my first connection to the students and friends that would become a permanent fixture in my life while here. I got a chance to witness the talent that my program possessed and learned a lot about Viewpoints and various approaches to character work. 

Picture
The cast of "From Up Here" at the opening night gala.
Picture
Sharing the stage with Nicola Vann and Chris McMahon
My next project was sort of a happy accident. Having been involved in musicals heavily in high school I was having withdrawal since I hadn’t been involved with one since my time at Elon. I found out about this musical theatre group on campus called Pauper Players and they were doing a show called “Broadway Melodies.” The show is three student written pop-culture based musicals that are paired with popular broadway musical numbers with changed lyrics to fit each shows context. That year they did “Mean Girls: The Musical”, “A Very Tarantino Musical”, and “Glee: The Musical.” I remember that I auditioned with “Something’s Coming” from “West Side Story" because at that time I had no idea what a musical theatre “book” was and I thought it was totally acceptable to make a cut of Bernstein and Sondheim. Alas I did make the cast as both “Aaron Samuels” in “Mean Girls” and “Will Shuster” in “Glee.”
Picture
Teaching Cady all about Calculus! With Devon Haas!
Picture
The final number in "Mean Girls"
Picture
Instructing the members of the Glee club!
Picture
Getting my flirt on with Emma (Emily Ellis).
I had such an incredible time during that two weeks of intense rehearsal and performance. At that time we still had our performance space called “The Cabaret” which unfortunately was torn down last year to make way for the campus Wendy’s. Truly a loss to the Pauper community. The Cabaret had been around since Pauper’s founding in 1989. To say the least, it is greatly missed. 
Picture
Hanging out backstage with some of the greats! Devon Haas, Meredith Parks, and Haley Scruggs!
Picture
Closing night with cast members of various sets! Also my first introduction to the incredibly talented Jessica Sorgi!
 During that same time, Olivia Myrick who co-directed “Mean Girls” and played “Rachel Berry” in “Glee” convinced me to audition for Pauper’s spring musical “All Shook Up.” We were in the middle of rehearsal for “Broadway Melodies” and she basically kicked me out and made me audition. I couldn’t have been happier to have received that kick because I was literally the last person to walk into the audition room (and sing “Something’s Coming” from “West Side Story” of course) and after a round of callbacks I had another role at UNC to look forward to!
Picture
The cast of "Mean Girls"
Picture
The cast of "Glee"
To be continued...
1 Comment

    Author

    Actor. Tar Heel. Son. Brother. Server. Explorer.

    Archives

    July 2015
    April 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    July 2014
    April 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013

    Categories

    All
    Theatre

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.