BWW Interviews: Patrick Kramer, A Life in the Theatre

Patrick Kramer's been kinda busy lately, getting his latest production - Towne Centre Theatre's staging of Ken Ludwig's Moon Over Buffalo - ready for audiences, dealing with recalcitrant actors, praying that snow won't keep audiences away and feeding his own acting jones by doing an audition here and there. It's not uncommon, of course. During his time as an integral part of the Nashville theatre scene, that's pretty much been his modus operandi...like a lot of other theatre types, Patrick Kramer stays busy. In fact, he thrives on it.

A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Kramer earlier this season directed Circle Players' revival of Noises Off. And as accomplished as he is as a director, he might best be known as an actor, tackling some of the most sought-after roles for some of the area's finest theatre companies. For Boiler Room Theatre, he's played Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Sparky in Forever Plaid, Harry Witherspoon in Lucky Stiff and Eddie McCuen in The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. At Towne Centre Theatre, he was Henry Perkins in Funny Money and Charlie in The Foreigner. And that list doesn't even include his onstage escapades as Leo Bloom in Nashville Dinner Theatre's (at the Senior Center for the Arts) production of The Producers or his performance as Matt in The Fantasticks at the Renaissance Center's Gaslight Dinner Theatre.

Honestly, I'm tired just writing about it, but for Patrick Kramer, it's just another day at the office. So to speak. And even with that crazed schedule, he found time to tell us about his "Life in the Theatre," so read and enjoy (and, as Patrick would be likely to add, go see Moon Over Buffalo before it closes!)...

What was your first taste of theatre?

I was in my elementary school's chorus. On top of that, our chorus director also mounted fairly ambitious original theatrical productions once a year. Of course, the chorus was always featured in these shows and after my first one I decided that I really wanted to do more than stand on risers and sing. So my first "featured" role was playing Garfield the cat! My mom went all out crafting a Garfieldesque cat costume! Complete with enough padding to make me appear as though I had devoured my own fair share of lasagna. Suffice it to say after singing my one solo line in "Everybody Wants to be a Cat" dressed as an '80s cartoon cat I was hooked!

What was your first real job (or responsibility) in the theatre?

Immediately after graduating from high school, I auditioned for and was hired by the Opera House Theatre Company, a professional company based in Wilmington, North Carolina. It was my first taste of doing summer stock as I did Kiss Me Kate, Showboat and South Pacific all that summer. It was quite the education as I had never experienced the process of performing one major production at night while rehearsing the next major show during the day. It was also the first time I had ever gotten a paycheck for being on stage - which at 18-years-old was the end all-be all! Plus unlike community theatre, growing up during this summer once you were taught musical numbers and their choreography it was your responsibility to make certain you really knew it! You'd come in one morning...learn the entire opening number to Kiss Me Kate...maybe go over it later that day...and then you'd move on! That was a major learning experience since there was no one holding your hand to make sure you knew your parts, which really helped mold me as a performer I believe.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in theatre?

When I realized I was too short to play in the NBA and too lazy to be an astronaut. Seriously though, I knew performing in front of an audience was something I could never give up after the first time I ever heard that applause. I think that's something every stage actor feels. As for making it a career...I don't know when I finally came to that realization. I think once I started performing on an almost monthly basis as a kid it just became a foregone conclusion that I would be spending the rest of my life on stage. I don't think I ever sat down and just said to myself "You know, I think I'll just do this for a living"...I just can't imagine not doing it! As I've grown and evolved as an actor and now director I have seen my career change as well and I've cherished every moment of it.

Why do you pursue your art in Nashville? What are the best parts of working here?

Truth be told, I sort of ended up here by accident. I had been touring with a small theatre company and during that time my family had moved to Nashville. After my tour dates ended I hit some stumbling blocks such as having my car die and no upcoming gigs so my parents offered to let me crash with them until I back on my feet. During that time I met Cori, my wife, fell in love and decided to make Nashville my home. That was a little over 10 years ago and the theatre community has grown so much in that time. I think in the past decade or so Nashville has really carved out a name for itself as a legitimate theatrical hub in the southeast and to be a part of that is very gratifying. But despite the growth, the theatre scene in Nashville still really feels like a close knit family, which is something I really do love about it. There is a tremendous camaraderie between both the community and professional companies in town and you really do see quite a bit of cross over of talent between the two groups - something you don't often get in larger cities. Plus there really is something for everyone's taste here. If you're into musicals...great, you can get some high quality work; if you're looking for newer, edgier pieces...those aren't difficult to find either.

If you could play any role, direct any work, design any production, mount any production...what would it be and why?

You know I guess I should count myself as very fortunate in that I've been able to play virtually every "dream role" I've ever craved. However, there are still a few elusive roles I've yet to get my hands on. I guess my top three would be the Baker in Into the Woods, Anatoly in Chess and The Man in the Chair in The Drowsy Chaperone. Not only are these three of my favorite shows, these are also three very different characters from one another and yet all of them speak to a very specific part of who I am. I think as actors we are always searching for characters that while not always exactly who we really are...may speak to aspects of our inner psyche that may only be realized and explored through portraying them on stage. I think the three I mentioned above really define me...the father...the seeker...and lastly the dreamer. I know it may sound trite to break it down that way, but if I'm being honest that's really how I feel. As to shows I'm itching to direct...so far I've really only done farces and musical comedies. I'd love to get my hands on a really serious piece if for no other reason than to prove to both myself and my peers that I'm not just a directorial one trick pony.

Who would play you in the film version of your life story?

Matthew Broderick: the reason being that I've played almost every stage role he's ever performed...why not have my name on his resume? Plus, we're both short.

What's your favorite play/musical?

That's a loaded question. I really go through cycles as to what shows I'm obsessed with and really it all depends on my mood and state of mind. But if pressed I'd have to say my top shows at any given time are Chess, The Fantasticks and Urinetown the Musical. Again, three very different shows and like a parent I love each one of them differently...but I could never put one above any of the other two.

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?

Wow! That's tough...let's see...Dick Van Dyke...Cole Porter and Audrey II. Mr Van Dyke, because I consider him one of the greatest and most versatile performs of his or any other generation...and we have the same birthday. Mr Porter, because I consider one the most prolific song writer of the 20^th century and I would love to pick his brain if for no other reason to see how he ticks. And Audrey II, who wouldn't want to hang out with a soul singing carnivorous plant?

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?

Dream big...and never let anyone tell you you can't! Follow your own path and find your own voice. Don't allow the world around you to dictate who or what you should be and always leave everything on the stage.