BWW Interviews: Rare Orion of Greater Lewisville Community Theatre's MEMPHIS

You may have not heard of DFW Community Theatre's newest leading man Rare Orion... yet. In the short 20 months of his theatre career, this unique actor's dance card has been steadily booked. Now, he's looking to expand his body of work beyond his home town theatre and our prediction is he will soon be blowing up stages all over North Texas.

With an impressive background rooted in health sciences (the guy has worked as everything from insurance with liscenses in 13 states, to a stint as an allergy specialist, to a transplant technician harvesting tissue for reuse), Rare now spends his time as a 6th grade science teacher educating the medical technicians of our future. He has pursued an unbelievable plethora of interests in film, special effects, music, and even throws a clean standing back tuck on command.

This weekend Rare opens MEMPHIS at Greater Lewisville Community Theatre as the lead character, Huey Calhoun. During a busy tech week, we sat down with the promising star to get to know him a bit better:

BROADWAYWORLD: How did you initially get involved with theatre?

RARE ORION: About 4 years ago I got the nerve to do karaoke in front of people. I had never really been singing in front of people, that was a big fear of mine. When I did it, I met this girl, and I won't say she was intoxicated with me but she was like "yeah we should do a duet, I love your voice" and I thought "this is weird" and so I caved and we did a duet together. She was like "we should totally be friends on Facebook" and I never thought I'd hear from her again. About a year and a half later she randomly messaged me and said "Hey, I don't know if you remember me, but I really liked your voice and I'm in a musical. I'd like you to come audition."

BWW: You are currently playing the role of Huey in MEMPHIS at Greater Lewisville Community Theatre. What inspired you to audtition for this role?

RARE: I played Huey at another theatre right before this and towards the end of the run I noticed that I did't have that struggle, where usually towards the end of the role I get to this point where I think "this is fun, I'm really having fun, but the run is almost over, I'm tired, I'm kind of ready to take a break." And I just didn't have that. I had this feeling of "I'm not going to get to play this guy anymore, I'm not going to get to share this story" and it was devastating, it nearly broke me into pieces. Then somebody mentioned that another theatre was doing Memphis so I came.

BWW: What has the experience been like working at GLCT with this production team?

RARE: It has absolutely been life changing, and I'm not just saying that because they will be reading this. Again, I'm new at this, so I've done seven shows and five of those have been at the same community theatre in Plano. This was my branch out moment where I think I've grown enough as an actor where I'll go see if other people like what I'm doing. The level of professionalism, whether its our costumes or our direction... its not a giant stage, but the things that we have done with it blow me away.

BWW: What has been a challenging part of working on this show? What has been rewarding?

RARE: One of the things I really love about our director, Larry [Borero], is that he has a lot of really personal conversations with me in order to get to know me. And I've realized lately that its not just to get to know me, its a really cool way to get me to know myself. I've learned that I don't really show vulnerability much, I turn everything into a joke, and the hardest part of this has been figuring how to do something I've already done but reinvent it into something with more depth, more layers, and more of myself so that it becomes genuine as a character.

The most amazing thing is honestly just all the connections and the people. I mean, I really can't top that. And where I want to be in my life, that's the best thing about any of this: the people I'm meeting as friends and colleagues.

BWW: Why should audiences come see this show?

RARE: The story is amazing. There's a lot of stories out there like this one, and they get kind of dark because racism is ugly. Its something that unfortunately we see every day, today, still. Its very relevant. This show really allows you to experience what it was like to live in the 1950's on either side of that curtain. Its funny and sad and you'll go through every emotion. Who doesn't want that? I love rollercoasters.

BWW: What's another show or role you'd like to tackle?

RARE: Little Shop. Its Rick Moranis, Bill Murray (the king!), and Steve Martin, you know. Its a great show, its hilarious, its dark... to see that as a stage play and to be a part of that. That's right up my alley.

BWW: What is the music on the radio now that is inspiring you personally?

RARE: Right now, two people that are really inspiring me to be a song writer and follow my style are James Morrison and James Arthur. They're both amazing, they have these raspy, soulful voices.

BWW: What's a good show gift for people to get for you?

RARE: No plants or flowers because... what's the opposite of green thumb? Terrible. Food! I'm a food guy, but I'm allergic to every kind of dessert. Chocolate, peanut butter, anything that grows on a tree... the list goes on. I just love food. I like sausage and mushroom and onion pizza!

Rare is certainly a one of a kind performer and if YOU are ready to see him tear down the house, join him and the cast of MEMPHIS at Greater Lewisville Community Theatre! The show opens June 30 and runs through July 23 with Friday and Saturday shows at 8pm, Sunday matinees at 3pm. Tickets can be purchased through www.glct.org or by calling the box office at 972-221-SHOW(7469) HOCKADOO!

 

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