A Prologue

Alrighty folks, here goes:

I figure if I'm going to have an internet presence, I better get on the band wagon and figure out this blog thing. Although, the word itself is just disturbing to me, I think I'm getting the hang of it.

So here I am, sitting in my bedroom chair, scatter-brained about all the creative projects I have going on, really despising my sister's dog who won't stop barking, and anxiously awaiting 9pm so I can take another Ambien (love that stuff). Each day, while I sit at work in a half-cubicle, I dream of the things I would rather be doing... sort of like a bored high school freshman. Of course, I'm usually too tired to make any ground on them when I get home.

Sound familiar? Probably. I realize in writing this that I am only one of several gazillion other homo-sapiens who have the same life. So, I take it one day at a time, learning one more element about the things I would rather be doing.

Like acting, filming, writing, photography... or anything generally more creative than telephone support.

Of course, the one thing I need to learn is how to get things started.

Ok, very well:
www.tompyron.com
My NowCasting.com Profile
My MySpace Profile


How's that for getting things started? Easy for a newbie blogger, yes, I know. But I'm proud of it, and every time I go back and look at it, I am motivated to do more. So here I go! What will become an onslaught of posts to keep my ever expanding ego up to date with what my career is actually doing, has finally arrived.

I am, Tom Pyron the Actor!



Where's my director? my hair & make-up specialist? my scene partner? my script, the camera, the stage... the audience... etc. etc. etc.





Oh, and by the way, my photography:
www.tommygunphotos.com

A 540 Film Fantastaganza!

Yowzer! I have not posted since I don't know when. But who cares about any of that bored nonsense.

I was recently honored with the duty of participating on the screening committee for the 1st Annual 540 Film Fest taking place November 5th - 8th in Fayetteville, AR.

My great friend, Cassie Self, emailed me one day and just asked if I would be interested. Once I gathered my glee from bouncing off the walls, I responded with a dedicated YES! Since then, I have met some of the most enthusiastic and artistically hungry people since my days at A.C.T. and film school. It feels like I've returned to the creatively rich environment that I remember, and that really means everything to me. No longer is it one friend who is a film enthusiast that you occasionally find common ground with, but instead, everyone involved is greatly contributing... and learning.

So without further adieu, I will place the plug:

1st Annual 540 Film Festival
November 5th - 8th, 2009
Fayetteville, AR

In addition to the film screenings that promise to be thought provoking, the schedule will be complete with industry related workshops that range from acting for the camera, to pitch practice sessions for writers (if we can work it in).

So if you want to see something different than what Malco Theaters has to offer, visit the website, get your all weekend pass, and experience the magic of the new and much anticipated 540 Film Festival.

The Forgotten Ones

I know this is stupid late, in fact, I had all but forgotten I had posted this blog.

I have apparently somewhat figured out the purpose of the blog, and am going to run with it now. Some things I learn slow in life (like how to raise children, and blogging), and now it is time to attempt to document with taste, my acting and directing achievements to date.

We'll start with the most recent and work backwards:

August, 2008
Rogers Little Theater
Rogers, AR

The inaugural RLT Second Stage production of

MEDAL OF HONOR RAG
by Tom Cole

A story about one man's experience in the Vietnam War, and the aftermath that came with it.

Produced and Directed by Tom Pyron



The Cast:
D.J. - Justin Stewart
Doctor - Jack Krupka
Guard - Tom Pyron

Rehearsal photos by Josh Dooley of The Northwest Arkansas Morning News

Links to press coverage:
http://www.tompyron.com/press.htm



Ok, now that the intro is out of the way, let me start off by saying this has to be one of the most moving performance experiences I've ever had. Not because it was my first time directing, or first time directing AND acting in the same piece, but because of the communal passion put forth by Justin, Jack, and myself, and the overwhelming lessons we all learned by peering into this generation of forgotten warriors.

If there is any way to drive someone clinically insane, give them a Vietnam experience.

Now, I obviously was not alive then, with the only claim to the era I have is that I was born a few months before the war was declared over. Jack Krupka (Doctor), however, was in high school during the time, and brought an experience with him that weighs into the tons. His attachment to this piece may very well have driven him into a depression, which I hope he is out of by now. I know this because he couldn't stop crying the night of one performance. It became very clear to me that evening, the lasting generational effects war has on people for years and years.

Maybe that was my message to people in choosing to do this piece. I don't really know. As an artist, the lesson you learn can most often come from the perceptions of those who witness your work. And this was the case when one acquaintance who came with his wife informed me of his PTSD experience from the first Gulf War, raught with tears. This filled me in on the connection that people have from conflicts that took place decades apart, and for vastly different reasons.



All that being said, and all the changes in perspective and appreciation that I've gained through this experience, I now have a more clear idea of the types of stories that interest me. And this has even broken the genre barrier for some types that I have previously avoided. As long as the story transcends the genre, making the experience uniquely human, I will find my angle of approach.



These photos in this blog are from the first full dress rehearsal we had, about 10 days before the opening night performance. Both Jack and Justin were quite nervous about having anyone see it so early, as they weren't even all the way off-book yet. But the photographer loved it, and even though this was a long night of work, it was one of best rehearsals we had.

These production photos below are provided by DigiFlash Photography. Click on one of them to view the entire album on my MySpace page.


Thanks for reading folks, more to come.

The Monster of Bob Ewell

There are some people you hope you never have to meet. Bob Ewell is one of them.

This post covers the play based on Lee Harper's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Performed at RLT in September of 2007.



So you can only imagine what I had to put through my head to make this one work.

I actually showed up hoping that by a long shot, they would cast me as Atticus Finch. Well, that was wishful thinking, and in hindsight, I'm really not right for that part. So when they asked me to read for Bob Ewell, I just let go. Not because I was comfortable with it, however, but because I didn't care (note to self, do that more often, you'll get more roles). So with my hair down and my figurative nakedness, I went to town on this character. Having grown up in the South, I found the sense of humor he exuded quite easily. Additionally, in the coming weeks of development and rehearsal, drunken redneck character models would be easy to come by.

This would be my first supporting role at RLT, and consequently, allowed me some breathing room as far time went. Those leading roles of past are definitely challenging and fun, but overwhelmingly time consuming. With so few lines to memorize in this case, I put the rest of the remaining energy into the character.

It would turn out, however, that most patrons had to work to recognize me. Especially after presenting the polar opposite character of Leo Clark in Leading Ladies. I was able to take hatred as a relative compliment during the run, with most of the ladies (who normally would stop to introduce) just pass by like the wind. No eye contact, no consideration.

I have never taken rejection so well.

At this point, I'll just pass this one off the production photos. Enjoy!

Links to press coverage of the play:
http://www.tompyron.com/press.htm

Production photos are provided by DigiFlash Photography. Click on any of these photos to view the entire album on my MySpace page.

A Leader of Ladies in Leading Ladies

June, 2007
Rogers Little Theater
Rogers, AR

An RLT Main Stage production of

LEADING LADIES
by Ken Ludwig

Directed by Ed McClure



This was, in many respects, my most fond of theatrical experiences, and my most vile. As much fun as I had with this, I have figured out what it means to be "easy to work with." All challenges of doing a Ken Ludwig play aside, the one thorn that would stick is my relationship with the female lead, Dru Peacock-Wiser.



I'll explain.

My education in producing film had the honor of being graced with the mind of Lloyd Silverman. Lloyd is an Executive Producer, probably best known for his involvement with Snow Falling on Cedars which starred Ethan Hawke. During my time with Lloyd, he commonly exampled a film he produced starring William Baldwin and Anne Parrilaud, Shattered Image. I vividly recall this particular example because of one outstanding thing: William and Anne absolutely hated each other! Here are two stars in a major production, who had to simply get past their discontent for the one person they have to crawl into bed with, in front of other people, and make them all believe that they like each other.

So goes my now working relationship with Dru.



Now granted, if she ever gets to read this, which I doubt she will, I'm certainly not hung up on this (I prefer to laugh at these things). I do, however, consider it a turning point in my experience with acting. Dru is an extremely talented individual, and for that I have an immense respect. Even though, however, we are apparently unable to breathe the same air as one another, at least we are both strong enough and professional enough to look past our seemingly superficial convictions, and pull off a great show.

In my opinion, this show was a grand success. Not only because of the overwhelming response from the audience, but because it taught me, without sympathy, how the suspension of disbelief is far more important than anything going on in my mind off stage. This is why acting requires strength and confidence of self, no matter what your role.

Let me not forget the amazing experience I had working with Joey Farmer. Easily one of the most creative actors I've had the pleasure of working with. This guy's spontenaeity was inspiring. Joey, I wish I was as good as you. Here is an individual who is made for the theater. He makes it fun, on and off stage, and creates an expectation that one can look forward to in rehearsals. A great actor and welcoming party host, I'll do a show with Joey anytime.



The surface challenges with this production are those that come along with doing any Ken Ludwig play, the most prominent of which is PACE. I've since forgotten how many costume changes we all had, but I would shed a few pounds with this show, reinforcing the point of why performers need to stay in shape.



All in all, this show was a blast! I'll never forget the work Caity Church put in backstage, I think she actually worked harder than most of the actors. The tux shirt/jacket that was instantly removable was genius! I do apologize for the amount of times she had to see my bareness up close. The kookiness of Joe & John, and laughable moments those guys created. The halarity behind Dru running down those shotty stairs in those shoes! I am amazed she never face planted. Learning to walk in 3" heels was bad enough for me. And last and more importantly, Mary Jane Finley. While I didn't get many pics of her, unfortunately, she was a major pillar of support for me during this show. I am truly grateful for you, and all the wisdom you so unselfishly offered.



Anywheres, Here's a few more pics, courtesy of Digiflash Photography:

Click here for all production pics from the play.