As Malvolio in Twelfth Night with Arachne Theatre in Prospect Park. Photo by Sarah Jack.
Gabe is a Brooklyn-based actor, director, and tap dancer, once described as looking “like a leprechaun who got caught in a taffy machine.”
Growing up right outside Chicago with a father who was a visual artist and a mother who worked for arts & education non-profits, he was frequently taken to art galleries, museums, and theatre. One thing led to another, and he is now a multi-disciplinary artist based in Brooklyn with a diverse range of credits in theatre, film, and more. He is also passionate about arts accessibility and education and is a teaching artist with the neuroinclusive theatre company Epic Players.
In addition to being creative, Gabe enjoys earl grey tea, chess, and playing with his cat, Rumi.
Storytelling Philosophy:
Theatre, music, and dance exist all around us and it is the purpose of formal performing arts to remind us this is so. Deftly using all the dimensions of human expression engages the audience with reality in new ways, reflecting their own experience back at them or connecting them with a foreign one.
Methodical and patient exploration of a script or story inevitably yields a unique interpretation. Rushing or forcing a choice can damage the story’s integrity. Spontaneity is also essential but requires structure to be effective.
An actor’s imagination engenders belief in the audience. Imagination is most engaged when an actor’s reality aligns with the circumstances, language, and style of a story. Imagined reality can be just as palpable and truthful as physical—theatricality comes when physical reality and world of the play do not align.
Anyone can be a storyteller. An “accessibilty-first” approach to collaboration is essential, built around an actor’s ability, experience, and need, with nothing being prescriptive.
All storytelling is worthwhile and important. While simple and elegant stories can be effective, I especially appreciate storytelling with ambitious theatricality, connection to tradition and community, multi-layered dramaturgy, multi-disciplinary collaboration, and/or a good sense of humour.