Wednesday, January 18, 2006

One of the funniest, coolest, most unflappable characters in Portland theatre today

Interview by Followspot (2MB pdf)
January 2006

Tom Moorman’s quite the character. He directs A Devil Inside. He performs Mac Wellman. He’s fascinated by figuring out how Philomele should bleed when her tongue is cut out in Love of the Nightingale. And he’s even been written into a play as a character smoking joints with lesser demons.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

"it's like magic, only bloody." i heart tom moorman. he is a hilarious, imaginative, thoughtful and, indeed, unflappable artist! i have enjoyed working with him and watching him work. what a great profile. i feel like i just spent an hour with tom moorman. except…you know…without the beer.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting. I like the vision of Portland becoming THE place for small theatre. Maybe a grass roots summer play festival of new material in all the small spaces? Does something like this already exist? Like the theatre equivalent of the music festival. You buy one ticket and can see as much stuff as you want.

Anonymous said...

Tom's the man!

Anonymous said...

Tom Moorman is a good man, but if I ever cast him as Hamlet, we would have to reconcile our different interpretations of why Hamlet doesn't take action until the end. Or, whether it's even true that he doesn't. But I respect him anyway, I guess.

La Foi said...

"I guess"? His different interpretation of Hamlet makes him someone you respect less?

Very interesting profile. I like all the talk of small theatres and Portland as an incubator for the arts. And the city giving space to theatres and artists! Amen to that.

Anonymous said...

I'll jump on the I love Tom bandwaggon. It's good to have you in P-Town, Tom. You do great work. You're a joy to have around.

Anonymous said...

Tom has a more comprehensive, well thought-out approach to theatre than almost anyone I have met. From Design and Performance to Administration and general Leadership. He would be a valuable asset for any theatrical organization, and Vertigo is just damn lucky we got him.

Anonymous said...

He won't be Vertigo's long, Neal, if you keep talking him up like that. Protect your asset! Tell everyone he's merde!

Anonymous said...

He's merde! He's merde! ... I don't know what that means...

What I DO know is that I'm the luckiest Son-of-a-Bitch in the world for running across Tom's path, and I am indebted to him FOREVER. So, I'm not going to say how great Tom is or how perfect Tom's interpretation of Hamlet would be or how he makes the best sandwiches. NO! I'm just leaving it at "I'm indebted to Tom forever." Congrats. Go to hell. Whatever.

Call me.

Anonymous said...

As his sister, I have to say, beyond his amazing talent as an artist, he is a great person as well. His passion for theatre has always been there, yet it has evolved and grown through the years. He sincerely cares about those he works with and considers them part of his family.

It is always such a pleasure to see theatre in Portland. Everytime I visit, I anticipate the next Theatre Vertigo show with all the talented and dedicated actors. Thanks for such great memories....and of course, making my fiance...God. See you all soon!

Anonymous said...

Nah. Don't much like the fellow. He never listens to me when I have a problem. He always says.."later, man...later" That man is nothing but trouble.

Anonymous said...

(singing)
"Oh we got trouble ...
Right here in River City ..."

Anonymous said...

Thats not trouble, thats Garland. If you know him, you know thats his sense of humor.

I wasn't going to comment on this, but I figured I would explain that at least.

Tom

Anonymous said...

Garland IS trouble, nothing but!

Anonymous said...

Hmmm... A small theatre festival - sounds great!

Us crazy kids at PATA have been tossing around the idea of a fringe festival (there will be a networking event about it the week after the Drammys in June) - is there something inherently different implied by the term "fringe"? Is that good or bad? Will Garland be in every play?

Anonymous said...

Is garland considered fringe during the non-Christmas seasons...?