Acting a release for Jeremy Taylor
By Aimie Pizano
A&E Co-Editor
Jeremy Taylor sees acting as a new form of expression.
“When you are on stage, you actually get to be someone else for a while, which is really freeing,” he said. “It’s a release from everyday life.”
He didn’t start acting until two and one-half years ago.
“Throughout my life people have always told me I was such a ham, that I should perform, and I never really took them seriously,” he said.
One day he was interested in seeing a play but had never considered performing in it until he saw an audition ad in the paper. He decided to just try it. And he got the part in Stge 212’s production of “Mr. Roberts” as Dolan.
Taylor also played Mac Sam in last year’s fall production of "The Miss Firecracker Contest." This year, Taylor plays David in the fall production of “Murder on Center Stage”. David is an energetic 20-something college student who is in love with Sharon played by Nicole Rice. He is horrified by the events that take place in the play.
“Mostly, David is driven by his feelings for Sharon and that’s a new aspect for me because, having a moderate amount of experience with that in real life, but not a lot of experience I have yet to do it on stage. It offers a new challenge," he said.
Director David Allen Kuester says, “The best thing in the world that Jeremy has going for him is his willingness to learn and try new things. One of the big strengths he has is the ability to ingest criticism . . . he works on stuff and he’s striving to perfect things. Even though he’s young he has a versatility about him in the characters that he could play because he’s willing to put himself into the shoes of other people."
Taylor has also taken acting classes at Act 1 Studios in Chicago.He started classes in the spring of 2000 and took a break a month ago. He is starting again this spring.
“It offered a lot of experience for me because I was able to work with professionals and kind of get a different aspect on it,” he said. “I did get to learn from them and see where I hope to be someday. It’s an ongoing process. You never stop learning.”
He has also has written an absurdist comedy called “Strangers in Wedlock”. It’s a commentary on modern day relationships.
“There is a lot of emptiness in some modern day relationships, not just in romantic relationships but relationships in general. I don’t think people get to know each other as they should sometimes and it’s kind of a parody on that.”
He hasn’t produced the play yet but is considering it and there could be a casting call soon.
James Dean and John Cusack are Taylor’s major influences when it comes to acting. He doesn’t pattern his acting like them but respects them for their versatility and individual style.
Asked why he attends IVCC, he says, “It’s a smart financial move and just makes sense."
His received the Theatre Tuition Waiver Scholarship and is the C.A.S.T. president. He is planning to transfer to DePaul University and major in Psychology with a minor in Theatre.
As for acting, he said, “I hope to act at DePaul and see where that takes me."