Smashing the moulds

Turning points in life

It was intimidating - overwhelmingly so - so much so that it took me three months to reach out.

It was intimidating for me. I didn’t see other, older, more experienced people as my equal. Why the hell would an old, seasoned pro with his experience want to talk with an untalented screw up like me.

Rob had toured internationally with award winning mask and movement companies. He had his own show and had others performing it all over North America. I had cast myself into a small version of myself, a small role in the world. Connecting with someone like Rob was outside of my mould.

Rob as it turned out was a great guy. He became a friend, mentor and employer. He taught me a lot about what to do and what not to do as a touring performer. He really showed me the ropes.

He also shared with me his skill as a mask maker. While in theatre school in California, I learned not only mask performance, but mask making as well. Rob helped me take my mask making to places I didn’t know were possible.

We’d …