Tell us about your upcoming project(s).
I’ve been cast as a lead in a feature film with Film Antics, whom I have worked with before. It will begin shooting in the summer. I have a supporting role in Wichita Outlaw shooting this month and I am currently developing 2 short films I’d like to direct and produce myself. I’m a current Studio member at the Meisner Technique Studio and I’m also working on Table One episodes (www.tableone.net).

You’ve been busy since you graduated; tell us about your other projects and what you’ve learned.
I have been busy. I just finished a 5 week run of a production called Sex and Death. I played Gus in Harold Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter, the first of two one act plays for this production by Off-Broadway West Theatre Company. I also finished up an exciting feature film Trash and Progress with the very talented director/writer Abe Dieckman (www.trashandprogress.com) in which I played the supporting role of Willard Dodd. I completed two short films with Film Antics, directed by the very easy going and fun Paul Aspuria, that are destined for the film festival circuit: The Exchange (supporting role) and The Massage Parlor (lead role). I also had a lead role in Redumption with a great group of people from A Song ‘N Dance Productions; it will be screening at the Castro theatre in June. In between these I played an English punk rocker in the feature Chickens in the Shadows written and directed by Vincent Gargiliou. One of my scenes in this is headed to the Faux Film Festival in Portland. I think the number one thing I’ve learned is always try and be a pro on set, rehearsals or stage. Not everything goes the way it should or it takes much longer, so its really important to be a pro. This is a small community we work in and being a professional about all aspects of your craft will only enhance your career.

The Training:

Sanford Meisner: a true acting teacher. He treated acting as it should be treated, a craft.

The #1 thing I learned in class was: LISTEN, just listen. It seems simple but we really do shut off and anticipate instead of listening. If you LISTEN and RESPOND it makes it much easier and truthful. And have fun.

The best advice I can give current students at the Meisner Technique Studio is: put every effort into your work and you will reap the rewards. Work, work, work for each and every class (inside and more so outside the classroom) because these 2 years go by very quickly. It’ll give you such a foundation you will not believe until you start using it.

The #1 thing I’ve learned since graduating: that I really do have a solid foundation.

The biggest adjustment since I graduated: probably dealing with not having people to play with. In class we did this so much…working on scenes and playing outside the classroom.

The hardest adjustment since I graduated: trying to work on a day job and pull off going to auditions etc.

The #1 thing I miss about being in class is: the energy in the class. I was privileged to have such a wonderful class and I miss raising the bar every week with people who worked very hard at this craft. It was a thrill to go to class each week to play and be creative. I miss the sense of ‘achievement’ after each class.

The #1 thing I don’t miss about being in class is: this is a strikeout question for me because I truthfully enjoyed every moment of every class for the 2 years.

Jim said this over and over but I never realized how true it was until I got out and into the real world was: you’ve got to keep working at this. Keep your instrument in good working condition.

The Business:

The Business of Your Dream class was: an eye opener.

The # 1 thing I took from it was: you really need to have your shit together.

Getting an agent:I’m now with Stars in San Francisco. Having trained at the Meisner Technique Studio was a big plus at the interview. And of course my awesome natural Irish accent!!

One year from now: I will have completed at least one of my short films.

Five years from now: I’d like to be a working actor.

The best thing about where you are in your dream is: I’m still doing this.

The #1 thing I wish directors knew about working with actors: we are committed.

You:

If I could work with any actor, it would be: Daniel Day-Lewis.

If I could re-cast a Hollywood movie role with myself, it would be: William Wallace in Braveheart.

My greatest influence(s): All Saints Boxing Club (sporting world), my parents and grandparents (real world), Jim Jarrett (acting world), Mother Theresa (humanitarian world).

I first knew I wanted to be an actor: I guess it was always in there, but the reality seemed too far away. When I got cast in Second Round as an Irish Boxer, the cat got out of the bag and will never return.

I’ll always be: trying to be the best I can in each role I’m cast.

My mother: a wonderful woman who raised 7 kids in tough times in N. Ireland. Totally dedicated to her family; a woman who’d have everyone fed, washed and the house spotless by 9am, every morning! A flyweight with heavyweight power.

My father: charming and hard working. The go-getter. Very proud of his family. One of 16 kids who grew up in a small house. As he quoted “when you awoke in the morning you’d have to scratch 5 or 6 arses before you found your own!”

My #1 problem is: I have great ideas and then don’t follow through with them.

I wish: there was no greed in this world. That would solve a lot of things. I also wish we’d take better care of planet Earth.

I wish Jim had told me: student filmmakers will not always get you a copy of the film! No seriously, Jim covered all the bases.

I wish somebody had told me: it’s important to read at a young age.

Someday I’m going to: run a marathon.

My favorite actor: there are a few right now…Daniel Day-Lewis and Christian Bale.

My favorite film: Grease

When I get overwhelmed: I go for a run or hit the heavy bag. Sometimes I take the short cut and let out a few eff’s!!

The biggest waste: money.

If I were not an actor: it would have to be a professional soccer player playing at the highest level. It’s the playing in front of a full stadium of passionate people, that’s the drive.

Courage: get it!

I’ll never: smoke.

Is there anything else you’d like to say? I’d like to thank everyone at the Meisner Technique Studio for asking me to be in the Actors Spotlight, it’s an honor.

The Meisner Technique Studio would like to thank Conor for taking time to share with us and with all of you. We wish him all the very best.