Tell us about your upcoming project(s).
I am currently producing and acting in a feature film, Roxie. It is a wonderful story with a wonderful cast. We should have it out of post-production at the end of the year and will be submitting it to film festivals all around the country.

You’ve been busy since you graduated; tell us about your other projects and what you’ve learned.
I was in The Ride that was screened at the Sonoma Film festival last year. A 30-minute film, Sisyphus, featuring me, just screened and is going out to festivals. There are many other films that I’ve had smaller rolls in. I’m lucky to be associated with some up and coming filmmakers. The learning for me is to trust myself and not compare myself to others. I feel like my ongoing journey is to keep letting go and drop all my inhibitions. Simple, right? As a producer I have learned bucket-loads about what it takes to get a film made. I will call that happy-stress.

The Training

Sanford Meisner: stands out as a pioneer and is one of the most important teachers of American acting ever.

The #1 thing I learned in class was: to listen and to sensitize myself to what is coming at me.

The best advice I can give current students at the Meisner Technique Studio is: do the work and enjoy the ride. You can get your life out of your participation in this class.

The #1 thing I’ve learned since graduating: it is necessary to keep my instrument sharp.

The biggest adjustment since I graduated: taking charge of my destiny by producing and creating a team.

The hardest adjustment since I graduated: because I am in the Studio it feels like the adjustments are not hard.

The #1 thing I miss about being in class is: actually, I’m a lucky person because I am a member of the Studio and I still have the opportunity to workout with my fellow actors. I also have the blessing of teaching for Jim at the Meisner Technique Studio. I do miss the rigor of the classes.

The #1 thing I don’t miss about being in class is: can’t think of any.

Jim said this over and over but I never realized how true it was until I got out and into the real world was: Well, I was playing in a bit of the real world for awhile before coming to Jim’s class so I think what it would be is to not give a s&@t what others think.

The Business

The Business of Your Dream class was: something I would like to take again. Very valuable.

The # 1 thing I took from it was: audition techniques and preparing for the audition. My biggest challenge is auditioning.

Getting an agent: I had a few agents in Philadelphia and when I moved here 6 years ago I didn’t pursue an agent because I just was no longer interested in doing commercial work. However, many films are being made here and it might be time to find that special agent for me.

One year from now: I am working on my second feature. (Hopefully one I wrote or co-wrote.) Traveling to festivals to see the screening of Roxie.

Five years from now: I am collecting awards for the films I’ve made and there is always well-paying work being offered to me.

The best thing about where you are in your dream is: I really don’t have time to listen to people questioning whether I can or not.

The worst thing about where you are in your dream is: just wish it came sooner.

The #1 thing I wish directors knew about working with actors: that good actors bring their own creativity to the party. So many directors treat actors like puppets. I think that is because many actors are not trained to do anything other than what they are directed to do.

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: it is not Hollywood but I always said that I would have loved to play Kramer on Seinfeld. Also, my dream was to be on Deadwood.

My greatest influence(s): actually the thing that got me started was musical theater. I just loved the dancing and singing and happiness.

I first knew I wanted to be an actor: I appeared in the chorus of a lot of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. After a year and a half of voice lessons, I nailed a principal role as Private Willis in Iolanthe. I opened the second act with an aria and when that spotlight hit me I thought, “I’m in love.” Little did I know where it would take me.

I’ll always be: right handed.

My mother: Harriet of Ozzie and Harriet.

My father: Ozzie to mom’s Harriet.

My #1 problem is: not letting go.

I wish: I didn’t have to do anything other than act for a living.

I wish Jim had told me: I’m sure there is something. I’ll let you know.

I wish somebody had told me: High school was torture. I wish someone had told me that they didn’t matter and that I was beautiful all by myself. Of course, then I would have to be able to hear that.

Someday I’m going to: die and leave what money I have to my nieces and nephew.

My favorite actor: Johnny Depp, Daniel Day-Lewis, Robert Deniro, Nicole Kidman (Yes, no kidding).

My favorite film: Wild Bunch & English Patient

When I get overwhelmed: I curse a lot. But I get over it quickly.

The biggest waste: are people who don’t believe in global warming. They have got to be kidding.

If I were not an actor: I would be a fireman. Okay, maybe not. I would be a fine artist (I did go to art school after all).

Courage: I love this word.

I’ll never: stop.

Is there anything else you’d like to say? I have 560 skydives and jumped out of a 727 twice. You can find me at www.usner.us

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