When did you first become an actor?

Well, really you’d have to go all the way back to my pre-school. I guess I was around 4 or 5. My teacher called my Mother and told her that everyday at cookies and milk time, which I guess was supposed to be a quiet time, I was getting up in the center of the circle and doing funny little dances and songs, making everyone laugh. So I guess you could say that was the very beginning!

What was your first real role?

My parents signed me up to go to a theater school group in the small town where I am from, Kankakee, Illinois. The group was called the Lilliputian Theater—later they changed the name to the Young People’s Theater. My very first role was the Badger in The Great Cross Country Race but the role I really remember, as my first was Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit.

What was your favorite part?

I’ll tell you any part that has movement and dance in it. When I am doing a funny character dance I am so happy. In this years show I do the Spring dance in When Winter Stayed Too Long and I know Ted and I will put a lot of movement into the roles of the crooks in The Great Mummy Adventure. It should be a happy year!

Are there any actors that inspired you as a performer?

I had so many favorites when I was growing up—some of them you may not know. I thought Danny Kaye was so funny—when we performed at a theater named for him, the Danny Kaye Playhouse in New York, I was very excited. I liked Dick Van Dyke; Ray Bolger—people say I remind them of him; Don Knotts—they were all physical comedians. They had that in common—my kind of comedian. I thought Gene Kelley was terrific, too—so many.

What is your favorite food?

I love a good salad. When I was a kid I hated salad now it’s my favorite thing. I have always liked Italian food. My grandmother—she lived in downtown Chicago--when I was very young would make me this delicious homemade manicotti and lasagna and spaghetti. I am making myself hungry, yum!

What is the favorite place you ever visited on your tour?

There are a lot of great places. I always do say, Lewisburg, Pa is one of my favorite places to perform. The Paper Bag Players go there every year to Bucknell University. The whole town comes out--young people, adults, seniors and they all seem to love the show. The response is always so warm and enthusiastic. Also, I like it when we perform in New York City. I just hop on the subway, go to the theater and when we are finished, it’s back on the subway and I am home again.

What do you like to do when you are not acting?

I am always on the computer. I like to read. I am a big Sports fan.

Who is your favorite team?

I am a big Chicago fan. I have lived in New York City for 15 years but I still follow all the teams in Chicago.

Do you have any tips on being a successful actor?

You have to believe in yourself and always give 100%--even when you aren’t feeling so good you have to give it your all. Work hard, believe in yourself, give it your all---yep, that’s it.

Why do you wear sneakers in the show?

We used to wear a special kind of shoe called jazz shoes. We’d spray paint them different colors but they were very slippery. Sneakers have a much better grip. We can run and jump and dance and not fall on stage. They come in all sorts of colors, which we all like.

Can I be a Paper Bag Player?

When you are the right age—you could audition—that is try out for a part. You just have to be able to sing and dance and be funny. Maybe you could do a Paper Bag Players show of your own at home or at school to practice. Sometimes we have scripts on our website you could use. Write and let me know how it goes.

If you have any more questions for Kevin you can e-mail him at pbagp@verizon.net or mail him a letter at The Paper Bag Players, 185 East Broadway, New York NY 10002