John: (Laugh) Well, I don't know.

John (GBMNews): Well, lets start at the beginning, which came first, singing, dancing, acting?

John: Acting came first, I started acting at age eleven and the bug bit me, the first play I did was in elementary school, then shortly after that my parents enrolled me in acting classes, and I've been going ever since.

John (GBMNews): Are you an only child?

John: I have a sister who's 16 years older than I am. We had issues growing up, but now we get along great.

John (GBMNews): So the acting bug hit you first, what came next?

John: When I was 14 or 15, when I did my first musical called "Runaway's" and I was taking a class at a place called, The Young People's School for the Performing Arts and they taught stage, make-up, writing, acting, singing and dancing. That was the first time that I had taken formalize dance training and it just stuck.

John (GBMNews): So the last was dance?

John: Yeah, at 14 with the musical I started taking formalize dance class, then it just continued on and I starting taking ballet classes here, jazz classes there, before that I was what you would call a street dancer, having a sister who's 16 year's older, she was constantly playing the disco records on the old hi fi (stereo), and we use to dance in our living room, my sister use to show me how to do the robot….. (laughing as he mentioned some of the old dances from back in the day)

John (GBMNews): (laughing as I remembered) yeah.

John: Then it came fill circle when I started teaching hip-hop, it kind of brought me back to where I started.

John (GBMNews): So you sing, you dance, you act and you teach, what is that like the teaching aspect?

John: It's fun, its rewarding, I teach adults 18 and older, so I'm getting people who had danced before and are just getting back into it or people who had interested but had never danced, I teach beginners, intermediate and advance. When you get the beginners its really cool because they don't think that they can do it, especially if they are 30, 40, coming into a hip-hop class. I tailor it to who I'm teaching, my student. I break it down easy, starting with the beat then break it down to the rhythm and then showing them if they've had some jazz or ballet training, taking that style and showing them how it can translate into a hip-hop style.

John (GBMNews): Are you originally from Rhode Island?

John: Born and raised.

John (GBMNews): Do you write?

John: I do write.

John (GBMNews): Is it everything, is it poetry?

John: I write screenplays. I've written two short (screenplays) and I'm in the process of writing a third and I'm doing the outline for a fourth right now.

John (GBMNews): What's the process in writing a screenplay?

John: For me, because its different for everyone, for me, its an idea, sometimes it just pops in my head. The first one I wrote, which we just finished, its in post production, is called, "3 days", and that's a romantic comedy, which I intended to be a horror film, it just started to twist and manifest, the characters started to take on a life of their own.

John (GBMNews): So is it a horror - comedy?

John: It's a romantic comedy, no horror in it at all.

John (GBMNews): So its just took on a life of its own and you just went with me?

John: Yeah, and I'm glad because it came out to be a really good short film, as I'm directing, I was able to get some great performances from the other actors.

John (GBMNews): So you are directing this as well?

John: Yes, directed it, produced it, wrote it and acted in it as well.

John (GBMNews): Are you married?

John: I am not.

John (GBMNews): So you are single? Involved?

John: Very single.

John (GBMNews): Because you are a handsome guy, we have to put your photo up, Maybe we can play match-maker for you or something. (laughing)

John: Thank you. (laughing)

John (GBMNews): On the other hand, when would you have time? You are so all over the place, in what you do?

John: My life is very busy right now, I'm really focused on a career in film, I've done a lot of theater, I've done a lot of musicals and dance, so-forth, I'm stepping away from all of that and I want to look into more of the film thing that's jumped into me and pursue it more and see where that takes me. So in regard to relationships, I would have to find someone who's very understanding.

John (GBMNews): Or someone you're working with.

John: I have an issue with working with other artist, but that's just me, it works for some people and that's great but from just having friends who are actors, dancers, sometimes it gets slightly competitive and I can't see coming home to that.

John (GBMNews): I totally understand, otherwise, you wouldn't have all the divorces in Hollywood.

John: When you are on set or you're doing a scene with someone that requires intermittency you have to pull that from somewhere and sometimes you forget that its just a scene.

John (GBMNews): Which could be a good thing.

John: It can be a good thing but it, also, could also be bad!

John (GBMNews): Especially if you are playing a serial killer or something. (laugh)

John: (laugh) It could also cause tension on the set or on the stage, others may think that you are getting better treatment, it gets complicated.

John (GBMNews): Are you gay?

John: Yes.

John (GBMNews): Are you outwardly gay?

John: Yes, have been out since I was 22.

John (GBMNews): Was that difficult for you as an actor? Like if you are playing a straight character or a bi-sexual character.

John: I don't think that its been an issue. If it has I must be too blind to it, when I show up for an audition they don't know. But it doesn't matter to me, I play the character the best way that I can, regardless if he's straight, gay, bi. Usually after I'm cast they will find out, if everyone else is talking about their boyfriends etc. If they ask me I'm going to tell them, but I don't scream off the mountain top but I'm not quiet about it.

John (GBMNews): Understand. Singing, what type of singing do you do? Is it for Broadway?

John: Mostly musical, Broadway style singing, I have a deep baritone, bass voice, so its not something that I could make a pop record with, its good for the chorus. Singing is not the best thing that I do, but I do it because it kind of goes along with the dancing and the acting.

John (GBMNews): And on stage is a different kind of singing, like singing/talking sometimes unless its an Opera or something.

John: Sometimes yeah.

John (GBMNews): If you had to pick one thing, between singing, dancing or acting, which would you pick?

John: Acting.

John (GBMNews): Would you consider a sitcom? Like moving out to California.

John: If it came my way, yes, I would love to say that it would depend on what the sitcom is, but if a sitcom came I would, because there's not a lot of minorities on sitcoms.

John (GBMNews): True, but its changing somewhat, there was a sitcom on the Logo channel called, "Noah's Arc", and there's a new sitcom/drama in producing called, "Christopher Street", based in NY, Manhattan.

John: (Sounding happily surprised) Oh really, I didn't know that.

John (GBMNews): I wrote an article on it (on GBMNews.com) and interviewed the director who's also acting in it.

John: I will check that out.

John (GBMNews): It's a slow process, but its happening.

John: Yes, it is a slow process but I'm glad that we are embracing our own. With Noah's Arc, and the D.L. Chronicles.

John (GBMNews): What would your fans be surprised to learn about you?

John: Surprised to learn about me? I'm very clumsy (laughing) For someone who's a dancer I'm incredibly clumsy.

John (GBMNews): But when you are dancing.

John: But if it doesn't have a 8 count. (Laughing) Also, I'm quiet and shy, I like to spend my nights and home enjoying my family and friends.

John (GBMNews): So you have a social life?

John: Yes, I make time to spend with my friends and family.

John (GBMNews): Do you have any friends in the (show business) industry?

John: None of my friends are in the industry. One of my best friend's is an antiques dealer and a landscaper. Another friend of mine is a mom and I like that. My sister is a regular grounded person, my father is retired, my family, I have a very diverse family, I had a uncle who was a diplomat for the American Embassy. No one else (family & friends) is in the (show business) industry.

John (GBMNews): Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

John: I would like to have a successful production company, making good films and still acting. I have been doing this for 25 years. I hope to be doing this for as long as I can. Regardless if I make money or I don't make money.

John (GBMNews): As my best friend told me, follow your passion and the money will follow you.

John: Money is good but its not necessarily about the money, I love it. I'm learning how to make films and write screenplays, I'm realizing that I have a point of view that I want to get out there.

John (GBMNews): As for your screen work, have you written about any gay characters?

John: The first short film, "3 Days", is a gay romantic comedy. Everything that I've been writing so far, the other 3 screen plays that I'm finishing up, all have a gay character in it, even though, the gay character may not by the vocal point, and might be a part of the ensemble it reflects real life, at this point everyone knows somebody who's gay, being gay isn't the issue, its not the point of them being there.

John informed me that he's spent some time in California and in New York, where he studied and did some theater work, however, his heart and soul is in Rhode Island, where he's witnessing the birth of the arts and he's glad that he's a part of it. He also stated that his family and friends keep him grounded, as he feels blessed and doesn't take them for granted.

John (GBMNews): Do you cooked

John: I could cook, but I don't think you would want it. (laugh) Otherwise, its hamburger helper.

John (GBMNews): Do you sleep in the nude?

John: (embarrassed, suddenly shy, taken off guard- laughing) Yes.

John (GBMNews):(laughing also) I guess that's the Barbara Walters coming out in me. What is "Last Take" about?

John: It's a horror film, about a group of people who go up to Maine to shoot a horror film, and as they start to shoot the film real murders start to really happen.

John (GBMNews): How would someone go about purchasing this? ("Last Take")

John: It hasn't been released yet, its still in production. I like shooting the low budget films because everyone has to pitch in. You don't get real diva attitude.

John (GBMNews): Are you a patient person? Professionally?

John: Professionally, I'm impatient.

John (GBMNews): And in your personal life?

John: It would depend on the situation.

John (GBMNews): The reason I asked is because you sound so grounded and mellow. A lot of people in the "arts" are not.

John: It's taken me a long time to get here, I'm 36 years old, if I'm not going to be patient now, I'm going to die of a heart attack at age 50. I wasn't always this way, when I was in my 20's, I wanted it now, I wanted it yesterday, and there was no reason why I couldn't have it. Now I'm learning about being patient, and whatever it is will come to you.

John (GBMNews): Are you a spiritual person?

John: Spiritual, yes.

John (GBMNews): Before a production, going on stage (to perform), what do you do?

John: For me, I stretch to warm up and then take some time for myself to meditate, just try to put good energy out, forward and hope that audience will enjoy what I'm doing.

John (GBMNews): When you become the character, are you able to disconnect once the scene is over or you hear the word cut?

John: It depends on the character. When I did, "Last Take", I played this really cocky character by the name of Brian, so it was easy to step in and out of, that was not so bad but when I was playing this character, William Channing, in "Straight Face", the character had a little more substance to him, I had to really focus.

John (GBMNews): The character (Bradley in "The Test") when you played the mentally challenge person, what was that experience like?

John: The thing about Bradley in "The Test", it was based on a true story, he wanted to prove so badly that he wasn't retarded, he wanted so badly for everyone to understand that he was intelligent, which his counsel was telling him that he needed to play that card. She (his attorney) wanted to tell the jury that he was slow but when the case went to trail, he was found guilty and sentenced to death. His attorney was proud of him, as he was proud that they didn't think that he was stupid. That was a tough one, a really hard one, we did a lot a work on that one. Paula Kaplan directed that one, she's a psychiatrist. She took us deep into those roles. I had a really good time doing that role.

John (GBMNews): During your free, down time, how do you relax?

John: Spending time with my friends.

John (GBMNews): You have a full plate and everything is connected, like the triple threat, you act, you dance, you sing, you teach. What do you have coming up, on the stage? Are you in any new productions? And if so, how would our readers get information and purchase tickets?

John: Right now, I'm doing a community theatre production of Chicago, it's been running for the last couple of weekends, next weekend is the last weekend. (I'm sad to say that at the time of this printing the production would have ended.) However, they can find out more info on thecommunityplayers.org, and I have a benefit performance for the Women's Cancer Foundation for Women and Infants here in Rhode Island and for M.A.E., the dance studio that I teach at, we are doing a benefit for them, we are doing a few numbers, and that will be my last performance as a dancer.

John (GBMNews): I hope you video tape it.

John: We are video taping it. It's going to be a little emotionally because it's my last dance, but its going to be fun.

John (GBMNews): How tall are you?

John: I'm 5 '8.

John (GBMNews): When you say retire from dancing, is that all styles of dancing?

John: Yes, all types, I'm just going to focus on the film making and the acting, that's what I want the next few years to be focused on, and the screen writing and directing.

John (GBMNews): You might be like a Spike Lee.

John: I would love to be a gay Spike Lee or a John Singleton

John (GBMNews): We need that because we don't have that.

John: That would be my thing because they make movies of characters who happen to be black, I would want to make movies of characters who happen to be gay.

John (GBMNews): Have you experience racism in the industry?

John: No, not really. I think that people may not have wanted to cast me because of my height.

John (GBMNews): Is that because you are so tall? (laughing, he's 5 '8)

John: Because I'm so tall. (laughing), if I've deal with it (racism), I really didn't know.

John (GBMNews): Well thank you John. It's been a pleasure.

John: And thank you John.