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Sam Prince 0:05 Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a great actor on stage or television? Do you wish you had an acting coach to help you get to the next level? Or maybe you just have a great idea for a movie series are played but aren't quite sure where to start? Well, you are in the right place my friend. My name is Sam Prince and I am the director of a production company here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and have been an actor for over 30 years. I've directed and written plays, and screenplays and taught many acting classes. This podcast is your place to learn how to move forward with your career in acting, theater, film, playwriting, screenwriting, and much more. There will be inspiring conversations with special guests as well. So welcome to the creative torium podcast, and action. All right, welcome to the creativity dorium podcast. Thank you for joining us. I'm your host, Sam Prince. And I'm here with my very good friend, Jason, Fandi. belgard. How are you, sir? Jason VandyBogurt 1:35 Good. How are you doing, Sam? Sam Prince 1:38 I'm great, man. I'm great. Thank you for joining me, man. I I pleasure. I was thinking about how we met and we met doing Chanda Jason VandyBogurt 1:50 April. That's right. Yeah. We went back to that one. Yeah, Sam Prince 1:55 right before COVID. Mm hmm. Which sucks because we didn't get to work together because I just it just was too hard. Yeah, just, it was too crazy, man. We're trying to make it happen. Jason VandyBogurt 2:09 That's right. As life happens, man. Life. Sam Prince 2:12 Yeah. But what I was impressed. I was impressed by you. But I thought everybody was a great actor, actress. And original cast. I was just, I was wowed by how great we were doing. Mm hmm. You know, Jason VandyBogurt 2:27 yeah. That was a it was a great thing to see. That's everybody flowed well together, I think. And it just, it was fun. It was enjoyable. It was Sam Prince 2:38 fun. It was fun. Yeah. So tell everybody about Jason, you know, and about how you got started in acting and how you fell in love with it and what you're doing now? Jason VandyBogurt 2:51 Right? Yeah. Well. So as Sam said, I'm Jason. And this is a started doing acting about, I don't know, five, maybe six years ago, I've been just trying to get into a show, just to be a part of it. Pretty much because the wives said, you know, you stay home all the time you try get out and try something. So she was an actress before back in high school. And she suggested I should do that because I had a natural ability of just facial expressions. Okay, and that was a funny guy. So that was part of the sale. So I gave it a shot about five years ago when looking through. I didn't know about any other theaters. So the only theater I knew about was kind of a Pacific Theater. So my first show was back in 2008, teen night. Number the Stars at greater Pacific Theater. What was the name of the show again? Sam Prince 4:00 Number the Stars Number the Stars. Okay, right. Yeah. Jason VandyBogurt 4:06 And I just say I was obscenely nervous trying to do my first show and it was a lot of fun. And Sam Prince 4:15 I was telling us about your role and that was a pretty, pretty large role. Jason VandyBogurt 4:21 Now, I didn't really get many major big roles until later in the acting career, but this one I would play Papa Johansson. So I played a dad. Okay, okay. I feel like I've got typecast but it was a great show the kids that it's okay it was more of a kid show and then the pair on for the ride. And but it was it was a blast do kids were amazing. And that one I thought was a good it was a good show to be a part of and then once I got into that show had the first final bow of that show. Like, I need to do another one. So, after that it was I went straight into trying to audition for more and more and more and then I finally tried to do a musical. I was like, I've never really done a musical. I don't think I'm a good singer, but give it a shot anyway. So I audition again at Civic Theatre, because again, I didn't know about any other theaters. Disney's The production of the Newsies, and somehow by the miracle of God, I got into that one. I didn't sing, but I played Whitesell in that one, that was a blast. Sam Prince 5:48 That's great. That's great. I wanted to ask, well, first of all, I want to tell the audience that Jason has a cat, so you're a parent. I love it. I love it. My dog sometimes interrupts me, man. She might today so nothing wrong with that, man. I love pets. Yeah. Jason VandyBogurt 6:08 A little bit noisy sometimes. Sam Prince 6:12 Cats are way less noisy than dogs. True. Is this true? Yeah. Yeah. I'm Jason VandyBogurt 6:21 attacking and kind of pushed me forward. Sam Prince 6:23 Yeah. Well, I want to ask, I want to go back to you talked about you did the bow. Like number of stars. You're like, I gotta do this again. Huh? What? Tell me about that feeling like what, what? What was so amazing about the experiences? You're like, I got to do this yet? Jason VandyBogurt 6:43 Ah, well, it was just it was just so much fun. Made a lot of good friends. People that I talked to consistently still. Yeah. There's just there's so good. You could see a talent that forces you to try to become better. Sam Prince 7:04 Yeah. And it's Jason VandyBogurt 7:08 want to become but just more enjoyable to having making it enjoyable for people to watch and listen to. Yeah, it was Yeah. It became a hobby. So once it became a hobby, I kind of fell in love. And that was just game over after that. Sam Prince 7:24 Yeah. Yeah. No, it's infectious. Really? Yes. Yeah. Okay, so you did Newsies, and that was awesome. Well, came after that, Jason VandyBogurt 7:39 I think after Newsies was a production through Middleville production Theater, where I played, which that show, I got my first lead role. And that was done. Okay. That was just a story about a guy. basically telling a story from his beginnings to a parent passing away and having to take the journey journey Sam Prince 8:11 to Jason VandyBogurt 8:16 as a kid, as they're a younger, they kind of went on a lot of trips together as a family and the daughter, the mother, and the Son, Don, came back home and visited with the mother because the father passed away. And so after that, it was all about Don, taking a journey back through time. Like he would go back from in the past to, over this journey to the same route, they would take on family vacations and stuff and leading him at the final resting place of where they used to meet and all this other stuff. It was, it was a hard, it was a very hard touching moment, at the end, a couple of times almost caught myself actually crying in the audience. That was kind of was pretty, pretty emotional. But it was a it just shows that I was able to get into the character a little bit better there. Sam Prince 9:11 Yeah. Yeah. That's awesome. Wow. So you actually actually searched materials a couple of times? Jason VandyBogurt 9:20 Ah, I've done that a few times. Sam Prince 9:22 Yeah. Yeah. You know, and it's, it's interesting that you said, you got into the character because you hear a lot of actors talk about our directors or whoever tell them you know, think about something sad. Mm hmm. I don't think that junk works, man. I think it's, Jason VandyBogurt 9:43 no, it really doesn't. You got yourself in that character's shoes, become that person. And then when you become that person, you feel in the moment of what's actually happening. And that kind of pushes you through to the actual emotions of what the actor is feeling, or that characters Sam Prince 10:00 And. Exactly, exactly. So I'll say, you just got to get into what that good feeling. Yeah. Wow. Okay, cool. Okay. And then what was that today? Jason VandyBogurt 10:14 Oh, sure. Let me think I think after that one was our show together the Sam Prince 10:20 Frederick okay. Jason VandyBogurt 10:23 And then no one chanted and then Oh enchanted, right sorry. Yep. And then it was and then the funniest thing happened after enchanted in April kind of just you know flubs just kind of fell apart in my life as well as kind of busy. And I kind of took up, I got a, I got an email from you saying that you needed help with a show, asking if I wanted to audition for it. So they are I'll give it a shot. So I came in audition for Frederick, the show that you produced there. And that was a blast to be a part of. And during that same time, not even not even a week after you sent me that email, I got another email from another actor. No, through Civic Theatre to come audition for the show life derailed, which is a comedy over a master X theatre. Which was actually pretty, it worked out really well. Because in Frederick, I played a couple of smaller roles, but very important people in the Life of Frederick. And then in life, the rail kind of gave me a little bit of a reprieve from the seriousness of Frederick to have actual comedic character. The rail became a comedy kind of getting a good balance. So I didn't have to constantly be a part of the ruthlessness of what Frederick had to be a part of. Sam Prince 11:52 Right, right. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And somehow you practice both at the same time, and boom, off. Yeah. Yeah. That's awesome. And then, yeah, so that was, that was probably a little crazy. Jason VandyBogurt 12:11 It was a little bit crazy. I was tired. I was a little bit exhausted having to do with rehearsals every day at master arts. And then when we started doing our tech week for Frederick, I had to miss two weeks worth of rehearsals that laughter rails and that was, that was a little rough. Because when I came back, it was like the author that wrote life, the real came to those two weeks, that was God. So she said she was a little nervous about who would play her the characters and how she wrote it out. And but she said, so she wrote this note afterwards, saying that she shouldn't have worried at all because I played it the way that she exactly intended it, which was pretty intense. Which is a great compliment. From Yeah, from the author. But Sam Prince 13:03 yeah, that's great. That's great. All right. So then you're doing something now, right? Yeah. Yeah. Jason VandyBogurt 13:13 We're working on another show. MasterChef theater. There is a show called the greatest Christmas Pageant Ever. So if you're into the whole Christmas spirit, and the whole wanting to watch a Christmas, come give that a shot. It's a it's gonna be a it's a good comedy, but it also has a good story behind it. Sam Prince 13:39 It was like going up. Jason VandyBogurt 13:41 That goes up in two weeks. Our first show is not this Thursday, but the following Thursday. Sam Prince 13:47 All right. All right, Masters theater. One weekend, two weekends, Jason VandyBogurt 13:53 patch three weekends, they're Sam Prince 13:54 three weekends, all right. I want to help every single one of you achieve your dreams. Whether it's acting, screenwriting, play, writing, play producing, whatever it is, I just want to help you so go to sampler dot productions. That's Sambre dot productions, Sal br and click on available classes and you'll see every single possible classes you can take to fulfill your needs. And if I can help you achieve your dream. How cool is that? Remember Samer that productions see you there Well, that's awesome, man. I mean, it's just really what he gave me three years of work so far, three, three and some change. Jason VandyBogurt 14:54 Yeah, yeah, it's about three and a half. Man. Yep, Sam Prince 14:59 yeah. That's a great first three years, man. That's great. You know, we're going to talk about that, you know, just some advice you can give folks to get into the acting world. But I mean, I'm just I'm proud of you for doing all that. short amount of time. Jason VandyBogurt 15:18 I appreciate that. Sam Prince 15:20 Yeah. So real quick, I just wanted to thank you for being in Frederick. Jason played William Lloyd Garrison and Edward Covey. Two opposite characters. For sure, you know, Oh, yeah. What wonder abolitionists against slavery and other one is very much pro slavery. So he just gave a great. He just did so well. You know, I just want to thank you for that. And, you know, just real briefly. You know, Tony, about your experience without him. Jason VandyBogurt 16:03 For you, yeah. So, just dealing with Frederick. We discussed earlier it was, it was between the two shows. So having to put my switch my focus between a comedy lightheartedness to a another show that's very serious, real world situation. Yeah, it's still going on in the world today, which kind of sucks, obviously. But. And like you said, Sam, I had to play two separate personalities. A slave trader and a, an abolitionist. I have to be honest with you, my favorite part of that entire show was being William Lloyd Garrison and just yelling and screaming at the rally. That was my favorite part of the whole show. Yeah, just getting into that his character and having to try to switch between a demeanor of someone who just is really racist towards the person, where I'd like to decide like, was he racist? Or is that just how he grew up? And is that what is that the only thing he knew? So I had to really dive into that character and figure out what he was really hard having to be that character. And because like, I have to, in order to really get into it, I'd have to, like, as a really hate the person who played Julian, or Frederick, and it was, yeah, it's kind of hard when you kind of like that guy. So it's like, okay, how do I do this one. But that's, so that had to be my hardest part of that entire show is actually being someone that I don't approve of, in any way, shape or form. Sam Prince 17:53 Right. Right. And that's, that's why I just want to thank you. Because, I mean, obviously, we know that, you know, racism is not part of your existence. Right. So to have to play that guy, you know, must have been so difficult. You know, just because what you said it's Jason VandyBogurt 18:17 more on me it literally Ward on Yeah, Sam Prince 18:18 I'm sure man, I'm sure. You know, but what I will say is, again, thank you, of course, and then be, you know, we as a cast had to put that out there. And we had to depict that in order to share his story. You know, that was a very, very important, probably the most important part about his life. So it had to be done. Yeah. You know, unfortunately, it had to be you. But, but fortunately, it was you, you know what I mean? That that's, that's yeah, when is that? Thank God, it was you. And then, you know, I get emotional by thinking about it that, you know, we that role as hard as it was a play was so crucial to be played as well and to depict that for the audience. Jason VandyBogurt 19:17 Yeah, I mean, as you said, it's a pivotal part of that whole or the whole show, I would think in my mind is because if we didn't get to see how he had to endure that how he had to fight through it, it didn't really give enough. Nice story to his current life later, when he when he got older. Sam Prince 19:40 Right, exactly. That's where he became a man. We found that he could be could be somebody. Yeah. Awesome. Well, thank you again for playing that man. Always. Appreciate it. I'm sorry about the emotional trauma, you know, but no, I'm sure. You know, working in Phoenix had to go through the same thing. You know, I mean, those those big roles, you know, you just they were on you, but yeah, they Jason VandyBogurt 20:12 do. But it's worth it to get the people along to tell the story. Exactly. Sam Prince 20:19 Exactly. And that's what makes a good actor because if it's not working on you, then are you gonna get jacked? Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Alright, so we'll take a break. And we'll come back, and we'll get some tips from Jason, and play a game and have some fun. So stay tuned. Alright. Alright, that's when we break it. How are you doing? I go so far. Jason VandyBogurt 20:46 That's fun. I actually enjoy podcasts. I just kind of figure out what I want to do for a podcast. Yeah. It'd be fun. Sam Prince 20:56 Yeah, maybe some gaming sir. For? Jason VandyBogurt 20:59 Oh, yeah. Probably something along those lines. Yeah. Yeah. Sam Prince 21:03 Sorry. Alright, cool. So we'll come back. And then I'll just ask you the one question about just some advice to give those who may be a little nervous about acting or apprehensive. But that's cool. Jason VandyBogurt 21:21 And we'll do that. Sam Prince 21:23 Alright, so. Alright, here we go. Oh, you know, before I start, do you have to forgive me for extra Sorry, do you have a reel of yourself? Acting? Or talking or any audio at all? Jason VandyBogurt 21:48 Only at a movie? Like a DVD that I don't have currently? I have it but it's not. It's ready. I don't know how to play it on here to over I don't know how to dub it over yet. Sam Prince 22:02 Gotcha. Okay. All right. Um, because if you did, I'd love to just play that leading into this. But that's okay. That's alright. And if you if you figure out how to do it before we go live, then let me know. Jason VandyBogurt 22:19 Yeah, yeah. I have no idea what to do. So I want to look that one up. To be honest. Right? Yeah. Sam Prince 22:24 Okay. No problem, man. No problem. All right, here we go. All right. Welcome back to the creative Torian. We are back here with my friend Jason Vandy. BOGO. Oh, where are you again? My friend? Jason VandyBogurt 22:39 Doing well. Doing well. Sam Prince 22:42 All right. All right. It's been a long time since we've talked. Oh, it's been so sweet. Well, hey, I just wanted to I'd love to always educate the listeners and give them some tips. And just thought it'd be a great person to talk to about those who maybe you're always wanting to act or maybe a little apprehensive, you know, kind of how you were in the beginning where you're wack is like, get out there and do your thing. You know, any, for folks that are in that spot? What would you say to them? Jason VandyBogurt 23:18 Just go for it. I mean, do start with a play, especially because if you go with a musical, it's can be very intimidating, and it may want may prevent you from ever auditioning again. But the auditioning process itself is a good way to just continue to doing something because you will build a repertoire and knowledge in order to get apart to get a role. There's a few times when I first started auditioning that I wanted to give up but like I said before the wife kept pushing me to go do it. You can, as you can tell got me into the mood of things. And now what Yeah, five, six shows deep, and it's only been three years. So. Sam Prince 24:07 Yeah, right. Exactly. And it sounds like having a support system like your wife may be able to. Jason VandyBogurt 24:16 Oh, yeah. I mean, that's, it helps me but I mean, obviously it's not for everybody, maybe somebody maybe bring someone with you to the theater, or if you want to even audition maybe even practice with something else before you even go. Unknown Speaker 24:34 It's yeah, Jason VandyBogurt 24:37 yes. I mean, confidence is a big thing. You got to have a little bit of confidence going in otherwise it will be difficult to get apart. But like I said, continually doing those additional processes with a bunch of other people it will be it will help you grow and help you have more confidence. Right. Sam Prince 24:55 So get out there. Do as many auditions as you can. Just do it. Just do it. And have the confidence. Yeah. All right. All right. Yeah, those are all good to have all good tips and to your point. Let's all get started to you know, just just just saying, okay, you know what? Here's a play audition. I'm gonna give it a shot. Jason VandyBogurt 25:28 Go do it. Have some fun with it. Sam Prince 25:31 Exactly. Exactly. Sweet. Okay, well, thank you for those tips. No hope they're helpful to everyone else, you know, just get some confidence. And go do it. So now I like to play a little creativity and bracket game. Oh, okay. Where? Yeah, so Jason gave me his top four actors. And we're gonna put them up against each other. See who's your favorite? Today? Of course, it may change tomorrow. Jason VandyBogurt 26:07 is true. Yeah. Yeah. Sam Prince 26:09 Yeah. All right. So you ready? Jason VandyBogurt 26:14 I asked her. Sam Prince 26:15 All right. So the first thing you gave me were Jason Statham. Mm hmm. Who by the way is Jesse's? Favorite actor. Nice. Favorite actor. Yeah. Jason stadium and against the rock. Ah, Jason VandyBogurt 26:33 okay. Let's see here. Sam Prince 26:45 That stuffy Jason VandyBogurt 26:46 is a toughy because there are two both really good, and it's I guess it more depends on what movie for what genre because if we're going to go comic comedic realm, it's going to be the rock, Joe, Jason stadiums, comedic talents, kind of more of a loosey goosey kind of dry humor, if you will. Right. Right. Whereas the rocks is more of in your face pile drive it into the ground? Cube, right? Yeah. Yeah. So he does a lot but he does a lot better in the in the comedies. Like, what's the one Sam Prince 27:33 Jumanji series? Yeah, those are hilarious. Mm hmm. Well, you have to pick one. I'm sorry to say. I'm sorry. He changed tomorrow. Jason VandyBogurt 27:49 Shoot, let's go Jason Statham. Sam Prince 27:52 Okay. All right. And then the other two are Kevin Hart. And Will Smith. Huh. Jason VandyBogurt 28:03 Shoot, let's go with Sam Prince 28:06 let's go with Kevin Hart. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. You might get one. Jason VandyBogurt 28:12 Oh, I he is he's a great actor. And He is funny as all get out. Sam Prince 28:17 He really is. He really is. Have you ever seen? Oh, man. I forget the exact title, but it's the how the husbands of husbands of Orange County. Jason VandyBogurt 28:31 Oh, yeah, I've heard of that. I didn't watch. Sam Prince 28:35 Oh, my gosh, Jason. You searching? I don't know where it is. It is. I don't It's my I think it may be a couple seasons. But it is the most hilarious thing, man. I mean, he's he's just an idiot. And then it's all his idiot friends. You know, just being idiots. Yeah. So fine. Like, like the dude who's like I forget his name. But he's Caesar for all those betting Caesar commercials in June commercial. In this awareness, yeah. Jason VandyBogurt 29:17 Some fun. Sam Prince 29:18 Yeah. All right. So Kevin Hart against Jason. Winds. Jason VandyBogurt 29:27 Whoo. That's even tougher than Jason and the rock. Yeah. I'm gonna go with more of the person who's done more genres. So I'll probably have to go with Jason Statham on that one. Sam Prince 29:43 All right. Okay, there you go. Man, Jason Statham is more a more popular and I thought he was really I mean, I guess I always knew he was popular but you know, a lot of people love him. No, Jason VandyBogurt 29:59 I Yeah, I don't know what it is. But just every time I see him moving, he's like, Oh, yes. He said it popped up in my head of things like, Oh, I like him. He's a good actor too, and not added us. So, Sam Prince 30:15 yeah, yeah. Why man? Well, my last question to you, is really just, you know, what are your plans to creatively affect the world with your acting? What's your goals? What's Jason's goals and dreams? Jason VandyBogurt 30:32 Let's see, well, my goals is I'm looking to try to be a part of the the board the community board at masterbatch. Theater, I'm trying to see if I can get into there. If I can get into there, I can utilize my more for lack of better word, millennial style thinking, their impact to impact the world with shows that may test the boundaries of some things and forces the audience to think about what's actually happening on set. And maybe just bring out the whole as bring out the whole the change that this world needs to see, and just use theater to help you just use the theater as a as a way to show that to the world. Sam Prince 31:31 That was great. That was a great goal. Oh, cool. That'd be nice. Yeah. And, you know, that needs to happen. Yeah. You know, I was going to go probably, yeah, and yeah, yeah, that's, that's huge. And I really hope that you do that. And I know, you will. Jason VandyBogurt 32:03 See if I can get it through there. I mean, we'll see what happens with the world and see what happens with this opportunity. Hopefully, I can, you know, sneak my way in there, for lack of a better word, but yeah, Sam Prince 32:13 yeah. Well, you're definitely pretty darn popular there right now. So you got you got that going for you? Yeah. Yeah. Well, thanks again for joining me, man. I really appreciate it. Of course, it's great conversation, learned a lot learned that you could just get started, just like you did. And be. I mean, we just toot your horn for a minute, man. I mean, like you really are one of those growing actors here in West Michigan, you know, like, just in three years. You put your name on a whole bunch of stuff. And that's super impressive. And I would just want that to be a while what a mentor a example of what other people can do. Right, exactly. Yeah. So thanks, man. Jason VandyBogurt 33:11 Of course course. Sam Prince 33:13 All right. All right. Well, hey, thank you for joining us on The Creativity Torian podcast and I always like to thank you. I always like to end by saying on the world stage. Hey, thank you for listening to the creativity Korean podcast. Again, my name is Sam Prince. And it is my honor to be your host and thank you so much for listening. I'd also be honored if you could leave a review on Apple podcasts and say some nice things about what you just heard. And definitely please listen every week. We come out every Tuesday. Also, for more information about coaching classes, workshops, and upcoming productions, please check out our website Sambre dot productions, that's sh m b e r dot productions. And you can also subscribe to our newsletter. And remember all the world