We were lucky to catch up with George Welder recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi George, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I took piano and guitar lessons at six and started playing drums at eight, starting drums lessons at 10. I played percussion although school, playing in the concert and jazz bands as well as starting rock and roll bands with friends. I entered college with the intention of going into music education, however performing was the road I was meant to travel. Music led me into acting and I have been extremely fortunate to have had some wonderful mentors and coaches.
The most essential skill for a musician or actor, is listening. It may be the most essential in every aspect of life. Listening to the other instruments, to the other actors, to criticism, to direction, it all requires mouth closed and ears open. One of the best lessons I’ve learned is, “I don’t know what I don’t know”. Looking at every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. The biggest obstacle to stand in my way had been fear. Fear to try something new, or different. Seeing the negative and not taking a chance. I’ve taken plenty of chances over the years and all of them have worked our exactly as they were meant to. Many times not how I wanted them to, but I’ve learned far more from the “failures” than the “successes”.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am an actor/musician living in the DFW area that is fortunate enough to do what I love. I started with music, playing in bands, that afforded me the opportunities to travel and meet new people. Much of the time it was by accident, or fate, or coincidence, whatever you’d want to call it.
While playing in Daytona Beach for Bike Week, the band I was in, The Randall Zwarte Band, was approached about doing a reality documentary about the band. Out of the blue we did a film, Road to Sturgis, which sparked an interest in acting, but not knowing how to pursue this, or some fear of pursuing it, left it as just a thought.
It wasn’t until there was an open casting call for an independent film, which I went to not to audition, but to offer some original music for the film. As I was discussing music, the director asked if I’d be interested in auditioning as he thought I might to good for one of the roles. I did and was cast as Dad in the film Last Summer For Boys. Again, music led me to acting.
With a successful audition and an amazing experience shooting a film, I had the confidence to jump in and audition far a play. I was cast as the sleazy, demon possessed, used car salesman Rex Skinner in CS Lewis’ Screwtape, which really exposed me to the craft of acting and ignited a passion to learn. I met my first acting mentor/coach, Amber Rae Bernhardt, during that play, whose instruction, guidance, and support, is something I am forever grateful for.
Me wife and I moved to Texas from North Dakota almost four years ago and in that time I’ve been studying acting with Michelle Sherill and Michele Condrey at the REACT studio in Dallas, signed with John Kolinofsky of the Callidus Agency, and been working on short and feature films, television, commercial work, and most recently as a cast member at Medieval Times, where I’m fortunate enough to wear the armor, ride a beautiful Friesian horse, and preside as Master of Ceremonies for the tournament.
I don’t get to play much music these days, but I am surely enjoying getting to do what I love.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Actors are told “No” a lot. Without some thick skin it can be tough. My job is to audition, being cast is the cherry on top. There are many reason why I didn’t get the job, some may have been in my control, some may not have been. Whatever the reason, I have to take what I can from the experience and move on. Trying not to take it personal, it’s the business.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being in the creative space and performing, whether it’s music, or acting, is about providing an experience for people. The more honest I can be, the more passionate I can be, the chance of a genuine moment is created. I don’t try to make people feel a certain way or push them in a particular direction, only that there is something to experience. It could joy, sorrow, sadness, pleasure, reflection, or hopeful optimism, I want to leave that to the audience to have. To know that for a moment in time, someone forgot about what was happening all around them and was generous enough to invest in an experience that I can help provide, that is the cherry on top.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: georgecwelder
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1459131180
Image Credits
Ward Meeker Hao Xiong