We were lucky to catch up with Patrick Hart recently and have shared our conversation below.

Patrick, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

At a junior college in Yakima, Washington. The class was conducted by the college and the production they were doing that I auditioned for was “the Crucible” and I got the part of John Proctor. But I missed the first two rehearsals as I was very irresponsible. So the director lady took the part away from me and cast me as “Hale” instead. So I learned a lot about punctuality in theatre, and I loved the part. I had a great time performing in my first play.

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?

Well I discovered during the rehearsal of “The Crucible” that I had something to offer. I also learned about punctuality and theatre discipline. I loved the fact that I could move the audience when I wanted to, …artistically. I discovered that I had an inate control over the audience as well as myself.

I am most excited about the production at SAn Francisco International Repertory theatre under the direction of Earnest Lonner, a very stylized German Director. I took the part after the interview, that the person doing the role of Dion Anthony was in a motorcycle accident. After the interview, Mr, Lonner asked me if I could learn his complete role by the next weekend. I was doubtful that it could be done, but Bonnie, My wife, stayed up and cued me for 4 nights, I had one dress rehearsal on Thursday prior to the Friday production. The interstng thing about this project was that the company cut a hole downstage for the prompter box and they often do in Europe. As I paused, intentionally , Ernest Lonner thought I had “gone up” and he would come with the line and I got evern more confused because he had a very heavy German accent! Boy did I learn a lot from that experience. Well at the end of the performance the audience was informed I had taken the role four days ago. They gave me a four minute “standing O”.

In the meantime my wife and I purchased a 600 seat movie theatre south of Seattle, Wa. I converted it to stage where I produced and directed over 100 productions including all the old “War Horse” musicals such as Guys and Dolls, Godspell, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, and non musicals, Dracula, Wait until Dark (that I perfomed in in the role of Roat… which I LOVED doing) just to name a few.

In my early career in Los Angeles, I worked as an actor and stand in and in theatre in many musical variety shows entertaining at March Air force Base and the VA for the USO . I was a stand in for Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and worked in Washington with Karl Malden, George C Scott and many other notables in film. I did many films as a stand in and a few roles. I did not think I was right for film and TV and I liked the theatre much more. I was offered by Jesse Laske to go to new talent at WArner Brothers. I got there and did not go in! I was horribly insecure. But I learned a great deal about film work in the meantime. I also learned it would take a different personality then mine to pursue a film career. I continued doing theatre and toured with Kay Ballard in “I’D Stake my Life” and did Vandergelder with Sue Anne Langdon in “Hello Dolly” a few of many many other roles over the years.

After 15 years with the 600 seat theatre, producing many musicals, dramas and comedies, I decided to move back to Los Angeles to be near our children. We sold the theatre and I purchased an old farm that I could get many animals of different types as i had a grand child that bonded with animals. As I still love theatre, I built a 50 seat theatre on the property converting an old barn. Since 2008 I have created, produced and Directed at least 50 productions including our “signature” fast paced, upbeat and unprectable musical reviews and comedies.

One signature role that I have done at our big theatre and at the BIG OAK theatre in Chatsworth, Ca. is the role of old miser ‘SCROOGE” in Scrooge, the Musical. I have done that role annually over 28 years. I love bringing a special kind of old miser Scrooge, to the stage in that he is not the mean one you see in the films, but one that is relatable, bumbly and in his own way, very lovable, especially when he makes the transition.

As the Covid pandemic basically shut us down at the BIG OAK THEATRE in Chatsworth, California, we are slowly recovering and have brought in some wonderful talent to share with our very loyal supporters. I am happy to announce I will be directing a very special Holiday show this year “That Wonderful Life” based on the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”. More on that when we have fleshed out the particulars.

As there are so many other things that have blessed my long career that I would like to share about “MY WONDERFUL LIFE” but will hold for now.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It is what makes my life worth living. I realized early on that I was never able to be a 9-5 er. I have followed most of my dreams and have been fortunate enought to have had the luxury of doing what I love to do with the support of my wife and my children all of whom have been especially helpful. And they have also been very successful artists and entrepreneurs in their own right which has made me even happier being able to see them “shine” and to add support where I have been able. This is an added special bright light to my life journey.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

No! I just love what I do and feel very fortunate to have been able to do it!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bigoaktheatre.com