What are you working on these days?
Currently I’m in rehearsals for David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross at Live Arts. I’m also back to work on a series of children’s novels, the first of which I hope to have complete by this time next year. [Editor’s note: Glengarry Glen Ross plays at Live Arts through October 10, and The Hamner Theater October 15-17.]
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A cluttered desk is a sign of…Chris Patrick, in the midst of adult language in Glengarry Glen Ross and a series of kids’ novels. |
Do you have a day job?
Not since July 31. Just resigned from my position at UVA’s Department of Family Medicine…I’ve saved up enough to be able to take off about a year from income-generating employment so I can finish work on the book.
What were you doing just before we contacted you?
Checking e-mail at the Crozet Library. It’s hard to believe, I know, but I don’t have Internet access at home. I’m always having to take an electronic pit stop on my journeys out.
What is your favorite tool of the trade?
I’d have to say having a great script to work with is really essential. The words are key. I’m stoked to be doing a Mamet piece—the language is so carefully crafted, and as such has a very specific rhythm. It’s like a piece of music. With a lot of expletives.
Locally, who would you like to collaborate with that you haven’t collaborated with yet?
Oh, lots of folks. There are several UVA faculty I’ve not worked with before, such as Richard Warner, Kate Burke, Bob Chapel…I haven’t had the chance to audition for Heritage [Theater Festival] before but I’m hoping to do so this year. Many, many others—Ray Nedzel, Sian Richards, Adam Brock, John Holdren, Sara Holdren, Jon Cobb, to name just a few…
What’s your favorite snack food while you’re working?
We actors can be pretty superstitious when we’re in the run of a show, particularly about meals. My latest have-to-have-it meal is a Gulf Coast Salad and Reed’s Ginger Ale from Revolutionary Soup. Reed’s Ginger Ale is unparalleled—I have all the spots in town where they sell it scoped out.
What upcoming event will you be getting a ticket for?
The daughter of some good friends of mine is making her big Live Arts debut in Gypsy as Baby June, so I’ll definitely be seeing that one. And I know it’s not a local event, but I’m really excited about Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds (in spite of the middling reviews).
Guilty pleasure?
Almost all of my pleasures are guilty ones. Let’s see, to name just one…I can go for a long time without playing a video game, but once I start up with one I’m pretty obsessive about it. I have this Age of Empires game a friend gave me…and I’m currently in the throes of its seductive pull, my villagers logging and farming and fishing far too late into the night.
