Skidmore grad takes the stage in ‘Henry IV’
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » In 2016, Woodrow Proctor graduated from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. He decided to stay in town that summer and performed the major supporting role of Mercutio in the Saratoga Shakespeare production of “Romeo & Juliet.”
The experience solidified what he already knew. He wanted to pursue a professional career in theater.
A mere two years later, Proctor has a lead in both the plays offered this summer by Saratoga Shakespeare at Congress Park, which are offered to the public free of charge. In “As You Like It,” which offers its last performance on Saturday, he plays the romantically dense Orlando. On Tuesday he plays Prince Hal, the youthful heir to Henry IV, who seems to be wasting his potential by carousing with ne’er-do-wells, one of whom is the comic reprobate Falstaff.
Proctor’s talent has brought him local recognition, and he comes back to Saratoga Springs a member of the Actors’ Equity, the union of professional ac- tors. Not only does he have professional status, he has secured an agent to represent him. This is a major asset for a career, and a remarkable achievement for someone barely two years out of school.
In a recent telephone interview, Proctor is modest about his accomplishments. “After ‘Romeo And Juliet,” I went home to Hoboken, which is a mere 15-minute commute to Manhattan. I decided to go into the City regularly and throw myself in front of as many people as possible. The agent Judy Boles saw me and thought I was interesting enough to represent me.”
With the guidance of his new agent, Proctor spent nine months in the prestigious apprenticeship program of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. He garnered professional experience appearing in “Twelfth Night,” “Snow Queen,” “A Christmas Carol” and as Benedick in “Much Ado About Nothing.” More important, the experience earned him his Actors’ Equity card.
An offer from Saratoga Shakespeare for a summer of professional work was icing on what had become a very rich, frosty cake. “It’s difficult to leave New York for two months,” he says, explaining that at this time of year a lot of theater com- panies are holding auditions and casting fall productions. However, he feels that the growing reputation of Saratoga Shakespeare in the industry will help him in the long run.
Plus, he says he feels connected to the company and to the area. “I love it here. I love working with people who are so dedicated about putting on the best possible production. It’s what I think theater is all about. I learn so much every time I work here.”
Indeed, the summer experience is not a holiday. For the past two weeks he’s been rehearsing ‘Henry IV’ during the day and in the evening performing Orlando in “As You Like It.” He had the luxury of rehearsing an extra week with Kevin McGuire, the experienced Broadway veteran who plays the title character. Proctor points to McGuire who’s performed on Broadway and Toronto as the title character in “The Phantom of the Opera” and played leads in both “Les Miserables” and “The Secret Garden” as the type of role models from whom he thirsts to learn. “There are only eight people in the cast and every role is filled with a talented, experienced actor,” he says.
He also finds the material demanding. “We are taking a unique approach. ‘Henry IV’ was written in two parts. Usually performing them takes about 7 hours. We’re doing both in under two hours.” He explained that means the material focuses on the essentials of the play. This isn’t historically accurate material. It has elements of history but basically we are telling a compelling artistic story.”
Now that Proctor will have only one show to worry about, how does he intend to relax in Saratoga with his free time? “I love to go home and tinker with my computer,” he says.
When most people make that kind of comment they mean play with the browser, search sites and stuff. Proctor means tinker – like in construct. He was a double major at Skidmore getting a degree in Theater and in Computer Science. “I built my first computer in high school. I think I’m only the fourth person at Skidmore to have this double track.
Certainly he’s one of the first theater majors to have such a successful first two years in show business.