Get to Know a GODSPELLer: Pavi Proczko

Full given name: Paul Bohdan Proczko 

Role: Jeffrey
Song: "We Beseech Thee"
Instrument: Piano

Where you were born/where you were raised: I was born and raised in the west suburbs of Chicago. 

Special skills: I have been playing piano for 14 years, and I grew up speaking Ukrainian fluently.

Something you're REALLY bad at: I'm really bad at the game Risk. So bad, that when I was younger I thought I was really good. Then, when I'd lose a dice role, I would fold the game board to ruin the game for everyone else. So bad, that after teaching someone how to play, I would lose our first game. Bad. I know now. And I enjoy playing, even though my defeat is certain.  

Did you have any particular mentors or inspirations as a young actor? My friend Connie Ford, who directed most of my high school shows,  was the first person to tell me i should be an actor. Well, she actually YELLED, swearing, that i should be an actor. She was like that. She died my senior year of college, but she's with me every time I perform.

Current local show you have been recommending to friends: Go see my friend Michael Kingston in 33 Variations at Timeline Theatre, playing at Stage 773. It's about Beethoven music, and it's beautiful. I laughed. I wept. Hard.

Favorite Chicago neighborhood: Andersonville

Favorite show tunes of all time: "The Light in the Piazza"

Favorite musical: The Light in the Piazza

Favorite play: Doubt

Your personal acting idols: I'm inspired by Luciano Pavarotti. His voice conveyed great subtly and emotion. I am also inspired by Steve Carell; he can do no wrong. Hilarious AND touching.  

MAC or PC? Mac

Most played song on your iPod: Alternating "The Light in the Piazza", "Lux Aurumque" by Eric Whitacre, "The River Cam" by Eric Whitacre, and "Silent Noon" by Ralph Vaughn Williams. 

Must-see TV show(s): Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, Archer, and Parks and Recreation

Last good movie you saw: Date Night

Some films you consider classics: Moonstruck, Young Frankenstein, Star Wars (4-6), The Lion King

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Pavarotti, if he were alive :(

Pop culture guilty pleasure: Robyn and The Scissor Sisters

Three favorite cities: Chicago, Louisville, Toronto

First stage kiss: Guys and Dolls in 7th grade. I was Sky Masterson.

Moment you knew you wanted to perform for a living: Singing in a Sondheim showcase with a few professional singers in 7th grade. A love for beautiful melodies and heart-wrenching lyrics was born.

Pre-show rituals or warm-ups: I always warm up my whole voice. No matter if I'm singing bass, or not singing at all.

Worst costume ever: I sang a diet version of "I Hear Bells" in a production of Starting Here Starting Now which ended in a gay kiss. Either because the costumer hated everything or because she wanted the gay men in the show to seem as harmless as possible, we were clad in high-waisted pleated cadet blue pants and poop colored cardigans. We looked awful.

Most challenging role you have played onstage: I understudied ALL ELEVEN of Joseph's brothers in Joseph... and I was external, so I only went on in emergencies. I had to go on only once, and even after learning every dance move and watching the majority of performances I was flying by the seat of my pants.

Leading man role you've been dying to play: George in Sunday in the Park with George

Leading lady role you wish you could play: Margaret in The Light in the Piazza

Three things you can't live without: Coffee. Music. Pizza.

"I'll never understand why…": Anyone wants to go sky diving. That's terrifying.

-----------
See Pavi (@PaviProczko) in The Brown Paper Box Co.'s production of GODSPELL September 20 - October 7, 2012 at Collaboraction Studio 300 in the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 North Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. For tickets and additional information, visit brownpaperbox.org.

---