Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexander Collins.
Hi Alexander, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began acting during childhood as part of a youth theater troupe that performed Shakespeare at festivals and venues around the Washington, D.C. area. I was shy during my youth, preferring the company of books to that of others, but my diffidence melted whenever I was performing. I think it was specifically the Shakespeare that did it; his plays are sweeping and dramatic, and the stories of jealous kings, scheming fairies, and feuding noble families are intrinsically appealing to the imaginations of children. This is to say nothing of the comedy, which survives the four centuries since its inception funny as ever (seriously, even now I can’t help but grin at the absurdity of the famous stage direction from “The Winter’s Tale”, “Exit: pursued by a bear.”). As a teenager, I continued my classical training at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in D.C., and eventually moved to LA to graduate from USC with a degree in Theatre.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
During my time studying at USC, I was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer known as osteosarcoma. In the span of a few months, I went from performing onstage at school to being bound to a wheelchair, bald and enervated from chemotherapy. It was the sort of random calamity that characterizes our lives as humans but which we nevertheless manage to ignore until the moment it happens to us. Despite the difficulty and physical pain of this period of my life, or perhaps because of it, I feel that I derived at least some small meaning from my illness. Beginning broadly, I can say that we as a city must do better by our physically disabled brothers and sisters. The number of dangerously broken sidewalks, inaccessible facilities, and other unnecessary hindrances I encountered while physically limited was far too high. It is easy to take these things for granted, but that is precisely why we must advocate for greater accessibility accommodations in all areas of public life. On a personal level, my illness enlightened me to the deep resilience I never knew I possessed, as well as the importance of being in community with others who will look out for one another during difficult times.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an actor and voiceover artist. I work out of my home studio voiceover for various projects: dramatic podcasts, commercials, etc., with an emphasis on character voices born out of a childhood spent watching more of The Simpsons than was probably healthy. Seriously, I think that at least half of my brain is made up of Simpsons references… I audition for a lot of television (don’t we all), and have also been lucky enough to perform in some wonderful plays. Yes, LA does have a theater scene! I am actually incredibly proud to have originated the role of Yoritomo, first shogun of Japan, in Tomoko Karina’s fabulous new work, “Shizuka”. We debuted at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in the summer of 2021, determined to join with others in welcoming live theater back after the pandemic. The show was well-received, and we recently concluded a successful second run at the Zephyr Theater in Hollywood this past fall. The play was based on the 12th-century Japanese historical romance between Yoshitsune, hero of the samurai civil wars, and Shizuka, the most famous court dancer in Japanese history. It was an honor to join a multicultural, colorblind casted production in bringing the story of a different culture to life for American audiences. I hope that this sort of inclusive, multicultural storytelling continues to catch on in this industry because there are so many wonderful tales to be told from all across the world.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I think the pandemic emphasized how much we rely on others and how resilient our communities can be. None of us is an island unto themselves, and our lives are shaped by the actions and influences of those around us. Grocery stores stayed open due to the efforts of workers who, despite being severely underpaid (which they still are), put themselves in harm’s way so that others could eat. Nurses saved lives working multiple shifts, forgoing sleep so that others could be cared for in their illness. The pandemic demonstrated that all workers are essential and that in the absence of adequate intervention from those with power, we have the capability of coming together in our communities to care for one another.
Contact Info:
- Website: thealexandercollins.com
- Instagram: @alexandercollinsig
Image Credits
Kin Chan Mai Sato Jonathan Huyhn-Mast
