Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyrone Barrett Van Tatenhove.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I guess I’ll start at the beginning. The beginning meaning when I first got bit with the “acting bug”. So, I was living in my van in Olympia Washington at the time when I decided to attend a local Community College. It was already an extremely difficult situation but I guess without risk there’s no reward right..? Ha So, I was already an overhire stagehand at a local Music theatre and had a great fondness for the stage. Of course, I was usually surrounded by musicians and many other characters whilst taking microphones and setting up for various musical acts from all over the world. I guess you can say that despite not getting paid and living in a van I was spoiled. Sounds funny right? Truly I was where I wanted to be..near the stage. The rockstars, the lights, the hundreds of adoring fans who would bless the theater 4 days a week was like a drug to me. So, back to the whole college thing. I decided I wanted to be a stagehand for a few upcoming College Theatre Productions. Well, during the audition process, the director asked me what I was there for. I told him, “I want to do something in theatre. Preferably some sort of technical aspect of the stage (lighting, sound, props stage management, etc.)
The director sort of laughed. I didn’t get it but he handed me a script and had me read with him. The play was a One Act entitled, “Hello Out There” by a playwright named William Saroyan. To give you a quick synopsis of the story, the lead character nicknamed “photo finish” claims that his life has been filled with heartbreak and now he is in jail confessing his love for the sheriffs daughter who eventually steals the key to get him out. As she runs to get the key the sheriff enters his jail cell and shoots him. As the daughter comes back she finds him bleeding to death where the play takes its emotional end. That play immediately hooked me. I believe it’s because of the plays parallels between my own fantasy and reality. After this, I acted in probably a hundred different Productions from Washington State to Indiana which included Civic Theatre, Profesional theatre, University theatre, Summer Stock, environmental theatre etc
Eventually, I was given the biggest scholarship from Indiana University where I majored in Theatre and earned a B.A. This was a major breaking point in my life. I was now performing in front of huge audiences as leading character throughout my college career. This was all just a catalyst to my Hollywood dream of working in film and TV where I have been fortunate enough to book some speaking roles on cable TV and now I recently booked another show (Eli Roth Presents, The Legion of Excorcists) where I got to actually act and work with Eric Roberts for a premiere episode that will Aire on Discovery plus and the Travel Channel. I also recently starred in a music video on WorldStar featuring Yo Gotti and Young Jeezy called, “Hood Go Crazy”..let’s just say that to me, there is no gig I won’t take..well, there are a few exceptions. Haha
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?
There’s been nothing smooth about starting your life in foster homes moving from one hopeless situation to another. Let’s just say that I’ve been more than conditioned for the rejections that Hollywood can dish out despite having the side of my car kicked in and being held at gunpoint a few years back. But, once again… I’m still here!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an actor and entertainer. Most of my work as been on true crime shows but I have a very diverse background from live theatre to rap Music videos. I’ve done it all..well almost! Hah
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
The Mountains! I absolutely love snowboarding and hiking! I love the mountains soo much that I actually decided to get a pt job as a ski lift operator at Mountain High in Wrightwood California. I also get a free ski pass which makes it all worth it!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: tvantate
- Facebook: Tyrone Barrett Van Tatenhove
- Linkedin: Tyrone Van Tatenhove
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RoneZone
Image Credits
Marc Hauser Photography
