Meet Preston Helms of San Diego

Today we’d like to introduce you to Preston Helms.

Hi Preston, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
At a young age, I was shy, introverted, and had a speech impediment. I liked keeping my safe bubble of my family and selected friends. And then came the teen years where I went to High school camp and a switch activated! And my passion for the performing arts came to fruition. There were extra classes you could sign up for, one being a drama/sketch group, and in doing so I was given high accolades from various people along with my two brothers who were also there. My mother who heard of this new found passion, then connected me with a group who set to perform Macbeth in less than two weeks. And that ignited my passion for Shakespeare! I then read all of his works along with other classics. My first audition outside of school was with the Redlands Shakespeare Festival where I had the privilege to perform as Proteus in The Two Gentleman of Verona directed by Michael Shane Eastman. The following year, I again worked with RSF in The Taming of the Shrew as Petruchio directed by Ron Milts. Sadly, the company dissolved the next year. Not knowing where to go next, I was then reached out to by a friend I made with RSF asking if I would be coming to audition for Shakespeare in the Vines in Temecula as he would be directing their production of The Merry Wives of Windsor that season. Seeing his message I thought, “they must need people.” Unbeknownst to me, this was the beginning of a new chapter in my life of ten plus years of performing and working in Temecula. Fast forward to today where I have the honor and privilege of leading Shakespeare in the Vines from its previous Founder and Artistic Director, the late Sheila Havens Ryle.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been quite the journey. I inherited Shakespeare in the Vines the fall of 2019. Nothing like learning how to keep a theater arts nonprofit alive during a worldwide shutdown! Thankfully 2019 season was a success, and we were able to survive the year. We, like so many other nonprofit theater organizations, did productions, classes, and other workshops virtually. And through loyal patrons donations, and other means of support, we have survived and are continuing our mission today. We’ve done successful seasons of Shakespeare’s works and also produced new original works, which we hope to give as a continued opportunity for writers. Last year we celebrated our 20th season and we just closed our 21st this year. And mind you, this achievement has been accomplished with many other obstacles and challenges faced. Such is running a community focused nonprofit whose focus is to bring awareness to the arts, classic works, and making them relevant for the next generation.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a performer at heart. I love transporting myself into other characters and challenge myself with each role as an opportunity to try to convince the audience to question their own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs as they connect with the play or my performance. I audition when the time permits, work in my Improv troupe (PseudoRandomNoise), and teach how to perform Shakespeare to kids and Adults.

As President and Artistic Director of Shakespeare in the Vines, I run the organization by selecting our upcoming season of shows and events. Locate venues, hire directors, production staff, and recruit volunteers for our upcoming season needs.

I’m also very active in the community of Temecula. Working with the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador, promoting our upcoming shows, events, and needs. And advocating the need for theater arts in our community by working with our fellow theater organizations to speak to the city government and local businesses for their need and support to keep our productions and educational outreach alive.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Since being in this position for the last seven years, I cannot help but see and feel there is another pandemic occurring, a significant change in society, and it’s a pandemic of human understanding and connection. While we are outside again doing various activities, we are not present, not hearing or understanding each other. Most restaurants and home tables are quiet because we’re invested in our “smart” phones and not in the oral conversation. Mind you, technology is needed and we have made tremendous strides of progress because of it. But when the artificial consumes us frequently, we loose sight of the most important need in our lives, the soul. Human connection. But there is hope. The upcoming generation who was deprived from socializing during 2020 are wanting more experiences and connections.

And that’s where the theatre arts will remain timeless and relevant. You have no choice but to be in the present moment. Phones are silenced, you’re seated next to people from all walks of life to witness a story unfold by the actors onstage in front of you. And though all the various plays, musicals, dances, and other means of expression through the stage. It comes down to this one story… you are human. You matter. And you have a story to tell.

The mission of Shakespeare in the Vines is to build appreciation of classical works through theatre arts educational outreach and professional productions throughout Southern California. And create entertainment and educational experiences that preserve and celebrate classic works of literature while establishing a community network of partnerships to increase and improve arts and culture offerings in the area.

My hope is to grow even more awareness to our community of artists and give people the opportunity to experience their true selves through the power of the theater arts. I encouraged you, find and support your local theater groups and experience the power of the arts for yourself. And is you’re ever in the Temecula area, we have a seat reserved for you at Shakespeare in the Vines.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shakespeareinthevines.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/theprestonhelms, www.instagram.com/shakespeareinthevines
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shakespeareinthevines
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Shakespeareinthevinestemecula

Image Credits
Shawna Sarnowski Photography.