#jessejamesthomas

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Two Noble Kinsmen?

Hi! Im Jesse James Thomas and I play Valerious and the Doctor. 

Please give us a brief summary of the play from your character's point of view.

I was hired by a father to fix his daughter who he says is mad. Whatever, it’s a job. Come to find out, she actually is crazy! However, I am a genius doctor and know just how to fix this. If this other guy, "the wooer", pretends to be this guy Palamon she keeps talking about, then everyone wins! Who do I talk to about my fee??

What is it like repping roles in two shows at the same time? How do the plays and/or parts speak to each other?

It is always pretty hectic learning and rehearsing two different shows. Both shows are very unique and challenging. I play two very upstanding and great people. Interestingly enough, each show does have some themes of falsehood and honor. Both plays I find to be beautiful messes.

Kinsmen is late-play of Shakespeare's, deeply concerned with loyalty and myth. How does it speak to you personally? How does it speak to the world today?

It just proves that Shakespeare’s themes will always stand the test of time. Even in today’s time, we are still taught men should act one way, women another. Act your age. Religion is responsible for teaching people how to act, think, and what to believe. This play shows two men who are supposed to act a certain way in society and yet, life gets in the way. Everyone goes through this in their life at some point. We feel, act, or are tortured within because it goes against something that we were taught or trained how to be.

What's your favorite quote or two from the play?

All this shall become Palamon, for Palamon can sing, and Palamon is sweet and ev'ry good thing.

Finally, where can we learn more about you and what you're up to?

Facebook: Jesse James Thomas Instagram: Loone2n Actors Access: Jessejamesthomas also: www.Theportersofhellsgate.com

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Double Falsehood?

I am Jesse James Thomas and I play the very noble Henriquez!

Please give us a brief summary of play from your characters point of view!

I am a very important prince. I have a friend named Julio who is into Leonora. Since he is not royal, I am sending him to court and I will get her father to like him. I have this crush on this hot girl named Violante. I keep trying  to woo her, but she always sends me away! ME! I know she likes me, so one night I get a little "too intense". What I did was wrong and I feel guilty but it’s ok because she never screamed. However, now Violante is not a virgin, and I need to keep my families honor. Sorry but bye Violante. So I guess I’ll have to marry Leonora. Sorry Julio, its for the best. Her father is down because I am royal, but she is being very difficult and not going for it. How dare she!?! Things will be ok, because her father is making her marry me. On the day of the wedding things get a little crazy and Leonora runs off to a nunnery. Come on! Now I need my brother Rodrigo's help to steal her away. Now she is back with me and I’ll wait till she is over Julio. Why is my father here? Rodrigo is acting weird, why does that boy look so familiar???? 

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

I have been a Porters company member for about 6-7 years and done many shows with this great group. Beyond them, I have years of experience with Shakespeare. Shakespeare is the ultimate theatre actors joy!

Our production is a cutting of Lewis Theobald's adaptation of a lost play by Shakespeare and Fletcher. How much of Shakespeare's original work do you think survives? Are there any specific lines, scenes, and/or characters really speak to you in the "Shakespearean" voice?

I feel that this play is very inspired by Shakespeare works, but I don't feel he wrote it particularly. The crossdressing, the nunnery, the star-crossed lovers, and the situations are quite Shakespearean. The language is still beautiful and the situations  are important to talk about, but while influenced by Shakespeare, I feel that it is more Fletcher and Theobald. 

What's your favorite quote (or two) from the play?

If ever woman yet could be an angel, she is the nearest.

This is my wife; no other would I chose, were she a queen.

But pleasure is too strong for reasons curb; and conscience sinks overpowered with Beauty's sweets.

Finally, where can be learn more about you and what you're up to?

Until my website is up and running, you can find me on instagram under: Loone2n, Facebook as Jesse James Thomas and as a Porters resident, check out their website as well: Portersofhellsgate.com

Please introduce yourself! Where do you hail from? What role(s) are you playing in Cymbeline?

Hello! I am Jesse James Thomas. I am originally from Las Vegas and I will be playing Cloten.

Give us a quick summary of the play from your characters point of view!

I am perfect, and everyone knows it. I am a Prince and my mom is the Queen. The King, Cymbeline, has a daughter, Imogen, who was promised to me. It is her duty and responsibility to love and marry me which is the greatest thing that could happen for her! She's so dumb though, that she chooses this low-born and beggerly boy named Posthumous. How Stupid! So he got banished (which he deserved), and I wooed her greatly, and she still doesn't pick me! Instead, like the stupid girl she is, she runs away to be with Posthumous. Well, enough of this! I am going after her. I will kill Posthumous, ravish her, and once she sees how awesome I am, I will bring her back to the court; marry her and be with her for good. I am better then all the men and she will eventually see that. All I need to do is keep my head on straight while I find those two and I will be the best King. Nobody can King the way that I can King.

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare. I went to a performing arts high school and first got a taste of Shakespeare there. My college was connected with the Utah Shakespeare Festival and I had the opportunity to study and learn with a great regional theatre. From there I have done a few more regional theatre’s summer Shakespeare and about six years ago I had the opportunity to work with a join the Porters. My resume is more Shakespeare then anything else and I wouldn't have it any other way.

This is a heavily gender-bent production. How do you feel about gender-bending the Bard?

The Bard was gender bent from its inception. Women weren't aloud to act. I personally love gender-bending. Shakespeare has a lot of men and very few women parts. This gives both men and women a way to play roles they may never get a chance to do and, when done right, it also allows new light and themes to shine that may never have been there before. As far as this particular show, the gender bending is not only thematic, but purposeful. It allows some extra comedy, but it also brings a focus and idea that is needed in today’s society. We continue to not learn and grow, which is why Shakespeare's works are still so relevant today.

What is your favorite quote (or two...) from the play?

If we could penetrate her with our fingering, so. We'll try with tongue too...

Cloten Oh god! I forgot one thing...

Cornelius

Finally, where can people find out more about you and what you're up to? Facebook: Jesse James Thomas and @jessejamesthomasactorInstagram: loone2nWebsite (still in construction), but as a Resident Artist of the Porters you can always check http://www.portersofhellsgate.com