BWW Interviews: Utah Theater Community Mourns a Friend

I recently had the opportunity to chat with actor and producer David Fetzer about his career and love of acting. Sadly, the interview was not posted before his untimely passing. As an honor to him, I would like to share his interview now.

"If you want to live as an artist, you have to have a good attitude about making coffee." Says the charming David Fetzer from his hotel room in LA where he is currently working on a film. "As an actor, you have to find other ways of supporting yourself so you can pick and choose the projects that are interesting to you." He goes on to say that as much as he likes making coffee, he's actually exploring the brewing scene. He'd love to brew beer but apparently it's a hard industry to break into, especially in LA.

While currently on the road, exploring his creative genius, David's roots are planted in the great state of Utah with his first professional gig in Pioneer Theater Company's To Kill a Mockingbird at the young age of 13. However, you will likely recognize him from more recent works such as Boom at Salt Lake Acting Company, The Scarlett Letter at Plan-B Theater or from his own theater company, The New Works Theatre Machine.

David feels that theater is especially important because it can be life changing. "In 2005 I became acutely aware of the ability that music, acting, film and live performance has to change lives. I saw a production in England with the Knee High Theater Company. It wasn't the story but the way they told it that changed me. It was inventive, engaging, creative, unbelievably inspiring and chilling art. It moved me to tears." And if you've seen David's work with his own company, then you know he is about more than just spouting off these ideas. He pushes boundaries and explores new forms of creative and engaging storytelling.

From A Theater Lover to another:

Megan "What is your favorite Play?"
David: "Harold Pinter's One for the Road. I love acting Pinter. I also really like "Mountain Language."

Megan "What is your favorite musical?"
David: "Jekyll and Hyde. When I was a kid, my whole music world was Jekyll and Hyde. It's not an especially artful piece, I just have a warm spot for it."

Megan: "If you were one musical or play, which one would you be and why?"
David: "The Birthday Party because it's unpredictable and awkward."

Megan: "Any parting advice or thoughts?"
David: "This is just as much for me as for everyone. We are too quick to accept how great we are. We become mediocre and are too self congratulatory. It's easy for us to have our opinions of ourselves inflated by accolades. I wish we were all comfortable enough with ourselves to weather and welcome constructive criticism. I think of it as a luxury, not a right, to be open to criticism. Work hard because its hard work. Make honesty your policy and take every complement with a grain of salt."

And above all else David advises us to "Encourage people who don't see to see!"

My most sincere condolences to David's friends and family. Thank you for sharing him with us. A truly talented and charismatic actor, the creative world will feel his absence. Thank you David for touching our lives.

Rest in Peace.

Photo Courteous of Jerry Rapier

Megan B. Pedersen is a member of the American Theater Critics Association and is a theater lover from a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah. She sees over 100 shows a year and offers a unique patrons' perspective. When not attending the theater, she works as a corporate trainer for a local human resource and software company. In addition to the work she does for BroadwayWorld, she writes for her own website, aTheaterLover.com.

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