Ron May in Santaland Diaries – photo by John Groseclose.
1. Who are you and what do you do?
Ron May, Artistic Director for Stray Cat Theatre, Patron Relationship Manager for Arizona Theatre Company, local actor/director, basic theatre whore.
2. How did you get your start?
First grade I was cast as a little Mexican boy in the school Christmas musical. I went door to door trying to sell my donkey so we could afford material things for Christmas. Oh, and I wore a sombrero. Because, Mexican. Racial appropriation was apparently all the rage when I was growing up in the Midwest.
3. What inspires you?
Passionate people. Funny people. Critical thinkers. Other artists. Music. My friends. And to be fair, I guess on some level I’m inspired by horrible, terrible, shitty people who consistently inspire me to do better than that.
4. What do you like about AZ?
The weather. The food. The arts scene and people. The entrepreneurial spirit…if that’s the word for it? Arizona, more than anywhere I’ve ever been, has this sort-of, “I’m going to do whatever the hell I want HOWever the hell I want with WHOever the hell I want”, and if you’re really dedicated and passionate about it, it feels like you can actually DO it.
5. Where can we see you(r) work?
For Stray Cat Theatre I’ll be directing STUPID FUCKING BIRD in March and GREEN DAY’S AMERICAN IDIOT in June; more immediately, I’m playing Crumpet the Elf in David Sedaris’ SANTALAND DIARIES for Arizona Theatre Company from December 10-23.
6. What would you like to accomplish before you die?
Direct a music video for NIN or TOOL, or establish Stray Cat as a more national voice for newer work, or direct on Broadway. These didn’t have to be entirely realistic, right?
7. What is your mantra?
Expect nothing, be ready for anything, and seriously…don’t be a dick.
