David Ross Paterson is a 2008/2009 Ovation Nominee for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his role as Dillwyn Knox in BREAKING THE CODE at The Production Company. He is currently performing in MRS. CAGE at the  NoHo Actor’s Studio Nov. 14 to Dec. 20.

If you’d like to add a congratulatory message for David Ross (or any other Nominee or Nominated Company), to the Ovation Awards commemorative poster (distributed to all nominees and all attendees at the Ceremony), click here!

As an Ovation Award Nominee, LA Stage asked David Ross the following questions:

What was the moment that first inspired you to pursue working in the theatre?

I grew up in a large provincial town.  When I was very young I was taken along to a production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, staged in a big old theatre that I had only previously experienced as a movie house.  I couldn’t quite process what was different; it wasn’t a movie and it wasn’t tv, but it was full of energy and it was magical.  A little later I attended an after-school show in a tiny community hall by a somewhat rag-tag musical country and western whip-cracking cowboy show – in Australia -  which also left an indelible impression.  I’m not sure these events inspired me to perform in the theatre, but they certainly made their mark.   I became a Drama major studying Education at university pretty much on the basis of my research indicating that Drama students:
-  were required to submit significantly less course work than, say, Physical Education majors;
- lunched longer than their colleagues, even English majors;
- were overwhelmingly female.

What do you feel made the production you were nominated for particularly successful, either overall or for you specifically?

The Production Company’s version of Breaking the Code was very well conceived and cast.  Congratulations to director Robert Mammana and producers August Viverito and TL Kolman there.  Lead Sam Ross (Best Actor nominee) was on stage every minute of the piece with an enormous quantity of words.  His mastery of a huge role in a relatively short period of time was crucial.  My character was fun because he injected a bit of avuncular humour in what was a pretty serious piece.  The challenge was to keep him believable and not to tip the scales too much.

What project or projects are you currently working on?

I’m currently appearing in MRS CAGE at The NoHo Actors’ Studio 11/ 7/09 through 12/20/09; a part of a double bill -  Women Over The Edge.  It’s a two person piece and it has been been an absolute pleasure working with co-star Katelyn Ann Clark and director Barbara Bain.  Barbara is a triple Emmy winning actor, a member of The Actors Studio and a blast to work and study with.

What do you love most about theatre in Los Angeles?

There’s so much of it!

What’s your dream project?

To be involved in a repertory company of actors working long term on challenging material; to really sneak up and percolate on the likes of Chekhov, Shakespeare, Shaw and Beckett.  That’s why I’m so excited to be a part of the brand new  Vanguard Repertory Company including The La Canada Flintridge Shakespeare Festival. www.lcfshakes.com
I’m also working on some web material that had its genesis on-stage;  a number of characters including conflicted pharmacist Howard Crenshaw, guru Aussie acting coach Peter Pakington (revealing the secret behind Australian Hollywood dominance by helping the actor release their inner marsupial), and the crisply articulated song stylings of self-publishing musical relationship counselor Rex Rountree. All soon to be featured on upcoming comedy website CheapFlightsFreePorn.com

Biography: Currently on stage in MRS CAGE (Previews 11/ 7/09 through 12/20/09) directed by triple Emmy winner Barbara Bain at NoHo Actors Studio following his Ovation nominated performance in BREAKING THE CODE at The Chandler Studio Theatre. Played Bob King in the US premiere of David Williamson’s SANCTUARY at VCPA and HENRY IV and AS YOU LIKE IT for Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival. Film roles include Ron Howard’s FROST/NIXON and David Fincher’s THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON. Television includes LOST, THE UNIT and a recurring role on Aussie soap NEIGHBOURS. David has appeared in many films and television projects in Australia and the US. He co-founded Boxing Day Productions mounting numerous stage shows in both countries and winning awards at Melbourne and New York Fringe Festivals. For Boxing Day he co-wrote and produced RESERVED SEATING ONLY performing alongside wife Cecelia Specht. The show was rewarded with a massive five month tour across the length and breadth of Australia. Directing credits include top Melbourne Fringe performer THE AUTHOR’S VOICE. David is proud to be a foundation company member of The Vanguard Repertory & La Canada-Flintridge Shakespeare Festival www.lcfshakes.com/ Known for his work in sketch comedy, he is currently working on a new web projects showcasing a number of characters including conflicted pharmacist Howard Crenshaw, guru Aussie acting coach Peter Pakington (revealing the secret behind Australian Hollywood dominance by helping the actor release their inner marsupial), and the crisp diction song stylings of self-publishing musical relationship counsellor Rex Rountree. A graduate of The New Actors Workshop David worked with George Morrison, Paul Sills and Mike Nichols. He also studied with Uta Hagen and Carol Rosenfeld at HB Studio. David continues to develop his understanding of the craft through teaching; most
recently at USC.

For a full list of Ovation nominees, or for information about the Ovation Awards Ceremony on January 11th, click here!