Q&A with Stephen Thornton from The Procedure

An actor and improviser from Honolulu, Hawaii, Stephen Thornton moved to New York in the fall of 2006 to study acting. Graduating from the New York Film Academy’s 1-yr Acting for Film program in 2007, he has since had the privilege to work professionally as an actor in the theater and in film. He continues to study improvisation, with a strong emphasis on the teachings of Viola Spolin, and has been fortunate enough to study with truly amazing teachers such as Jeff Michalski and Hal Peller. He is currently a member of the improv group Eskimo Dance, has been a reoccurring guest with IRTE, and is formerly a member of The Red Tie Mafia. Today, he continues hone his craft, and pursue his dream of one day being able to do nothing else, but tell stories. He is grateful to be working on "The Procedure" with all the talented people involved. Some of his New York theater credits include: Mr. Calkins in Porcelain and Pink, Ronnie in Trying to Find Chinatown, Tian in Stasis, Captain Munimori in Go For Broke, Bruce in Killing Time, David inManuscript, and Dr. Neriel in Moon Vault.



Where were you born? Where were you raised? Where did you go to school?

I was born in Honolulu Hawaii, and raised in Littleton Colorado. I went to Dakota Ridge High School in Jefferson County, then came to New York to study acting.

What is your show about?


 This is a show about the a man and his struggles with self-identity and humanity. And what he's willing to sacrifice to obtain both.

Is there a particular moment in this show that you really love or look forward to? Without giving away surprises, what happens in that moment and why does it jazz you?


Yes there are a few. But I can't tell you without giving away anything. 

Would you be willing to get a microchip implanted in your eye?

Honestly, I don't know. It really would depend on the situation. But if I was the situation of Adrian in the play, I wouldn't get the chip implanted. 

If you had ten million dollars that you had to spend on theatrical endeavors, how would you use the money?

If I had 10 million dollars, I would try and buy a building to renovate it into a theater. I would try to make the space affordable to people who want to put up shows, but find it too expensive to do so in New York. Since I have the theater, I would also start a theater company, it's primary focus would be to give minorities a chance to perform against stereo-types and play roles that they might not typically get to play, and start an acting school. If there's anything left I would set up a scholarship for aspiring actors, directors, and writers.

A Living Room Theater production, written and directed by Sonia Nam and Marcus Yi, The Procedure will be performed on Friday 5/31/13 at 5:00pm, Tuesday 6/4/13 at 9:00pm, Saturday 6/8/13 at 12:30pm, Friday 6/14/13 at 9:00pm, Monday 6/17/13 at 4:30pm, and Thursday 6/20/13 at 5:00pm as part of the Planet Connections Theater Festivity. The Festival will take place at the Gene Frankel Theater, at 24 Bond St New York 10012. Tickets can be bought here.

---