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Singer at Barnes & Nobel is also an Actor |
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Written by Eric Michael Gillet
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Wednesday, 26 November 2008 18:37 |
Everyone likes music, because it’s a big part of our culture with many different styles, types, and genres. But, we also love actors and actresses and we love them more when they have musical talent. Many of these actors and actresses are stars who are known, and while some are accomplished performers, others who are multi talented are hidden and not recognized.
One actor, who is also a musician, is Eric Michael Gillett. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Gillett lived in many places including Orange County and Los Angeles, California. On the stage, he was a good, but seemingly ordinary man. As I interviewed him, I learned more about his past, his present, and his future. This seemingly ordinary performer was actually famous. He has played in a number of TV shows and movies including an episode of Law & Order and alongside Jennifer Lopez in the movie, Maid in Manhattan.
Gillett has a number of talents. He is a screenwriter, a producer, a director, an actor, and a teacher. His experience spans his life; he has been singing since he was three years old. Gillett said that his mother speaks of his early days, saying that he was kicking and singing while other children his age were just kicking.
Initially, singing was not Gillett’s dream because as a child, he had speech impediment. This did not stop him from achieving his dream of being a singer. He had the help of a speech teacher who inspired him to do more. He then aspired to become a teacher and becoming a performer.
To help with his impediment, Gillett became involved in his middle school’s choir, and when he was in the third grade he learned to play the cello.
Throughout his life, Gillette has been grateful for the help and guidance of a number of people who have encouraged him to do more and to reach higher. Some of these people include his mother, his five sisters, Michael Kane, and Toni Bennett.
Unlike other performers, Gillett says he does not feel nervous before a show. “ I am excited,” he says, “It’s the best feeling in the world and it brings me to the deepest level of myself.”
Gillett adds that he wishes others could feel like he feels, not nervous or anxious before a performance. The reason for his calmness, he says, is that before each performance he rests and eats a big meal.
There is an unwritten rule in the performance arts that those on the stage with singing roles should not eat immediately before they go on stage. But, Gillett claims to be the exception to that rule. It was when he worked at an Italian restaurant, that he learned how to do eat a full meal without feeling too full. He has directed and produced and directed many shows including Aaron Lee battle, Ron Ramsay, Culver Casson, Karen Ackers, and Rita Harvey
Gillett performed on Jul 24 at Barnes and Nobel West 66th Street location. Of all the songs he did, his rendition of “Ever After” was the crowd favorite Currently, Gillett is working on a show called “Blacker,” In which the place to be performed is unannounced. The play is based on the life of Oscar Wilde, a 19th century Irish writer.
“No matter the obstacles, a person can still achieve many great things and if that person is determined, nothing should stop them,”
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