On April 16th Nevada SAG Council member John Powers met a sadly early death. He will be missed. His contributions to the Guild, to the community and the craft will be remembered.
John's life was devoted to acting. At ULCA he received a BA in Theatre Arts where he studied Film, radio, and television, and for the next twenty years, staring in 1970, performed in London and Los Angeles. He attended many acting classes in the 1970's and 1900's including Lee Strasberg's Actor's Studio West and a two year cours at the Van Mar acadey of Motion picture and Television Acting taught by Ivan Markota.
John Moved to Las Vegas in 1989 and Joined SAG, became a member of Actors' Repertory Theatre (an Equity company) where he acted and often doubled as stage manager. He appeared in many of their productions including "Fiddler on the Roof," "See How They Run," Carroussel" and many others. His wide range of talent had him often appearing in dual roles such as The Actor's Repertory's "To Kill a Mockingbird where he played both the evil farmer and Boo Radley and both Anselme and the Banker in their production of "The Miser." He also played Shakespeare including Duncan in "Macbeth." He also did some opera and well as appearing in many musicals. He began his long professional association with Michael Plaisted when he they appeared together in starring roles at the old Aladdin Casino Theatre for a long run in "What the Butler Saw" which was a Darrel Wayne Players production and then was cast as Ed in Torch Song Trilogy (another Darrel Wayne production) by director Plaisted. He went on to serve on the board of directors of Mr. Plaisted's Empress Theatre. Together they founded Big Lion Productions, the primary purpose of which was to present various acting classes. John Specialized in the Socratic method which featured a 10 question system combined with the Method System. He had been teaching acting in Las Vegas since his arrival in Las Vegas and specialized in character structuring and cold reading. John presented multiple workshops for the SAG Conservatory.
A master of many accents, John did many voice overs, and was a news reader for KNPR. He also performed as a professional musician playing bass, percussion, and guitar. He also did a great deal of writing including many scenes used in his acting classes. He had a multitude of speaking parts in many movies and television shows as well as several commercials. He made repeated appearances in "The Watcher." As he was a master of improvisation he did many appearances in dinner mysteries including many with Myra Tayback productions, Darrel Wayne Productions, Michael/Foster Productions, and The Empress Theatre.
He was born in Las Angeles on August 11, 1951. He is survived by two sisters who live in the Las Angeles area.
There will be two memorials for John in the near future. A location is needed for one that will be primarily for those in the acting community.If anyone has any ideas on such a location, contact Michael Plaisted at miketheham@hotmail.com. Mr. Plaisted is also arranging another memorial through the auspices of the local Humanist association where John had served as President, Vice President, and on their board of directors.
(obit by Michael Plaisted)
John's life was devoted to acting. At ULCA he received a BA in Theatre Arts where he studied Film, radio, and television, and for the next twenty years, staring in 1970, performed in London and Los Angeles. He attended many acting classes in the 1970's and 1900's including Lee Strasberg's Actor's Studio West and a two year cours at the Van Mar acadey of Motion picture and Television Acting taught by Ivan Markota.
John Moved to Las Vegas in 1989 and Joined SAG, became a member of Actors' Repertory Theatre (an Equity company) where he acted and often doubled as stage manager. He appeared in many of their productions including "Fiddler on the Roof," "See How They Run," Carroussel" and many others. His wide range of talent had him often appearing in dual roles such as The Actor's Repertory's "To Kill a Mockingbird where he played both the evil farmer and Boo Radley and both Anselme and the Banker in their production of "The Miser." He also played Shakespeare including Duncan in "Macbeth." He also did some opera and well as appearing in many musicals. He began his long professional association with Michael Plaisted when he they appeared together in starring roles at the old Aladdin Casino Theatre for a long run in "What the Butler Saw" which was a Darrel Wayne Players production and then was cast as Ed in Torch Song Trilogy (another Darrel Wayne production) by director Plaisted. He went on to serve on the board of directors of Mr. Plaisted's Empress Theatre. Together they founded Big Lion Productions, the primary purpose of which was to present various acting classes. John Specialized in the Socratic method which featured a 10 question system combined with the Method System. He had been teaching acting in Las Vegas since his arrival in Las Vegas and specialized in character structuring and cold reading. John presented multiple workshops for the SAG Conservatory.
A master of many accents, John did many voice overs, and was a news reader for KNPR. He also performed as a professional musician playing bass, percussion, and guitar. He also did a great deal of writing including many scenes used in his acting classes. He had a multitude of speaking parts in many movies and television shows as well as several commercials. He made repeated appearances in "The Watcher." As he was a master of improvisation he did many appearances in dinner mysteries including many with Myra Tayback productions, Darrel Wayne Productions, Michael/Foster Productions, and The Empress Theatre.
He was born in Las Angeles on August 11, 1951. He is survived by two sisters who live in the Las Angeles area.
There will be two memorials for John in the near future. A location is needed for one that will be primarily for those in the acting community.If anyone has any ideas on such a location, contact Michael Plaisted at miketheham@hotmail.com. Mr. Plaisted is also arranging another memorial through the auspices of the local Humanist association where John had served as President, Vice President, and on their board of directors.
(obit by Michael Plaisted)
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