November’s Man of the Month is:
Peter Graham
Here’s a little bit about him:
Peter sometimes has difficulty defining how he makes a living to family and friends. Trained as an actor at the George Brown College Theatre School in Toronto (and in Physical Ed at Queen’s U before that), he has performed in professional plays and musicals across the country since 1987, in everything from Miss Saigon (as The Engineer) to Johnny in Frankie & Johnny in the Clair du Lune. And his considerable list of lead and supporting roles in film and TV continues to grow.
These days he also joyfully performs at many festivals and special events as a stilt walker and physical character, most notably as his alter ego – the silly-song-singing Ruffle Redbird. As a musician and singer/songwriter, Peter plays a number of corporate and bar gigs each year, along with many fundraisers, and is ready to record his second original songs CD. As a writer he has written two plays – including a recent eco play for youth with the help of Dr. David Suzuki – a feature screenplay, a doc script on the SE Asian tsunami (for which he traveled to Thailand), and a small book on generosity.
Peter has also worked as a caregiver with physically and mentally challenged adults and kids, as a child care worker with Family Services of Vancouver, and as a physical theatre and circus skills teacher. His volunteer work includes projects with Oxfam and Amnesty International, among others. He will celebrate 20 years as a Big Brother with his little bro Brian in May, 2011.
Peter was born in Conway Ontario, pop. 55, on his family’s dairy farm, has traveled extensively, and recently relocated from Vancouver to Toronto to be nearer to his Mom, who is suffering from dementia.
The father of two wild and wonderful kids, Peter is now looking at what kind of work is most closely in line with his heart’s true desires, and moving in that direction.
And here’s how he answered my 6 questions about creativity:
What does it mean to you to be creative?
In university I had an anatomy class where we got to ‘play’ with human body parts. Along with being a whole lot of mad fun, I learned about the cremaster muscle, whose main function is to raise and lower the testicles so as to create and keep sperm at the perfect temp for reproduction (that’s why they tell you never to wear those tight undies if you are looking to pop out a little one – the cremaster can’t do it’s job). I thought that was so cool. So I try to live my life in such a way that I am at the optimal physical, mental and spiritual temperature, especially when writing or performing, so that my potential to create true and unique work is highest. Being creative equals a joyous, compelling and genuine life for me.
What inspires your creativity?
Often it’s that nudging by the small inner voice in a quiet time – quite often in the middle of the night, or during a walk or run or hike in nature where I simply can’t ignore it. An idea comes forth, insisting, seemingly from nowhere. I’d like to know where that nowhere is located. So I don’t feel I’m so much inspired as I am asked to listen and then do the job of bringing it forth. The great Canadian playwright, Sheldon Rosen said in one of his classes that writing is like removing an artefact from the earth – your job is to carefully brush away the dirt and to gently remove the already fully-formed piece intact. I love and hold on to that image, in all forms of my work.
What keeps you moving forward in making things happen?
These days it’s Vega hemp products! Y’know, someday I just feel like I need to get that acting job so we can pay some bills and my kids can go see something wild or donate to help the whales or have a house with a yard someday, so it’s fear – and assumed need. Someday I am excited by the knowing that I can still realize my wildest dreams. Mostly I just wake up and there seems like there are a bunch of neat things I could find myself in the middle of out there so I throw my line out and hope for a bite – and maybe it’ll be a whopper! I also don’t have any issues with making a fool of myself, which is a trait I have finally come to appreciate.
What’s the wildest journey your venturesome spirit has taken you on?
I bicycled solo from London, England to Egypt – through the Alps, down the Italian Adriatic, across Greece and so on, working along the way and sleeping wherever I did and refusing all offered rides. One of the best things I have ever done for myself. It was meant to be an around the world trip, wish I’d kept going. I carry that feeling of freedom and wonder with me always, clear as an ocean breeze.
What’s the boldest, most provocative statement you are willing to make?
Even though I work across a very wide range of the performing business, I would say that there really needs to be more kindness in all areas of it, not just in, say, the film and tv biz that is known for its brutal ways. And that’s true of me and the way I work and live my life too. Everything and everyone is moving so quickly these days, and the ideas of courtesy and consideration seemed to have been tossed aside as unimportant or just too time consuming. If we can slow down and speak and act kindly and patiently, even when it seems time will not allow for that, a space opens up, clarity and understanding shine forth, and we all communicate better and more freely. I feel it makes for a happier life and artistic experience.
What’s next for you?
Exciting question. I am really ready to get my eco play for youth out there and produced and touring in schools and communities – any takers? I wrote this play based on the ideas and writings of David Suzuki, with his blessing, and he has been very encouraging. The play has a number of fun endangered animal characters played by actors on stilts, with a young girl as the heroine, and the play and tour will achieve a zero footprint. I guess that is the project that I feel most strongly about making happen. I am really inspired by Dr. Suzuki and his family and foundation. And also by No Impact Man in NYC, who you have to check out.
And my wife and kids and I have just relocated to Toronto to be nearer to my Mom, who is suffering from dementia. I have been visiting her every week and that is a true joy and privilege, having this time with her. I was in Vancouver for 20 years and only saw her 1-2 times a year and am so glad to be closer. I have to say, I just read an amazing book, Still Alice, that looks at the whole Alzheimer’s world from the perspective of the sufferer and it reminds me of what is truly important, and that Mom is still in there. So being with her is THE focus for now.
And being in a new, vibrant, arts-loving city is giving me lots of new ideas and opening up fun work possibilities. I’m busking downtown, I’ve written two new songs recently which I am so happy about, and life is super-busy…and wonder-full!
And here’s some one that inspires Peter’s creativity:
His mom, Eugenie Edna Gaudreau Hagan.
Eugenie is 83 years old. She’s birthed 9 children, became an RNA after that, survived
alcoholism and 4 marriages. Battling dementia and a broken hip, still living with love and kindness one day at a time.
A toast to your optimal temperature Peter, thank you for sharing with us!
Be sure to check out Peter’s website… click here
