Friday, August 30, 2013

Meeting Mike Rowe

I had the opportunity to meet Mike Rowe (the Dirty Jobs guy) this summer.  And while I did not know who he was by name until a few weeks before I ended up shaking his hand, it was exciting nonetheless.  I got to chat with him briefly about where he grew up and about the foundation he has recently started.  And I learned that Mike Rowe and I have at least two things in common: we are both from Baltimore and we are both very proud of our dads.

See, I didn't meet him on the set of a Toyota commercial, or while traveling to San Francisco where he lives.  I met him on the campus of Essex Community College in Baltimore, Maryland.  Because he, like me, was there to see his father perform in a community theater production.

Now, I don't know John Rowe's history with acting, but I know Thom Peters'.  In high school, my dad discovered the stage and continued to pursue his love in college by majoring in drama.  He even embarked on a graduate degree in play writing, but left early to come home to my mom and start a family.  Dad left acting behind shortly thereafter and while he would occasionally recite Shakespeare and continued to religiously recognize the birthday of the great bard, his days of playing Macbeth were done.

But about six years ago, something must have bit him in the butt.  Maybe old Willy Shakes himself appeared to him in a dream.  My dad decided, after a nearly thirty year hiatus, to audition again.

The first few auditions didn't result in any parts, but he persevered until the right part came along.  Four summers ago he landed a leading role in two different plays and I got to see my daddy on stage!  It was thrilling to finally watch him do something he had always loved.  It was as if I got to meet my own father again for the first time.

Since then, my dad has performed in several more plays and I have eagerly attended each one.  And one of those times, I got to meet Mike Rowe.  Because he, like me, is just a good kid from Baltimore who is very proud of his dad.

The 2013 cast of "Social Security" at Essex's Cockpit in Court.
My dad is wearing a red tie.  Mike Rowe's dad is wearing a bow tie.
Read a review of the show here.


Mike Rowe and me after the performance.

24 comments:

  1. That is AMAZING! Your dad gives me hope - I stopped doing theatre to be a "responsible adult," but I miss it a lot - hopefully, I'll get back to it someday. :)

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    1. I hope you will! And I can't wait to read about it.

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  2. Kristin, nice! And, while I understand why you titled the entry as you did, while it was great to Meet Mike Rowe, it's even better to Meet Thom Peters. :)

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    1. Exactly!! Glad you were picking up what I was putting down :)

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  3. I only sort of know who Mike Rowe is. But, how cool for your dad!! I can feel how proud you are of him :)

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    1. I still only sort of know who he is. But I have met his mom and dad ;)

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  4. I love mike Rowe...And your dad sounds like a lot of fun...ya gotta love that!

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    1. Sorry YOU didn't get to meet him. My dad is a lot of fun.

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  5. I love your ending -- and what a cool experience!

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    1. Thank you. It was a fun evening to say the least.

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  6. This is so cool! Mike Rowe awesome but the fact that your dad has had the opportunity to pick up an old hobby and excel at it is fantastic ;D

    PS, I have that same blue dress. It has pretty much been my uniform this summer ;D

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  7. It sounds like your dad is still teaching you some important life lessons-it's never too late to go back to something you love, and, if you love something, keep trying until you succeed.

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    1. Two great pieces of advice, indeed. I am lucky to have such a great father.

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  8. It's so great that your dad got back to it and that you get to see him perform.

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  9. That is amazing. Thank you so much for coming by. I really appreciate the welcome to the community.

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    1. This is the best place on the interwebs...referring to yeah write, of course, though I must admit to liking my own blog quite a bit...

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  10. This is beautiful! I'm coming down to see your dad next time!

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    1. That would be awesome! Your mom was there at least one of the times I went.

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  11. This is amazing, and your dad is awesome. Also, I LOVE the dress you're wearing in that picture. Very Kate Middleton :)

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    1. My dad IS awesome. I heard Mike Rowe was an anglophile so...(um, right.) But, thanks! I like it too ;)

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