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If richness of experience allows an actor to flourish, Timothy Scott Riggs is in full bloom.
In 2001, the Lancaster man traveled to Kenya for a youth conference of more than 2,000 young adults from Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, where he was expected to teach the next generation a song.
"Their voices were so amazing," he said. "I taught the men and women separate parts. The men began, and did a pretty good job, but they were a little more reserved. When the women came in with their part, I am not exaggerating when I say I felt some kind of wind practically knock me over as I sang and played my drum with them.
"The power of their voices was so strong that it had an intense emotional, spiritual and visceral impact. It was one of the most incredible experiences I think I will ever have."
Riggs is known around the county for acting in local theater groups, but teaching is a large part of his repertoire as well.
"I've been working as a teaching artist for about seven years," he said. "In addition to acting professionally for Theater of the Seventh Sister, I also work in their Shakespeare Face-to-Face program. [It] takes Shakespeare into schools and works to make it more accessible, while helping students to recognize themes and dramatic constructs to which they can relate on a personal level."
Riggs trained in a program through the Fulton Theatre called Neighborhood Bridges, where he later taught in after-school programs and summer youth classes. He also performs in a reggae band, 21st Century Dreamtime Lions. "Reggae is a music that feels like it was made for me," he said. "I love it all. In general, I have always really connected with the music of the African diaspora."
Riggs is on the board of Ephrata Performing Arts Center. "In addition to the incredibly artistically rewarding work I've gotten to do onstage, I've also gotten to cut my teeth a little with directing and dip my toes into the world of producing," he said. "Being a part of EPAC on multiple levels and being given so many opportunities has been an invaluable growth experience."
Age: 32 (Don't tell Hollywood.).
Family: My dad, Randy, and my mom, Cherie; sister, Holly; sister-in-law, Brenda; nieces, Emma, soon-to-be 8, and Nya, 1; and adopted grandmother Marian "Mimmi" Williams.
Education: Jenkintown High School, class of '95; attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and received a bachelor's degree in English from Millersville University.
My first job was: Pizza Hut takeout/delivery at age 15. And I can count on the hand of a clumsy carpenter the number of times I've eaten it since. The ever-lingering odor of raw pizza dough kinda took the magic out of it for me.
A cause I support: I am adamant that the arts are essential to a child's development, and that they should be a healthy priority for educators. I applaud schools that recognize the holistic benefits and brilliant interdisciplinary potential of integrating the arts as a key component of student life. It's a tragedy to me that these are not more universally recognized, that we must continue to fight for the mere existence of arts programs in schools!
One thing I've learned: The world would be a much better place if we'd all just put on our compassion-and-empathy-colored goggles, yet too many people seem to have buried them in a junk drawer of nonsense.
People may be surprised to know that I: Have always had a remarkable ability to retain sports statistics.
My favorite play to watch: I once saw a production of Euripides' "The Bacchae" that incorporated West African drumming and Japanese Kabuki. It was mesmerizing.
My favorite plays to perform in: "The Pillowman" as Katurian; "Stones in His Pockets"; "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as Puck; "The Drawer Boy" as Miles; "The Laramie Project"; "All In The Timing"; and "Dog Sees God" as Van.
If I could have any role, it would be: I'm going to play Hamlet in 2010, the dream of many actors. I'm also dying to play Hal in "Henry IV, Part 1." Or any character that gets to have a love scene with Jessica Alba.
The book on my nightstand is: "Looking For Hamlet," by Marvin W. Hunt.
Secret ambition: To tap-dance like Savion Glover.
The title of my autobiography would be: At this moment in my life, something like "Grasp vs. Reach: A Fight to the Death" feels most appropriate. But I'm sure I can come up with a better title than that
Favorite quote: "You must be intentional about your life." — My mother.
Melissa Julius is a member of the Sunday News staff. Contact her at mjulius@lnpnews.com.
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