Q&A: Actor, composer tells his story

By: MJ Brickey

Posted: 4/27/09

Q & A, getting to know Jacob Packer, music & drama major, who made SSU stage debut in The Good Doctor.

Q: Who are you, anyway?

A: My name is Jacob Packer and I am 30 years old. I'm one year away from earning BIS in Music and Drama.

Q: What brought you to Portsmouth?

A: I'm here by chance mostly. After attending Marygrove University in Detroit in 2005-2006, I joined up for their Study Abroad program and moved to London, England to study music, drama and poetry at Kingston University. After a year of studying in the UK, I came back to the states in 2007 to find that the rest of my family had moved to Russell Kentucky. I stayed with my family in 2007-2008 while trying to figure out where I wanted to finish school. After deciding that I never wanted to live in Detroit again, I started looking at different universities in the tri-state area. Shawnee University caught my eye. I was pleased to find that the tuition was very low compared to the previous schools I have attended. So I decided to finish here while I save up money to move closer to New York.

Q: Tell us about your experience in music and theatre and how your interests were first sparked in them both?

A: I have always been interested in music; especially Rock music. I started playing guitar when I was 12-years-old, and by the time I was 15-years-old, I was writing my own songs. My friends and I started a novelty punk band called "Toke Hole". We were like a bunch of vile comedians with instruments. When I was 21, I decided to start studying music at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Michigan. I reluctantly started taking to other styles of music like Minimalism, Opera and Avant Garde then my writing capabilities started taking a turn for the better (at least I think so). Then I dropped out of school for a year and joined a theatrical Death Metal band. We were kind of like a Slip Knot-rip-off band, but with more theatrics. We played around Michigan, Ohio and Illinois with some of our favorite bands like "The Misfits", "Clutch", "Fear Factory", "Kittie" and others. We played out "Mushroom Head" often. At the time they were developing right along with us, but we broke up. I'm glad that "Mushroom Head" didn't, because they have come a long way since then and I love their music. After the "Hate Work" project was exhausted, I went back to school at Henry ford Community College. My therapist suggested that I start taking acting classes, so that I could express my pent up emotions. I took to it immediately, because it alleviated my depression. I picked up new ideas as my acting teacher, Jerry Dzublinski, turned me on to performance art. I started putting on productions which entailed monologues over original musical pieces, mimes, props and costumes. The project was called Mercury Retrograde Productions and with the help of some friends, I put on the performances all around Michigan.

Q: I would ask you "what is your favorite song?", but asking a music enthusiast (like myself) that question, is like asking "Mother Dugger" which child of her 18 is her favorite; so instead I will ask: where are your primary interests in music and what do you do with those interests?

A: In response to that question the first song that comes to mind is "In Power We Trust In the Love Advocated" by Dead Can Dance. I mention this song among my many favorites because the title and the lyrics sum up what I think life is all about; Spiritual and selfless love for every person and thing around you. My primary interests in music lie in Psychadelia, Theatrical sound-scapes and nice, simple heartfelt songs. I take all my influences such as "Pink Floyd", "Philip Glass", "Dead Can Dance", "Diamanda Galas" and "Faith No More" and incorporate them into one eclectic blend. I plan to keep working on the Mercury Retrograde Project with these influences in mind. I love the idea that music and drama can be used as religious or spiritual purposes and want to incorporate these ideas into my original material.

Q: I heard you have worked on two plays (Annette's Fantasy and The Good Doctor) in a short amount of time; tell us how that has been going:

A: The two plays have been a lot of fun to work on. I have sacrificed some sleep and study time but it has all been worth it. Ammy Phipps has been a pleasure to work with. We almost always find ourselves in agreement over musical matters which make the process that much more enjoyable. I've had lots of fun with the "Good Doctor" cast.

Q: Tell us something that many people don't know about you:

A: I guess many people don't realize that I'm a certified astrologer. Most people don't believe in astrology anyway so it's not something I bring up to most people. Though music and drama are both my first love, metaphysics, astrology and theology are very important to me as well. I incorporate them into my art more than most people realize. For instance, I gave each of my characters in the 'Good Doctor' a zodiac sign because it helps to give them a fuller range of suggestive traits. It helps make the characters more real to me.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: My favorite type of food is Chinese because you get a wide variety of dishes that include important food groups like vegetables, grains and protein. Chinese is generally very good for you as long as you avoid the MSG.

Q: Do you like brussel-sprouts? Why or why not (I like them with cheese)?

A: I'm not comfortable with a personal question like that. That's between me and God and I don't want to say anything I might regret later.

Q: Tell us all about your love life or lack of one (If I were your publicist, I would tell you not to answer that one; just smile and nod):

A: All I'll say is that I'm a happy man.

Q: Read any good books?

A: I love to read books. They give me tons of inspiration for my artistic endeavors. My favorites are "The Tao of Physics", "The Tibetan Book of the Dead", "The Celestian prophecy", "A Life of Aliester Crowley" and "The Bible". I love anything about metaphysics, quantum physics, religion or astrology.

Q: If you were asked to say anything to a mass audience (besides potty words and what not, not that you would, but you never know) what would it be?

A: Treat yourselves and each other with love, honor and respect and no matter what anybody tells you "don't eat the yellow snow"!

Q: When you are famous, will you give a special shout-out to MJ Brickey and The University Chronicle?

A: Yes I will and I am very thankful that you have taken interest in my pursuits.