Questions & Answers with...

Paul Sparks stars in Stephen Belber's Dusk Rings a Bell now playing Off-Broadway at Atlantic's Stage 2.

Birthday
October 16th. 1971.

Place of birth?
Lawton, OK.

You now live in?
East Village.

Did you go to training school, if so which one?
Okla. State Univ. & NYU.

As an actor, do you have a preference for stage, TV or film?
I like theater the most.

Your first stage performance was?
I think it was called "Uncle Billy's Candy Shop." I played uncle billy. I was in kindergarten.

Career highlight to date?
This interview.

What roles would you most like to play?
Well written ones.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Contrary to the adage "don't sweat the small stuff," do, in fact, sweat the small stuff.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?
I had to leave the stage to go to the bathroom during a play in which i played an inmate on death row.

What is the most annoying part about your job?
Being away from my family.

Briefly tell us how you become involved with Dusk Rings a Bell
I've known and admired Stephen (Stephen Belber - playwright) and Sam (Sam Gold - Director) for a while. They sent me the play and i liked it.

Briefly tell us about the character you play in Dusk Rings a Bell?
I am not very good at describing characters while I'm playing them. However I am fairly certain that Ray is a complicated guy.

If you had not become a performer, what might you have done instead?
A coach, or perhaps a professional bass fisherman.

Who are your favorite actors/actresses?
I like a lot of people.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?
Probably Chris Farley but I don't know what I would say. I just really liked Chris Farley.

Favorite after-show haunts?
Whatever is nearby.

What was the last book you read, and name some of your favorite authors?
I like fantasy novels.

What was the last film you saw, and name some of your favorite movies?
I have a 7 month old child, so I don't remember the last movie I saw, but I like documentaries.

Favorite TV programs?
I like to watch baseball, competitive cooking and professional cycling.

Favorite holiday destinations?
Belize.

Do you have any hobbies?
Crossword puzzles.

Do you have any superstitions?
Not really but I'll try anything.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?
I failed to mention I also watch Survivorman so I wouldn't need anything.

What are your future plans?
I'm hoping to get some more jobs.