Great story. I think your year got better guest actors than my years (at AADA).
Ours were ok - Don Murray,, Carole Shelley, Madeliene Sherwood....others ,but forgot
who the others were.
I would've loved to have heard John Cassavettes, major fan of his.
Diana Riggs went to AADA?
I remember Sacheen LIttlefeather turning down Brando's oscar.
That was a big deal.|
Would've loved hearing what Redford had to say about that.
He was progressive, and had some connections with Native Americans.
I think Redford first got interested in their lives, after he did 'Tell Them Willie Boy Sent him'.
I think the year of the streaker was even better, as an oscar shocker,, especially David Niven's response.
Never met Redford. |
But had a friend who had stories of working on Indecent Proposal with Redford,
being the major gambler that he was, he taught Redford, Harrelson barrarat and other casino games.
He was quite the character, started as an extra, then Adrian Lyne just loved his personality,, his real character (my friend, not Redford), and created a real role for him.
But he ended screwing it up and they fired him.
Don't know if you ever had Harryetta Peterka.
She was my main acting instructor.
Cherished her words.
She would tell us stories of Redford as a student at AADA, as she was in the same year as Redford, at AADA.
Redford was a decent actor. Good director.
Loved his humbleness and honesty about himself.
When asked why he hadn't been doing as much acting, once he started Sundance and directing more, he said 'a few reasons. Wanted to do more directing. And had this grand vision of creating a place for independent films,
Where they could workshop films that had potential.
I was on the list a couple times to be one of the actors there.
Most people only know Sundance Film Festival.
But his 'baby' was really the Sundance Institute, where they workshopped small films.
He added that there also was a bit of guilt as an actor.
As many times he didn't know if he was cast because of his acting. or because of his good looks. He hoped it was acting, but felt many times it was his looks.
That's great insight in oneself.
Think his greatest gift was Sundance Institute, as well as his modesty
Don't recall that Riggs was a grad of AADA, but SHE WAS a guest speaker to our class! She was great! Have to look up whether she went to AADA. She may have!
What a fun story! I enjoyed reading it. About four years ago, I wrote a letter to Robert Redford thanking him for creating Sundance Resort and making it open to the public. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed vacationing and visiting Sundance, and he was nice enough to send a reply through his assistant. As an actor, he was “before my time”, but I admire all of his accomplishments. Great article, Kim!
Ah!! Thank you so much Kari. We just finished an amazing rehearsal. Love to have you join us for a sneak peak soon. Thank you for sharing your writing talent with our cast and your books too. Oh, and his movies, many of them are classics now. Find Barefoot in the Park and watch!
Beautifully written. Thank you. 🩷
Great story. I think your year got better guest actors than my years (at AADA).
Ours were ok - Don Murray,, Carole Shelley, Madeliene Sherwood....others ,but forgot
who the others were.
I would've loved to have heard John Cassavettes, major fan of his.
Diana Riggs went to AADA?
I remember Sacheen LIttlefeather turning down Brando's oscar.
That was a big deal.|
Would've loved hearing what Redford had to say about that.
He was progressive, and had some connections with Native Americans.
I think Redford first got interested in their lives, after he did 'Tell Them Willie Boy Sent him'.
I think the year of the streaker was even better, as an oscar shocker,, especially David Niven's response.
Never met Redford. |
But had a friend who had stories of working on Indecent Proposal with Redford,
being the major gambler that he was, he taught Redford, Harrelson barrarat and other casino games.
He was quite the character, started as an extra, then Adrian Lyne just loved his personality,, his real character (my friend, not Redford), and created a real role for him.
But he ended screwing it up and they fired him.
Don't know if you ever had Harryetta Peterka.
She was my main acting instructor.
Cherished her words.
She would tell us stories of Redford as a student at AADA, as she was in the same year as Redford, at AADA.
Redford was a decent actor. Good director.
Loved his humbleness and honesty about himself.
When asked why he hadn't been doing as much acting, once he started Sundance and directing more, he said 'a few reasons. Wanted to do more directing. And had this grand vision of creating a place for independent films,
Where they could workshop films that had potential.
I was on the list a couple times to be one of the actors there.
Most people only know Sundance Film Festival.
But his 'baby' was really the Sundance Institute, where they workshopped small films.
He added that there also was a bit of guilt as an actor.
As many times he didn't know if he was cast because of his acting. or because of his good looks. He hoped it was acting, but felt many times it was his looks.
That's great insight in oneself.
Think his greatest gift was Sundance Institute, as well as his modesty
Aw loved reading your response, thanks AADA brother!!
I was one of the few who didn't have Peterka. Not sure she was there my two years.
Don't recall that Riggs was a grad of AADA, but SHE WAS a guest speaker to our class! She was great! Have to look up whether she went to AADA. She may have!
What a fun story! I enjoyed reading it. About four years ago, I wrote a letter to Robert Redford thanking him for creating Sundance Resort and making it open to the public. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed vacationing and visiting Sundance, and he was nice enough to send a reply through his assistant. As an actor, he was “before my time”, but I admire all of his accomplishments. Great article, Kim!
Ah!! Thank you so much Kari. We just finished an amazing rehearsal. Love to have you join us for a sneak peak soon. Thank you for sharing your writing talent with our cast and your books too. Oh, and his movies, many of them are classics now. Find Barefoot in the Park and watch!
Great memory!
Oh, it is and love to trot it out from time to time!