Bobby Moreno
Where are you from and where do you reside now?
I'm originally from Austin, TX and Elmont, NY. The first of many dualities about me. Another is that I’m currently bi-coastal. NY and LA.
What is your artistic discipline?
I’m an actor and an emcee/producer.
When did you become a Member?
I came in with a wave of like 40 youngish folks right around 2008. I did a show called Okay by Taylor Mac with an incredible cast of young actors in the marathon. Then I stayed on to work on the next series, in which someone turned into a tree in a Jose Rivera play and the late Michael Feingold (critic from the Voice) also had a show. Then after doing Asking for Trouble was asked to join as a member.
What is one of your favorite EST Memories?
So so so so so so so many. I refuse to pick one…
Billy Carden’s surprise birthday where we told the story of his life in plays.
The final dress of Year of the Rooster where we fought by dipping our fists in buckets of blood and punching. The cleanup at intermission took 45 minutes. So we cut the blood.
Laying on the floor in the dark singing coyotes by Don Edwards next to Scott Sowers and yelping into the warm, sticky night.
Brian Quijada’s mom picking his brother Marvin in their beatbox battle at Last Call.
Being up in the balcony with about 800 people chanting Steve Boyer’s name when he won his Obie for Hand to God.
Being at the stage door chanting Shawn Randall’s name when he made his Broadway debut in Between Crazy and Riverside.
A good old fashioned clap-out. If you know, you know.
The US Open debut show where I’m pretty sure Jeff Beihl sang a Cage the Elephant song.
Diana Oh playing a song called “I wanna be in the US Open” and then joining the band that night.
Damn I love that place.
What is influencing or inspiring your artistry right now?
Death. Babies. Middle age. I'm really into Chekov.
Who are your artistic influences?
Kendrick. Leguizamo. Bogosian. Andre 3000. Bowie.
What was the best play/film/TV you watched recently?
Just saw Paul Sparks in Grangeville. Damn. I want to see that dude in everything forever.
What advice do you have for emerging theatermakers that you wish you knew?
People pleasing is the death of art. There’s so much luck and timing in who “makes it”. Stay true to yourself and your path will reveal itself. It may not be what you want, but more than likely, it's what you need.
What are you working on now?
I spent the last 5 years in the woods of Westchester developing a project around an alter ego, Ol’ Bob. Its turned into a full length hip-hop album about fatherhood, addiction, love and loss. I just released the first single, Kintsugi, last week. I’m also developing it into a solo show that I performed for the first time at EST recently.
How can people connect with you?
olbobhasbars.com