Heath Allyn
He played in Sean Patrick Bridges‘ One For The Road Dollar Baby audio production as Gerard Lumley.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Heath Allyn: I am a wearer of many hats! I’d say actor (voice and on camera) and musician are the two most prominent but I’m also a writer, director, producer, and many other things. Polymath some might say though it’s likely super pretentious. In this day and age it’s helpful to have many diverse skills which works out well for me!
SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actor?
Heath Allyn: For as long as I can remember from childhood. I’ve always loved movies, television, and theatre. I made my first stage appearance at the age of 11 in a community theatre production of “Beckett.” My mother had been involved in community theatre since before I was born and so she was toting me along to rehearsals from birth! I still have this vivid memory as a child when I had these shoes that had “A.S.” on the side of them (I’m sure that was the brand or something) and I would pretend I was a spy named “Alan Scott” much like James Bond or something.
SKSM: How did you become involved in One for the road Dollar Baby?
Heath Allyn: June Griffin Garcia and I knew each other from the entertainment business around Austin. She was helping cast “Triple Six,” another audio drama by Sean Bridges and I can’t remember if she reached out to me to audition or if I just submitted an audition on my own, but I was cast as “Contestant Yellow.” So when Sean and June were casting for “One For The Road” they asked me to audition for Gerald Lumley. Luckily for me they liked what I did!
SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?
Heath Allyn: Well first you have Stephen King who seems very widely regarded as the king of the genre and obviously has a huge fanbase. Then of course, vampires have a pretty huge fanbase as well! Add in the suspense, terror and relationships between these characters and it keeps you riveted and on the edge of your seat for sure.
SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?
Heath Allyn: At first Sean said that he really wanted me for the part and thought that no one could do it like I could, which was extremely flattering. At some point he and June decided that they should at least audition some folks for it so I was asked to send one in, which I gladly did. In the end Sean said he was glad to know his first gut instinct was right!
SKSM: You worked with Sean Patrick Bridges on this film, how was that?
Heath Allyn: Sean’s great! Which is why I’ve worked with him twice now. Very easy to work with, upbeat, and just a friendly guy. Plus he really wants to make something great. He cares about the quality of the finished product and works harder than anyone behind the scenes on many aspects of it.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Heath Allyn: Obviously it was a pretty intense script with real emotionally raw moments for my character and others, but we tried to also keep it light between takes. It can definitely be a little strange when you are there in a recording studio with a few others and then have to give a few different variations on an anguished scream or such. I definitely liked the fact that most of us were there in the room reading with each other which isn’t very common in voice acting but it’s nice to work directly off your fellow actors.
SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?
Heath Allyn: I think I’m at least Facebook friends with almost everyone, which I know isn’t a substitute for in person friendships, but in a busy world (and now a pandemic-filled world) it’s nice to still see what people are up to and be able to keep in touch so easily.
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
Heath Allyn: I’ve had a few commercials recently, I’m starring in a comedy musical play called “Boomtown” by Texas Comedies starting in two weeks, plus still playing in many different musical projects (including a new “Yacht Rock” band I formed called “Yacht Z”), making music from my home studio as well as doing voice work. I just finished narrating the second season of “Music’s Greatest Mysteries” on AXS TV as well. I always have a lot of irons in fires as is necessary for a working actor/musician!
SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?
Heath Allyn: I’m not actually a big horror person which I always hesitate to say as I don’t want to alienate any potential employers! Just because I don’t consume it much doesn’t mean I don’t like acting in it! That being said, what I have seen and read from Stephen King I’ve loved!
SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Heath Allyn: That I’m actually a pretty shy, geeky, homebody. Being an actor and musician who can sometimes seem confident and outgoing can be misleading. I am comfortable on a stage or while performing, but off stage/mic/camera I don’t want to bother people and fear that maybe sometimes I seem distant or aloof but it’s just me not wanting to impose myself on others.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Heath Allyn: I truly appreciate you taking the time to talk to me and anyone who takes the time to read this. Though I’ve been doing this for 40ish years now, it has never lost its magic for me. I still enjoy it as much as that kid who wanted to be a spy named “Alan Scott.”
SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?
Heath Allyn: I once played Banquo in Macbeth and a reviewer said that I was “Abundantly audible.” I’ll never forget that as it still makes me laugh. I mean, that’s not a bad thing. I certainly aim to be audible. In abundance.
