@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody and welcome to Twitterview with @MikeRylander as our guest. (Sorry, no Doritos or stunts today.)
Q – #1 So @MikeRylander – Where did you grown up, and what are some of the steps that led you to what you do today?
A: I grew up in Minot, North Dakota where I started performing onstage when I was in the 3rd grade…
I stopped performing when I was in junior high as I played sports all-year round, but rediscovered theatre my Sr year.
After high school, I attended @NDSU on scholarship for Computer Engineering & Mathematics. (I was a “good” student)
It was there that I realized my skills in those areas didn’t translate to a ‘passion’ for engineering & math.
It was also there (@NDSU) that discovered ‘improv’. I was hooked instantly. I moved back home, saved $ & moved to Mpls.
Q – #2 So once you were in Mpls. What kind of work have you done, and who have you worked with or for?
A: Studied & performed improv & sketch comedy at @BNWImprov for 4yrs & have been working professionally for the past 5yrs.
@MikeRylander – So what you do now, is it more promoting, acting or interviewing? Would you like to do more commercials?
The work I’ve done in Mpls has been very diverse. I’ve performed in many theatrical productions with many companies…
…I’ve been the In-Arena Game Host / Co-Announcer for the @MNTimberwolves for the past 5 seasons…
…I’m a Guest Host for @ShopNBC, an On-Air Host for LTF Vision – @lifetimefitness’ national in-club tv network…
…I’m a former Live Event Emcee for @fsnorth, a former On-Air Personality for the Twin Cities @cw_network…
…I’ve been in a plethora of local & national commercials, training videos, web videos, short films, etc…
My 1st love is & will always be acting. Storytelling. Invoking emotion & thought. Playing characters. Making people laugh…
Hosting work, promotional work, even commercials – they are a means to an end. They are a way for me to pay my bills.
Don’t get me wrong, I like hosting. I LOVE my job w/ the @MNTimberwolves. I like working on funny tv & web commercials.
But ultimately, *acting* in feature films & narrative television is the goal. Storytelling. That’s when I’m happiest.
Unfortunately, that type of work isn’t prevelant in Mpls, so I do what I have to do now to get where I want to be then.
Q – #3 A professional “career juggler”? :) Good for you! So how do you use Social Media in your work and personal life?
A: Social media, especially Twitter, has changed EVERYTHING. It’s applications & uses are incredibly diverse…
It allows artists & entertainers to promote their work (of all kinds) on a global level for free. It connects people.
Twitter in particular connects artists & comedians to other artists & comedians in a way that was unimagined before.
It creates new friendships, strengthens old ones & ultimately, allows a free medium to broadcast thoughts, ideas & your work.
Q – #4 FAVS questions – Favorite: restaurant, store, MN lake & summer activity?
A: Fav restaurant: @commonroots. Fav store: Hmm. I kind of hate shopping. Materialism will destroy us all. Live simple.
Fav lake: Sakakawea (ND). MN? Any of them. Still trying to hit all 14K. Fav summer activity: Camping. Hiking. Nature.
Q – #5 Nice comment on living simple! :) So to end, what thought or mantra would you like to leave with everyone?
A: “Dream as though you’ll live forever, live as though you’ll die today.” -James Dean (That quote changed my life)
Also life-changing: the movie “Waiting for Guffman” and the book “The Alchemist”. Don’t dream it; be it.
@JoelECarlson – Thank you @MikeRylander. This interview was MORE than I expected. Nice work! Have a great afternoon and GO WOLVES! :)
@MikeRylander – No Joel; thank YOU.
