Parker Murphy
Life and Trust, the new immersive experience in the Financial District roots itself in Faust dreams and nightmares. Parker Murphy plays a young J.G. Conwell, who’s green elixir drags those who consume it into a spiral of despair and addiction. When the great crash of 1929 destroys everything he has known, he’s given the choice: will he re-do it all and create a different life for himself? Or will greed and success entice him into the same horror as before?
Murphy’s credits include Associate Resident Director for Punchdrunk’s award-winning production Sleep No More where he also performed in several roles in the show. He served as Assistant Choreographer and Dance Captain in An American in Paris and has performed with countless dance companies nationally.
Read our first On The Couch interview of the season, where Parker, among other insights, lets us into his most embarrassing moment while performing (could it get more embarrassing than this entry?).
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What do you consider to be your best asset?
Empathy
What was your proudest moment?
Hmmm, my junior year in high school, I made the Colorado All-State Choir after so much training and prep work. I remember when it was announced in class and I was numb with shock until I got home that evening.
What is your favorite drink?
Water. How plain, but honestly it’s hard to beat.
What is your favorite food?
Not a single food, but Mediterranean cuisine. Olives, feta, onion, the works.
What is your favorite condiment?
Hummus…is that a condiment?
What is your current obsession?
NYT puzzles, I am weirdly competitive with myself about completing them every day.
If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
My sweet tooth. It’s insatiable.
What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
I co-run an immersive theater company, OddKnock Productions, and I would love to see it reach its fullest potential. Imagine a permanent space, progressive full time contracts for artists, creating thoughtful, challenging and thought-provoking work.
What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
I’m a sucker for a good cup of coffee and a nice pastry.
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
Sometimes I feel like I have done nothing and the day is over.
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
Social media. It creates such an unhealthy set of comparisons and unrealistic expectations for the nuances of life.
What’s the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
My compassion and work ethic.
What’s the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
People pleasing.
What in the world most thrills you?
Honestly, performing! I LOVE the chaos when things do not go as planned. There is nothing more thrilling than having a full audience in front of you and having to problem solve in the moment and rely on your understanding of character and presence.
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
The need to record and share every moment of one’s life is mind boggling to me.
What was the most embarrassing moment you’ve ever experienced on the job?
I was in an immersive show where I was “renewed” and had to strip down and swim through a tank of water. When I emerged on the other side, my cast mate was supposed to have a box full of fresh clothes for me to put on. He opened the box and it was empty, we just looked at each other and he shrugged his shoulders. There was audience all around us.
What is your favorite place in the world?
I grew up in Colorado, so the mountains will always hold a special place in my heart.
What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
Honesty, communication, and joy
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
Dogs! I have a 100lb Great Dane mix and she is everything!
What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
Oh heck, this is hard but feels like any day where my brain mostly exists in the present moment is a good one.
What is your personal motto?
Right now it is that “I am more than just my career.”