Mr. Rose is an actor/writer from the San Francisco Bay area who currently resides in The Big Apple. He is a graduate of the renowned National Theatre Conservatory’s MFA program, and also continued his studies at The Atlantic Theatre Company, UCB (The Upright Citizens Brigade) and PIT (The Peoples Improv Theatre).

No stranger to intense theatrical training, Mr. Rose not only prides himself in being a thespian; he equally enjoys writing and producing, as well. Consequently, he helped co-produce and star in a web-series, The Leif Garrison Project that garnered much attention and accumulated a cult-like following. At present, Mr. Rose has enveloped himself in his latest adventure, 50 Characters in 50 weeks.

50 Characters in 50 weeks is Mr. Rose’s online video project where you will find the multi-talented performer exhibiting his intense engagement in the given conditions of his newly developed characters. The ensuing merriment is aired every Friday along with his observations and insight regarding his creative journey—which is just as intriguing as the footage is amusing.

What made Brent Rose commit to this venture? He admitted that one of his eventual goals included acting in projects that he had written. Therefore, he simply asked himself, “How can I do this now”? And the answer was 50 in 50.

When asked where he derives the inspiration each week for his characters, he explained, “They all come from different places”. “Some characters have been inspired by people that I’ve seen or known, but many have been based around concepts, and then I sort of build outwards.”

For example, in “Brett Dempsey Isn’t Drunk” it all started with the question, “What would happen if someone’s body was drunk but his brain was sober?” (That led him to more questions…how would he do this, how would he feel about it, etc.) Mr. Rose believes that it’s really about asking your self the right questions.

Another example includes, his Penis Pump (week 15) episode, which is a pseudo-music video and a favorite of many on-line viewers (including yours truly). Rose explained that that particular episode started with the said prop. An unidentified friend of his gave him this entire penis pump rig that looked more or less like some medieval torture device, and told Mr. Rose the story behind it. Admittedly, his friend expressed mortification that he had ever purchased the thing (which makes it even funnier that his friend really bought this contraption), but Rose took some creative license (washed the hell out of it) and viola, some online entertainment for all of us.

“There are a lot of stories swimming around in me that I want to express and this process is an integral part of that”, expresses Rose. “I’m endlessly fascinated by human beings, and I think this project is also very much an exploration and a celebration of humanity. I hope people will watch and help me celebrate.”

Mr. Rose admits that the toughest part of developing his characters is simply his lack of time. Trying to balance the rent with his commitment can be grueling and sleepless nights seem to abound since his pledge to himself approximately 20 weeks ago. It has been suggested that he try to find funding for the second half of the project and that is just what he proposes to do with the website: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/brentrose/50-characters-in-50-weeks

Besides giving us uncanny and memorable characters like a sober man with an alcohol problem, a quintessential New Yorker, and an effeminate chap with an unsuitable adoration for trees (giving a whole new meaning to tree hugger), he gives us so much more, he sheds some light into what it’s really like for most actors. It is something that people don’t hear about that often, besides celebrity gossip. Rose says, “Mine is more of a working class story that can also be utilized as a sort of resource for actors who are interested in character acting technique.”

Be sure to log on to view Brent Rose’s distinct and hysterical characters each week, one thing is for sure, you will not log off without a chuckle or two, maybe even a snort.

Check out: www.50in50.wordpress.com

Photos provided by B. Rose