Actor | Scholar
Originally hailing from Colorado, with ties to Texas, Chicago, and Los Angeles, Troy is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Theatre & Performance at the University at Buffalo SUNY. His research delves into villains and performer wellness, using a critical masculinity lens within gender studies. Troy holds an MA in Theatre & Performance Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder and a BFA from Colorado State University. He completed The Second City Training Center Conservatory Program in Chicago and is a certified Consent-Forward Artist through Intimacy Directors & Coordinators (IDC).
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Troy has often played more villainous characters. With a repertoire of scumbags, ne’er-do-wells, and frequent stage deaths (up to five times in a single show), he has developed a keen interest in bad-guy roles. At CU Boulder, he began focusing his research on villains and performer wellness, exploring the methodology of playing villains to understand the impact of roles that inflict unjustified physical or emotional harm. His goal is to prioritize safety and mental health for performers on and off stage, developing approaches to playing villains that avoid creating genuinely harmful experiences. As a PhD student at the University at Buffalo SUNY, he continues exploring villains and performer wellness, incorporating gender studies, intimacy and trauma work, and socioeconomic influences.
Troy's performance experience includes the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, touring nationally with The National Theatre for Children, performing with the irreverent Defiant Theatre (RIP), and embracing camp performance with Hell in a Handbag Productions.​ Favorite roles include Marcus in The Book of Will (Colorado Shakespeare Festival), Stephano in The Tempest (Foothills Theatre Company), Eglamour in Two Gentlemen of Verona (Colorado Shakespeare Festival), Laertes in Hamlet (Foothills Theatre Company), and "Evil" in The Birds (Hell in a Handbag Productions). Troy is a proud member of AEA and SAG/AFTRA and appreciates the efforts of these unions to ensure safer working conditions.
Outside the theatrical realm, Troy is an accomplished distance runner (marathons and ultra-marathons), a quiet vegan, and an animal activist. He loves a good rainstorm, a hot cup of coffee, and doting on his Westie – Maggie Mayhem – with his partner.
Publications:
"The Uncoupling of Humanity Aboard the Pullman Car Hiawatha"
Thornton Wilder Journal (2023) 4 (2): 200–222.
Acting Spotlight:
Theatre
The Book of Will
By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Rodney Lizcano
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Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Boulder, Colorado
Role: Marcus / Hemmings (u/s) / Crane (u/s)
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"Not of an age, but for all time." So reads the posthumous tribute to Shakespeare in the First Folio, the first-ever published compilation of the playwright's work. An evocative love letter to one of theatre's greats, The Book of Will tells the heartfelt and hilarious true story of the artists and friends who undertook the herculean effort to publish the Bard's plays in the wake of his death.
Production information on the Performance page.
Beyond the Stage
As a runner, vegan, and animal activist who's also pursuing a Ph.D. in theatre arts. I believe strongly in wellness and balance. I hope to be a voice of change, promoting a healthy and ethical lifestyle that encourages people to stay fit and focused. I will happily come to cheer you on in any race at any pace.
Recently, I've been collaborating with renowned running brands like UnTapped, Nuun, RADrabbit, League of Garmin, and Picky Bars to help promote active living and sustainable practices. I am also proud to be a sponsored athlete by Vander Jacket, a Colorado maker of incredible, environmentally-friendly running gear. Follow me on Strava or the socials and let's make the world a bit of a better place.
