These past two months, I’ve had the privilege of working with Michael Kearns on his original play Bloodbound. That represented one of those moments when my life truly came full circle. Let me explain.

When I first arrived in Los Angeles, I saw Michael’s acting class advertised in a local West Hollywood publication. Some inner instinct prompted me to call him up on the phone, despite my anxiety’s protestations. Within a week or so, I joined the class, meeting one of my best friends Rex Lee in the very first session.

So I was truly honored when, all these years later, Michael called me up (or hit me up on facebook to be precise) and asked me to be part of his original play Bloodbound, directed by Mark Bringelson. Although I haven’t seen every piece Michael created over the years, I believe it’s the best writing Michael’s ever done. The play explores a haunted sexual encounter that forever changes an important relationship, set against the backdrop of the disco scene on the one hand and prison on the other.

My castmates Gordon Thompson, Greg Ainsworth, and Mike Bash are all terrific in their roles, too.

Because Guys Reading Poems took so much of my time, it had been several years since I’d performed in a play. Making the experience more meaningful were all the reunions that took place. In attendance during the course of our run were friends and co-stars Rex Lee, Patricia Velasquez, Dale Raoul, Patrick Kennelly (editor of Guys Reading Poems) and I even got to catch up with Sheena Metal, along with Greg and Gordon, to talk about the piece on her radio show.

Thanks to everyone for a wonderful experience. Judging by Bloodbound, the best is yet to come for Michael Kearns!

-Hunter