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Curtain Call: OSF play inspired this kid to life in the theater By Jim Flint Sep 02, 2022 05:30 AM A A Galen Schmoling, seen here as Dr. Watson in an Oregon Cabaret Theatre 2019 production of "Sherlock Holmes and the Sign of the Four," will reprise his role as the venerable doctor in "Sherlock Holmes and the Final Problem," opening Sept. 15 at the Cabaret in Ashland. Photo by Bryon Devore. Galen Schmoling, seen here as Dr. Watson in an Oregon Cabaret Theatre 2019 production of "Sherlock Holmes and the Sign of the Four," will reprise his role as the venerable doctor in "Sherlock Holmes and the Final Problem," opening Sept. 15 at the Cabaret in Ashland. Photo by Bryon Devore. It might have been the career “aha” moment for Galen Schmoling. The Rogue Valley kid was watching a production of Shakespeare’s “Cariolanus” at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival when the actors came rappelling over the sides of the Elizabethan Theatre on ropes to enter the stage. “I remember my mouth hanging open and feeling an immediate adrenaline rush, like I was entering another world,” he said, a world he soon became a part of as a youngster. Now 36, Schmoling is the director of talent acquisition and client relations for The Confident Companies, an Oregon-based corporation that provides staffing services in Oregon and Washington. Corporate headquarters are in Medford but he works out of the Portland office. Schmoling is also a singer and actor with a long résumé of performance credits in the Rogue Valley and beyond. In fact, he’s been cast as Dr. Watson in Oregon Cabaret Theatre’s upcoming production of “Sherlock Holmes and the Final Problem,” opening Sept. 15. Schmoling was born in Portland, moved to Medford when he was 8, and attended Talent Middle School and Ashland High School. His mother is a professional music director and accompanist. His late father was a professor of international relations and did some volunteer performance work. “I grew up under my mom’s piano,” he said, “listening to her play for opera and musical theater professionals and voice students. I just fell in love with the material.” When his father died at a young age, music provided an outlet through which to explore and express his emotions in dealing with the loss. He participated in theater and choir programs at Ashland High School under the tutelage, respectively, of Betsy Bishop and Russ Otte, appearing in productions of “The Sound of Music,” “Anything Goes,” “The Music Man,” “The Skin of Your Teeth” and “The Crucible.” “We had the unique opportunity of OSF staff working with us,” he said. “That cemented a lifelong love of theater.” He went on to earn a B.A. in communications at Northwestern University and is a graduate of its select musical theater program. His first paid gigs were when he was still in high school, for ensemble roles in Rogue Opera’s productions of “The Mikado” and “HMS Pinafore.” “They went well, but I mostly tried to be a good observer and absorb as much as I could from more experienced players,” he said. He also did early work at the Camelot Theatre in Talent, formerly Actors Theatre. “I’m really grateful to all of them for providing opportunities for me as a young person.” Since those early days, he has continued to work locally for the Camelot, Rogue Opera, and Oregon Cabaret Theatre. He also has worked for several California theater companies, including Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) of Santa Maria and Solvang, Sierra Repertory Theatre in Sonora, Central Coast Shakespeare Festival in San Luis Obispo, and Westminster Community Playhouse in Westminster. The upcoming role of Dr. Watson at the Cabaret will be the third time he’s played the venerable character. “It has certainly come to be a favorite role,” he said. “Having the privilege of developing the character and his relationship with Holmes over the course of three different shows at the Cabaret is unusual in Live theater.” He admits to enjoying getting to mix it up a little on stage. “I love the adventurous nature of the role, and I always look forward to the stage fighting we get to do in each show,” he said. “Our fight director, U. Jonathan Toppo (a 30-year OSF veteran), is the best.” He finds Dr. Watson to be a fascinating character. “He chooses such an extraordinary friend in Sherlock Holmes, who makes his life difficult and dangerous in so many ways,” Schmoling said. “And yet, even when he is running for his life, or Holmes is being insufferable in the way only a true genius can be, Watson is most alive when he is on the case with Holmes.” He has a bucket list of roles he’d like to tackle. “I’m interested in playing one of the great Shakespeare villains like Cassius or Iago,” he said. “I think getting to explore how people justify their bad actions would be fascinating. I’d also love to play Robert in ‘Company’ or the Baker in ‘Into the Woods.’” Probably his most challenging role so far was in a Cabaret production of “Double Trouble.” “The show has two men play about a dozen characters between them, with distinct mannerisms and dialects. We also had many quick costume changes of 5 to 10 seconds,” he said. Other shows he’s done at the Cabaret include “Ali Baba,” “’S Wonderful,” “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Baskerville,” “Sign of the Four” and “Murder on the Links.” Is there anything he wishes he could tell his younger self? “Take more risks. You find your power as you let go of fear.” What did he learn early on that still serves him today? “Be kind to everyone. Theater is a collective labor of love and we’re all lucky to be a part of it.” What would people be surprised to know about him? “I love hot sauce and have been known to bring my own.” Schmoling and his wife, Madeline, moved to Portland just before the pandemic. “I’m excited to get more connected to the Portland theater community now that live theater is casting again in the area,” he said. Where does he see himself in 10 years? “I’d love to be performing and helping to educate and inspire others to pursue their passions,” he said. He’ll be able to do that on two fronts if he combines a career with the staffing services company along with his stage work. For more information about the Cabaret’s “Sherlock Holmes and the Final Problem” or to order tickets, go to oregoncabaret.com. Reach writer Jim Flint at [email protected].