If you’ve never heard of Rock WILK – the Poet; the Playwright; the Actor; the Instrumentalist: the Man with a warming spirit that can touch you via any medium; or the voice of reason for the socially and politically incorrect – it’s time you sat back and gained a bit of knowledge into who is going to be bringing you the HOTTEST off-Broadway (for now) play you’ve ever seen.

Rock WILK is the creator and one-man sensation behind the critically acclaimed play “Broke Wide Open.” A play that has set the stage for expression through art. A traveling Unplugged play that has received rave reviews by many sources. “Broke Wide Open” is a play that cinematic-ally describes the journey of a young man seeking what most of us take for granted – belonging. It expresses a young man’s longing desire to find his biological mother; his true identity and the belonging to something more than just a name. This is a play that will take you on an emotional roller coaster and leave you at the edge of your seat; ready to take the ride again and again. Each time feeling more satisfied than the last.

Lets get to know the man behind all of the talent. Join me while I get inside the mind of the masterful Rock WILK and share with you a few secrets behind what makes him do that thing he does so well. ~ Nicole S. Ross

SWNY – Rock, what exactly do you do and how did you get started?

Rock – I’m an actor, a playwright, singer and musician.  Actually, singers are musicians, but most people don’t look at it that way, so I say both.  I play guitar, piano and drums, as well.

SWNY – When did you know you wanted to become an artist?

Rock - I’ve been an artist since the day I was born.  The first time I performed in public was singing for my first grade class, playing The Beatles and Bob Dylan on a guitar my Grandmother had bought for me.

SWNY – What/Who inspired you to become an artist…your influences?

Rock – My biggest influence was Michael Jackson, but there are SO many influences, Hmmmmmmmm…Theater and film people who do interesting work like Elaine Stritch, Spike Lee, Lily Tomlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Anna Deavere Smith, John Leguizamo, almost every documentary HBO does, Music people… wow, there are so many……..I’m a jazz head, so John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery, Bobby McFerrin, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, James Brown, Aretha, Chaka, Justin Timberlake, Eminem, Jay Z, George Benson, Tony Bennett, I could go on and on because, to be honest, I could walk into a place like The Cherry Lane Theater or The Public Theatre or Theaterlab, or even the platform walking to the 2 Train at Times Square and see a performance that inspires me so much that it makes my head explode, so my influences are never ending, thankfully.  But the one who made me want to be an artist was definitely Michael Jackson.  The other major influence in my creative life is Jack Rollins.  He is a legend in the entertainment business – managed artists like Woody Allen, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams and David Letterman. He’s 95 now, and I have been so fortunate to be able to call him my friend.  He says things and I devour them, digest them and use them like good nutrition.

SWNY – When you perform, to whom do you favor the most…do you have a target audience?

Rock – Nope.  Each time I perform, no matter where it is, I say to myself just before I get on stage, “Let’s have a beautiful shared experience with these people.”  I don’t care who they are, what they look like, what language they speak, I want to feel something with them.  It’s an exchange of energy, a collaborative experience for me, so I have no targets.  Just whoever is nice enough to come see me perform.  I want them to feel me and I want to feel them.

SWNY – You are a writer, poet, actor, playwright, musician and spoken word artist. What have you accomplished since you began your career?

Rock – I’ve been fortunate to have accomplished quite a bit in a few different areas.  My play, BROKE WIDE OPEN was presented in “The Undergroundzero Festival” as part of “The Playgroundzero Festival” this past summer at PS 122.  Then it was fully mounted as a workshop at The Medicine Show Theatre in Manhattan a few months after that.  I have music playing on shows like The Real World and Making The Band, among other shows on MTV and VH1.  I have a commercially released album out called BROKE WIDE OPEN [yes, the music is in my play],  I’ve worked as a producer, instrumentalist and background vocalist in the music business, most recently with Patti LaBelle, and as a poet, I’ve been a Nuyorican semifinalist, performed for Amnesty International – I’m gonna stop now. 

SWNY – You have a highly-acclaimed musical/poetry show that you have been doing for the past 4 years called “Broke Wide Open.” Tell us about that?

Rock – BROKE WIDE OPEN, first of all is a play.  It is the true story of my search for my biological mother, my identity, my “home”.  That’s basically it.  It’s this frantic search for my beginnings.  I weave monologues into poems into songs and back into monologues, it’s a very high energy show, very intense, and a lot of fun.  Here is a blurb that was used to describe the show recently…..
BROKE WIDE OPEN is a musical and poetic avalanche of words dramatically cascading into the compelling journey of one man’s search for his biological mother, his identity, his home. Best described as a verbal opera, “Rock WILK is a one person symphony, conducting a dynamic movement of language weaved into a beautiful theatrical experience.”
That’s a pretty good description. 

SWNY – What have you learned throughout your life about this business?

Rock – I’m not sure how to answer that, I approach my art as art.  The business takes care of itself.  One thing I DO know, though, is that you need to create opportunities for yourself.  Don’t wait for anything to “happen” to, or for you.  Just do what you want to do and do it well. And make it happen.

SWNY – Throughout your career as an artist, what have you taken away from it that you’d like others to experience as well?

Rock – I’ve experienced the joys and love of doing it; of working hard; of committing.  I wish for all to wake up every day and give all of yourself to your art; TRULY share yourself with an audience. Nothing feels better than that.

SWNY – With all of your talents, if you could only practice and share one with the world, which would it be and why?

Rock – I’d have to say, telling stories. That is when I feel most connected to the audience.  It feels like a genuine exchange for me.

SWNY – What advice would you give to your followers/fans that may help them throughout their own personal aspirations?

Rock - Work hard, be honest.  Be brave.  Be generous with your work.  Reveal yourself.

SWNY – What projects are you working on…what are your future plans?

Rock – The only thing I’m working on at the moment is BROKE WIDE OPEN and I am committed to taking it to the highest level that I can.  I’m all about the journey, so I am WIDE OPEN to the possibilities. But you KNOW I will be doing everything in my power to make it the most amazing piece of work that I can and make sure that as many people see it as possible.  The Public Theatre, The Mark Taper Forum, Berkeley Rep and Broadway – can you hear me?????

SWNY – How can your followers/fans see more of your work and keep track of your performing schedule?

Rock – People can go to: www.brokewideopen.com. Check the entire site, it’s updated constantly. There is a blog there; videos all over the place AND, of course, Facebook me at Rock WILK or BROKE WIDE OPEN.

***To learn more about Rock WILK and of his play “Broke Wide Open,” visit: http://www.rockwilk.com/home.html

***For bookings and interviews, contact Rock at: rock[at]wilkmusic.com

***Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Rock-Wilk/702532334

***Twitter: twitter.com/rockwilk

Tags | Broke Wide Open, Rock Wilk