This project would be the validation of his passion, the start and the growth of his work not only as actor, but as someone who wanted to make films. It was the stepping stone to his career, which would allow him to act, write, direct and produce. “The greatest things about working on “Book of Numbers” is, at that time, I was not only in the company of a Black director, but a Black crew and Black actors, so me being a kid, I thought that was the way it was supposed to be; that I would have this opportunity throughout the rest of my career,” he explained to us. Once Reginald returned back to California, he left home at sixteen and started beating the pavement to grind out a career for himself, only to get hit with the truth and reality that it wasn’t the way things really were, it was just a unique opportunity that he had been a part of. So from there, he continued to study acting at various workshops. Engaging in the workshops allowed Reginald to receive another type of discipline which
would enhance thenatural talent that he already possessed. Through his acting coach, a known taskmaster, Ivan Markota of “The Van Mar Academy,” Reginald would get prepared, along with other students, for the reality and challenges they would face within the industry. “I really appreciate the fact that he was hard on us and that he really wanted us to respect the work, to be good it required that. It made the process of me going out here and auditioning for roles much easier. Once I got parts, I knew how to apply what he had given me through the workshop, so I really wasn't fazed by the challenge. Unfortunately, I think a lot of young artist today think that all they have to do is show up and the doors will open up for them, but it takes the technical aspects as well as the creative aspects to bring it all together to pull off great performances and accept the challenge of great material,” mentioned Reginald.
From the 70s, 80s, to the 90s, it was all about finding quality projects or the
Reginald T. Dorsey Interview (continued...)