Since the beginning of time the human race has nurtured, evolved, and learned from stories. It is part of our DNA, and as natural to us as breathing and eating. Dramatic story can't exist without character. To create a dramatic story, one must have a character that those of us watching, listening to, or reading about can relate to. It is the character's journey that pulls us in and allows us to participate. It is the character's struggle that pulls at our hearts and minds. Without someone to root for, or against, the audience will quickly lose interest. It is the writer’s job to create characters that take us on a journey we won't forget.
Rick Watkins is an accomplished actor, writing (screen and theater), director, and producer. Rick has worked in the entertainment business for more than 30 years. As a graduate of St. Edwards University’s acclaimed Actors’ Equity Association U/RTA program, he worked with and learned from numerous professional actors, including the late Godfrey Cambridge, Mercedes Cambridge, and Adam Wade. After appearing in numerous regional theater productions, Rick returned to Chicago where he honed his writing skills under the tutelage of Dan Decker (Anatomy of a Screenplay), and the late Jerry Cleaver of Chicago’s renowned Writers Loft. Rick served several years on the board of the Chicago Screenwriter’s Network, and only recently opened Rick Watkins Productions. His company is dedicated to providing theater, film, and television programming that is informative and enlightening. He truly believes that the arts are a powerful conduit that one can use to provide social commentary on society’s misguided ethnic, gender, and sexuality stereotypes. Those stereotypes continue to separate us. The truth is that we are all more alike than we know. Rick's play "Knocking Up the Mob" just completed a four-week run at the Greenhouse Theater center, closing November 8th of this year.
