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2022
June 2022 – As part of Gay Pride Month celebrations, I’m delighted to announce that the Athens, NY Cultural Center will be screening the 2016 gender-bender-anti-bullying film THIRSTY (in which I had a supporting role). For more info on the film, please scroll down to the 2016 entry on this page.

April 2022 – In addition to my 2021 BroadwayWorld.com (regional) nominations, I’m overjoyed to announce my nomination for Outstanding Performer in a musical by the NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA THEATRICAL ALLIANCE (NEPTA) for my role as King Charlemagne in the musical PIPPIN at the historical Shawnee Playhouse (to view rehearsal footage please scroll down to the 2021 entry).

2021

Dec. 2021 – Broadway World Nominations - With sincere gratitude, I announce that I’ve received two nominations from BroadwayWorld.com (Regional/Philadelphia): one for outstanding leading actor in a musical for my portrayal of King Arthur in CAMELOT; and another for supporting actor in a musical for my portrayal of King Charlemagne in PIPPIN.
For rehearsal footage on both roles, see the YouTube links below:
As King Arthur in CAMELOT (Rehearsal Footage): https://youtu.be/Zr4E4UC5b18
As King Charlemagne in PIPPIN (Rehearsal Footage): https://youtu.be/RFmXUVXnoFI
July - August 2021 - I returned to the historical Shawnee Playhouse (PA) to play King Arthur in Lerner & Lowe's beautiful musical CAMELOT. A dream role for me. See above for my YouTube link to rehearsal footage of the show.
CAMELOT Photos by Kenneth Card: kennethcardphotography.com


As King Arthur with Colette Boudreaux as Guenevere

With Colette Boudreaux as Guenevere and Ryan Fogler as Lancelot


May - June 2021 - After a 16 month Covid-hiatus, some regional theaters finally reopened including the historical Shawnee Playhouse (PA) where I played King Charlemagne in the Stephen Schwartz musical PIPPIN. Here is a YouTube link to rehearsal footage: https://youtu.be/RFmXUVXnoFI

As King Charlemagne in PIPPIN – Photo by: kennethcardphotography.com

January 2021 - Cheers! Here’s to a new beginning. Hope you and your loved ones have remained healthy during this horrific covid-pandemic. Stay safe and be well.
2020
October 2020 / Virtual Benefit.
- I was delighted to work with writer, producer Seth Freeman on his 2 person, 10 min., dark comedy PRESS PRAY, directed by Midge McClosky and co-starring Gillian Turner. This virtual benefit production was part of Shawnee Playhouse’s playwrighting contest S.O.P.S. Here’s the YouTube link to the performance which initially aired live on Facebook:
PRESS PRAY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUcR-_XrdQQ
Seth Freeman info: https://www.pacificcouncil.org/about/network/profile/seth-freeman
June 2020
- Like so many other events and gatherings, my 40th High School reunion was postponed until 2021. The event organizers requested I send a message and song to my classmates; hope you enjoy it:
Reunion Song: THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM: https://youtu.be/N91tuyDO60Q
January 2020 - Here is a photo of me and my pals on location in New Jersey filming Tom Bentey’s exciting new Web Series AMERICAN BENEFACTOR. We shot this before the pandemic hit (awaiting release):
2019
Nov.-Dec. 2019
- For those of you who missed my performance as Kris Kringle in Mark Sarto’s children’s musical adaptation of MIRACLE ON 34
th STREET, directed by Ryan M. Cook, set out below are my performance REELS. The show was taped from the very back balcony of the historical Shawnee Playhouse (PA) so the images are blurry, but the sound is surprisingly good even though the actors are not wearing body mics. I had great fun playing Santa and, yes, I was padded…I swear!
3 min. REEL as Kringle/Santa: https://youtu.be/GAaCeRulF3A
6 min. REEL as Kringle/Santa: https://youtu.be/gYOD7TlQ49Q
Feb.
2019 – A
film I worked on called “SHEPHERD” will be screened at
the Irish Film Fest, Middletown Arts Center, NJ on Sat.
Feb. 9, 2019 @ 6:45 pm: https://www.middletownarts.org/events/details/irish-film-festival-622.
For film description, photos and trailer, scroll down to
2016.
Here is my latest voice over combo reel, I hope to do more
of this kind of work:
https://youtu.be/y-Qd6ZOdPrc
2018
October 2018 - “THIRSTY”
Film Screening at:
Theatre at NYFA, 17 Battery Place, 1st
Floor, NYC 10004
Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 7 p.m.
October is National
Bullying Prevention Month. To recognize, NYFA
will be screening "Thirsty," followed by a Q&A with
producer Lisa Thomas, actors Jonny Beauchamp and Michael
DiGioia, Choreographer Alexandra Amirov, and editor/NYFA
alum Fabrizio Famá. Bullied gender non-conforming Scott
Townsend grows into revered drag queen Thirsty Burlington
fighting obstacles along the way only to discover what he
really wants is self-acceptance. "Thirsty" has been
described as a "post-queer musical biopic." Learn more
about the film on our blog.
Please RSVP
here by noon, October 10th, by filling out
the form. All guests must provide a FIRST and LAST name
and will need to provide a valid photo ID. 
Sept. 2018 -
“THIRSTY” Screening to Benefit:
Tickets for Fundraiser
Here: WWW.WISEBODIES.ORG/#
SAT.
SEPT. 29, 2018 @ 1:00 PM At the Historic CRANDELL THEATRE
48 Main Street, Chatham, NY 12037
Phone: 518-392-3331 WWW.CRANDELLTHEATRE.ORG/ Q&A
after screening / for info on “THIRSTY” scroll down
Good News! The indy-film
“THIRSTY” has been released on Amazon.com and we made it
into the “top 20 LGBT titles” in the first week:
http://www.bgpics.com/2017/thirsty/ https://www.amazon.com/Thirsty-Scott-Townsend/dp/B0788XQ6VV
I am happy to report the next screenings of “THIRSTY”
will be at the following venues:
Arts United, Frt. Lauderdale, FL (June 2018):
http://www.artsunitedflorida.com/thirsty-the-movie/
Burning Books, Buffalo, NY (May 2018): https://www.facebook.com/events/563198660721147/





2017
I am proud to announce that the Indy-feature
film “THIRSTY” is still making the rounds at film fests in
the U.S. and abroad and continues to pick up awards (our
lovely director Margo Pelletier sadly passed away on Nov.
27, 2016). Here is an on-set photo as well as some links
to the 2017 festivals (see the 2016 entry below for a full
description of the film plus more photos as well as links
to the 2016 festivals & awards).

From left to right: Margo Pelletier
(Director), Alexandra Sandra Amirov (Choreographer), Scott
Townsend (a/k/a THIRSTY Burlington), Cole Canzano (young
Scotty) and me with dyed hair as Scott’s Uncle Gene - a
70’s lounge singer.
Nov. 2017 - “Thirsty”
Screening at the Portland Film Fest

October 2017 – “Thirsty”
Screening at Queer Film Fest Bremen, Germany

Sept. 2017 – Asbury Park’s Art House, The
Showroom’s screening of “THIRSTY”:
:
http://theshowroomap.com/programs-and-events/thirsty-movie-premiere-director-live-qa/
July 2017 - “THIRSTY” to be screened at the
Closing Night Ceremony of QFest (Houston, TX)

http://www.q-fest.com/


Congratulatios to the “THIRSTY” film team for picking up
the award for BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE at the 2017 Workers
Unite Film Festival (WUFF) NYC:
http://www.workersunitefilmfestival.org/wuff-blog/


https://www.facebook.com/ThirstyMovie/

h:ttp://nywift.org/article.aspx?id=6373

Wicked Queer Boston LGBT Fest – “THIRSTY” Received the
Audience Award! http://www.wickedqueer.org/events/thirsty

Transgender Film Festival Kiel, Germany: Jonny Beauchamp
nabbed the Best Trans-Performance award; Songwriter Nicky
Egans received Best Song for “All That I Am” and our
poster design received “Best Poster”. https://www.studio-filmtheater.de/programmvorschau/
2016
This has been an extraordinary year for me
in relation to film festivals. I'm proud to announce that
two films I participated in, "SHEPHERD" and "THIRSTY",
have been official selections at various U.S. and U.K.
festivals:
September - "SHEPHERD" had its East Coast
premier screening at the Golden Door International Film
Fest of NJ. This dramatic short was produced by Trinity
Productions, written & dir. by Keith Lynch and DP
David Kaptein. I play Shepherd, an ex-convict who concocts
a dangerous scheme to mend a broken relationship with his
daughter by enlisting the help of a wayward vagrant played
by Nick Calhoun of “Boardwalk Empire”.


Festival link: http://goldendoorfilmfestival.org/
Below are photos of me and Courtney Renee
Stallings
who plays my daughter Mara Dean in "SHEPHERD".
Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9rvVOvvBzo

(June-Oct.): A feature-length, independent film I worked
on called "THIRSTY" (dir. by Margo Pelletier & written
by Laura Kelber) made its rounds in the U.S. and the U.K.
and picked up an “AUDIENCE AWARD” in NY!:
LONDON! 24th Raindance Film Fest: http://calendar.raindancefestival.org/films/thirsty

NEW YORK! Woodstock Film Fest: http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/festival2016/details.php?id=35192


NEW YORK! Harlem Int'l Film Fest -
"THIRSTY" took home the AUDIENCE AWARD (out of 99 films
from 37 countries):

Awards Page: http://harlemfilmfestival.org/2016-awards/
Festival: http://harlemfilmfestival.org/2016-line-up/
MASSACHUSETTS!
Provincetown Film Festival: http://www.ptownfilmfest.org/films/schedule.php

“THIRSTY” is based on the life of Scott
Townsend who survived unspeakable bullying during his
childhood/school years, as well as an estranged father and
alcoholic mother (played by Deirdre Lovejoy of “The Wire”
& “Girls”). Scott went on to become the revered drag
performer “Thirsty Burlington” (specializing in Cher
impersonations). I am very proud to be part of this film
and its message which emphasizes survival and
self-acceptance. I play Scott’s uncle Gene, a womanizing,
lounge-singer who, in the 1970’s, encouraged young Scotty
to become an entertainer. See photos below (I am
unrecognizable due to the hair-dye & weight loss for
the role). Also, here are some links to the trailer:
https://www.facebook.com/ThirstyMovie/
or, if you prefer, here's a direct Vimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/144810135


May – I had a blast creating five different characters
for a reading of a new, funny and very touching screenplay
entitled “I DID NOT DIE” written by the talented Ms. Kim
Dooley Kittay (well-known for her TV commercial & VO
work) which featured some fierce actors such as Jessica
Phillips (of “LAW & ORDER” & B-way’s “PRISCILLA”)
as well as Paul Urcioli, Leo Kittay and Phoebe Jonas (all
of whom have appeared in TV, Cable & film productions)
– I was in great company!
Sat. March 19 – Below is a shot of me singing at The
Public Theater / Joe’s Pub (NYC) in honor of Roy
Niederhoffer’s 50th birthday celebration. Roy is a hedge
fund manager, philanthropist, a great supporter of the
arts and, by the way, can play about 14 different
instruments! He is the founder and President of R.G.
Niederhoffer Capital Management, Inc.


Sun. March 13 – I was heard on the WBAI Radio’s
“EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN” singing an acapella birthday
message to the legendary Liza Minnelli in honor of her
70th birthday celebration, hosted by the incomparable
David Kenney. If you are not a Minnelli fan then you
probably won’t understand my song selection where I
combined “My Best Girl” from the musical “MAME” along with
the ending of Liza’s standard song “My Mammy” (with some
alternate lyrics to suit the occasion). Here is the 90
second song clip with Mr. Kenney’s intro and
post-comments:
Feb. - Worked on my second Lombardi & Lombardi Law
commercial (see 2015 below) but this time only my voice
was heard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5lKJJPgCm8
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR
PREVIOUS YEARS – THANKS!
2015
Dec. - Here are some on-set photos from an Indy-Short
“ANOTHER KIND OF HAPPINESS” (written & dir. by Matthew
Bunker) where I co-starred with the fabulous Kathryn Kates
(of “Orange is the New Black”, “Small Miracles” and
“Seinfeld”) which should be completed sometime in 2016.

Nov. - A feature-length, indy-film I worked on called
"THIRSTY" had its Trailer/Teaser release (see 2016 above
for links and Festival updates).
Oct. 27, 2015 – SAG Foundation NY Short Film Showcase
selected “A NEW MAN” - a film I worked on in 2013 which
won a 2nd place award for our director Hughes William
Thompson at CANNES LION in 2014. The film was Co-Funded by
the Kevin Spacey Foundation. Visit the FILM page on this
website to view a clip.
(Aug
/Sept) An independent film shot last October
called “SHEPHERD” (formerly “SHEPHERDS DRIFT” –
see 2014 below) is currently making rounds at film
fests. I play Shepherd, an ex-convict who concocts
a dangerous scheme to mend a broken relationship
with his daughter by enlisting the help of a
wayward vagrant played by Nick Calhoun of
“Boardwalk Empire”.
Here is a link to the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9rvVOvvBzo |
We shot the following commercial for LOMBARDI
& LOMBARDI LAW (Suburbanite Prod.) on the
front steps of the historical Somerville, NJ Court
House: https://youtu.be/bzcBsOwEs6k  I was back working with the
Stageplays Theatre Co., NYC reviving my role of
Jonathan in our third reading of “FLORINDA’S
TIME,” a new play by Allen Davis, III (see Feb.
2015 below for full details).  Very excited to announce that “THE CAFÉ” (an
indie-film we shot last fall) will be premiering
this May at the Cannes Film Festival Short Film
Corner (Cannes Court Métrage). This
devilishly-delicious short was written &
directed by Elizabeth Phillipson-Weiner aka “PW”,
and produced by Janella Lacson. “THE CAFÉ” takes
place in a modern-day purgatory and I play the
manager of “the café” who decide the fate of the
visiting guests. |
(March) Landed some print work in the March
2nd issue of the Wall St. Journal’s Personal
Finance section (cove page R1). See below...  (Feb.) At Stageplays Theatre Co., NYC I
participated in the second play-reading of
“FLORINDA’S TIME”, a wonderful piece written by
Allen Davis, III which was recently reworked in
light of our first reading last September (with a
possible full-production to follow) directed by
Tom Ferriter. I play Jonathan, a man stuck in a
love-less marriage who falls in love with his
daughter’s dance-instructor Florinda, a proud
woman battling the rapidly changing social-dance
scene of the 1940s.  |
2014
 (Nov.) Wrapped on “SHEPHERD’S DRIFT”; an
exciting, indy-short, written & directed by
Keith Lynch and starring Nicholas Calhoun (seen on
HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”). I play Shepherd - a
drifter, con-man, desperately trying to rekindle
his relationship with his estranged daughter in a
not so genuine manner. Our Director of Photography
David Kaptein has given this piece a rather
captivating look – can’t wait to see the finished
product! |
 (Oct-Nov.) Wrapped on “THE CAFÉ” a
devilishly-delicious short, written & directed
by Elizabeth Phillipson-Weiner aka “PW”, which
takes place in a modern-day purgatory (the café).
I play the café manager who decide the fate of the
visiting guests. Boo! |
 On Nov. 6, an avant-garde, installation-art
film I starred in, “THE BIG LAKE” (written &
directed by Matthew Rosenbaum) was a finalist at
the New Visions & Voices NYU Film Festival.
This disturbing film illustrates, among other
things, the deadening monotony of our “everyday”
tasks which can leave one ill-at-ease, while
exploring the horrors of reliving the same events
– perhaps reoccurring episodes from another
lifetime. Here is a link to this 8 minute, macomb
film, the password is yellow: https://vimeo.com/111749395 (Sept.) I participated in a reading of
“FLORINDA’S TIME” a wonderful new play by Allen
Davis, III at Stageplays Theatre Co., dir. by Tom
Ferriter. I played Jonathan, a man stuck in a
love-less marriage who falls in love with his
daughter’s dance-instructor Florinda, a proud
woman battling the rapidly changing social-dance
scene of the 1940s - and declining pupils. (June) Wonderful news! The film “A NEW MAN”
directed by Hughes William Thompson &
Co-Funded by the Kevin Spacey Foundation was an
official selection at Cannes Lions Fest in France,
as well as the Academy-qualifying Palm Springs
ShortFest in CA and the NY Shorts Fest. Our
director received a 2nd Place Cannes Lions Young
Director Award (YDA). View the entire 9 minute
film at:
https://vimeo.com/72598776 or, you can view
just my scene on this website.  |
2013
Wrapped
on a feature-length independent film called "THIRSTY"; a
bio-pic based on the life of Scott Townsend, a.k.a.
Thirsty Burlington directed by Margo Pelletier (Thin Edge
Films Productions/2015 release). I portray Scott's Uncle
Gene, a womanizing, entertainer/singer who, during the
70's encouraged young Scotty to perform.
Also wrapped on "THE BIG LAKE" an avant-garde
thriller, short-film, directed by NYU Tisch's Matthew
Jacob Rosenbaum (2014 release).
September marked the release of "A NEW MAN" (a dark
comedy) directed by Hughes William Thompson of Panoptica
Films and supported by The Kevin Spacey Foundation (KSF),
(see FILM CLIPS page).
In August I played Philip in a reading of a new,
exciting play "MEMORIAL" by Irving Benig and directed by
Tom Ferriter for STAGEPLAYS THEATRE COMPANY.
In July, an Indy-film I participated in, "PARTISAN",
directed by Jake Holm (Holmmade Films/Utopia Films)
received five awards at the LOS ANGELES CINEMA FESTIVAL OF
HOLLYWOOD: Best Short Narrative, Best Director, Best
Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Lead
Actress.
In November PARTISAN had it's NYC premier at the
BROWNFISH FILM FESTIVAL. I play an unsavory Polish farmer
turned Nazi sympathizer in Nazi-occupied Poland 1941-43
(See FILM CLIPS page).

2012
In
December I participated in a play adaptation of Edith
Wharton’s little known novella the “BUNNER SISTERS”
adapted and directed by Linda Selman, presented by the
National Arts Club’s Theatre Arts Roundtable, NYC. In this
unique piece I portray all four of the male roles. This is
a remount of Ms. Selman’s 2006 production in which I also
participated.
In November I appeared at the Lucy Lockett Cabe
Theatre, Wildwood Park For The Arts, Little Rock, Arkansas
as "Reginald" in Richard G. Pellegrino's new play
"MARGINALIA" directed by Roger Hendricks Simon. Last May I
was seen on WINDY CITY LIVE's Mother's Day Special (ABC 7
Chicago) singing "Mama A Rainbow" (visit the FILM CLIPS
page to view clip).
In March I completed an independent film entitled
"PARTISAN" directed by Jake Holm of Utopia Films, where I
play Felek Trulsky, an unsavory Polish farmer/Nazi
conspirator in war torn Poland 1941-43 (release date TBA).

2011
I was privileged to work with Broadway veteran
playwright Murray Schisgal on two staged readings of his
new play "WALL STREET FANDANGO" directed by Stephan Morrow
which was seen both at The Actor's Studio and the Theater
For The New City, NYC . Later in the year I took time off
to travel and visit family.
2010
Marks
the completion of three eclectic indy films and roles
(release dates 2012-2014): (1) "JIHAD" dir. by Solon
Quinn, of Solon Quinn Studios / 7053 Prods., I play a
psychotic police officer; (2) "FINDING HOME" dir. by
Savanna Washington, AardvarkAlley Prods., I portray a man
battling premature alzheimers; and (3) "JOSIE & JOHN"
dir. by Joe Skinner, a NYU Tisch Film Grad, I play John,
who is going through a mid-life crises.
In April I sang at a benefit concert for
Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries/Metro Baptist Church
entitled "FROM BROADWAY WITH LOVE" to raise funds for
underprivileged children's after-school programs and other
community services, dir. by Kathleen Conry & musical
direction by Brett Kristofferson and sang at several NYC
open mic. cabarets/clubs such as Birdland's Cast Party
hosted by Jim Caruso, Dopo Teatro Cabaret hosted by Ken
Lundie and Dale Badway, and La Mediterranée French Bistro
with William Zeffiro at the piano in preparation for
"BROADWAY JUBILEE" (a tribute to the Golden Age of
Broadway) where I teamed up with singer Martina Vidmar and
musical dir. Woody Regan performing at Long Beach Island
Foundation of the Arts & Sciences, NJ and Temple
Israel in So. Merrick, NY. More performances to follow. I
was also fortunate to record a few songs for a demo CD of
a new musical entitled “WHAT A TIME FOR LOVE”, composed by
an exciting, young, award-winning songwriter, Samuel
Kalcheim.

2009
In March I was seen in "Slip Away" at the Kent Film
Festival, CT, dir. by Michael McCormick. In April/May I
participated in a workshop of "The Artifacts", a play by
Steven Fechter. On Aug. 9 a selection from my CD was heard
on David Kenney's WBAI radio show "Everything Old is New
Again". Also in August I was seen in "The August 9th
Project/The Atom Bomb" a piece dir. & compiled by
Elizabeth Mozer, based on testimonies of
Hiroshima/Nagasaki survivors (a benefit for NJ Peace
Action). Currently I have a local commercial running in
Syracuse, NY for CBA (see FILM CLIPS page), and in the
Fall I commenced work on a feature-length film entitled
"FINDING HOME" dir. by Savanna Washington, AardvarkAlley
Prods. (2010 release).
2008
The
Canadian play "Elizabeth Rex" by Timothy Findley marked
it's NYC premiere at the Nicu's Spoon Theater in April and
in light of favorable reviews moved to Off-Broadway's
Center Stage Theater in the Fall. 
For my portrayal of Ned Lowenscroft in "Elizabeth Rex" I
received an outstanding actor nomination by the NY
Innovative Theatre Awards (see REVIEWS page). 2008 also
marked the release of 3 indy short films I participated in
"Out of Service", "Mother's Milk" and "Me & You" which
made the rounds at film fests throughout the U.S. &
abroad (see FILM CLIPS page).

2007
I traveled to Utah’s Sundance Film Fest where I was
seen in the short “The Dawn Chorus”, and debuted two new
plays in NYC: Linda Selman’s “The Bunner Sisters” (based
on E.Wharton’s novella) and Deirdre MacNamara’s
“Accent-Chu-Ate the Positive”. My debut CD “Another Look”
was released in Sept., and selections were heard on WMNR
Fine Arts Radio CT/NY. CD info at:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/mdigioia (see CD Audio Page).
A heartfelt THANK YOU to those who have shown their
support, I am truly grateful & blessed!
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