Union grad in NYC acting school

Brock Ward, 21, of Dugger, is one of 190 students selected from a pool of 4,000 to attend the School for Film and Television (SFT) in Manhattan.

The 2004 graduate of Union High School began classes at SFT on Aug. 28. He's in "conservatory," a two-year program that teaches actors to perform in front of a camera. It trains them for both TV and theater, as well as instilling a code of professional discipline and responsibility.

"It's based around the Meisner method," Ward said. "He's had more academy award winners (students) than any other instructor."

Currently, Ward said he's taking a lot of classes on movement and breathing techniques, and intro to camera.

"All the teachers are very well-rounded," he said.

He said most of his teachers have done Broadway and TV shows, especially "Law and Order."

"The most famous alumni is probably Matthew Fox," Ward said. "He plays the doctor on 'Lost.'"

Fox also was in the TV series "Party of Five" and has several other acting credits to his name.

Slorina Petcu, an actress from "As The World Turns," is another alum that Ward said people might recognize. He said she also recently starred in a Spike Lee film.

Though he's just started his acting classes, Ward is already looking for auditions. So far, he's been on the Joey Reynolds radio show in New York.

"When you're in class, you can still audition," he said. "They push you to find commercials and things."

His cousin, Ashley Russell, owns Amax Talent, based in Nashville, and is his manager. Peter Donald, who manages Philpot, Ward's brother Kentz Ward's band, also manages Brock Ward.

"I'm staying on the upper west side in an apartment," Ward continued.

He explained that the school has dorms, and he might live in one of those at some point just "to see what that life's all about."

He said most of his new friends are in New York to become actors.

"In New York, I've noticed that most people aren't from New York," he said. "Most of my friends here are in acting, either at SFT or Juilliard or something. Most people I've met are, anyway."

The aspiring actor said in high school he played sports, because there was not a lot of drama offered. However, he said, when he was younger, he did some acting at Shawnee Theater.

"But in high school, no, I was pretty concentrated on football and baseball for most part," he said.

"I knew I wanted to try to go to acting school, and I came across the school, actually on the Internet, found out about it, called them up, told them about myself, and we set up an audition. I had to apply, as well."

He said the transition from Dugger, Ind., to New York City hasn't really been difficult, even though it's a very different lifestyle. He said the city is busy all the time, really packed, and very expensive.

"I like the fast pace," said the son of Byron and Kim Ward of Dugger. "I love it at home, but I can always come back."