University students may soon see a familiar face on the big screen.
Richard Holben, a University dramatic arts professor, will be featured in “Seconds Apart,” a supernatural thriller. The release date for the movie has not been set.
The film is mid-budget, and it will feature the directing skills of up-and-coming Latino director Antonio Negeret. Orlando Jones, best known for being an original MadTV cast member, will star in the film.
The film is about twin teenage boys with the ability to control minds. IT depicts the mayhem their abilities cause as they force others to live an alternate reality.
Holben was a guest star in shows such as “The Practice,” “LA Law” and “JAG.” He recently had a recurring role in “24.”
Holben said his work in these shows has earned him lots of attention.
“A few times a month I’ll get stopped in Albertsons by someone asking, ‘Hey, didn’t I see you on ‘24′?'” Holben said.
Despite his success as an actor and professor, Holben said he wasn’t always sure of his life’s path. He began as a pre-med student at Xavier University in Cincinnati.
“I had a crazy roommate that talked me into auditioning for my first show — the director was the local acting guru, and he saw something in me,” Holben said. “From then on, I knew that acting would be my life.”
Holben has only spent about 25 of those years teaching.
“I didn’t start grad school until I was 51,” Holben said. “I had to work seven days a week for several years and all my peers were 10-plus years younger than me. ”
With budget cuts on everyone’s mind, Holben said he is worried about the state of the theatre department.
“We’ve lost some important members of our support staff, like our shop foreman,” Holben said. “And, of course, the dance staff has all received letters — how you can have a land grant university without a dance program is beyond me.”
Louisiana is the third largest national fliming area behind Los Angeles and New York, Holben said.
Contact Mandy Francois at [email protected]