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Name: Tom Morini
Stats: 21 / 5'6" / 135#
Status: Newly NOT single.
Find Him On: YouTube

Political and ready to take on the theater world by storm -- Tom Morini was nice enough to chat and answer some questions with us. Meet him and hear what he has to say about tomorrow's election after the jump!

I guess the first question is... what's your ethnic background?
Already a difficult question. I was born in Colombia, South America, and pretty sure my mother was Colombian, but not sure my father's ethnicity. I was adopted

Have you been living in the Northeast all your life?
Most of it. I spent some time living in the UK with a couple host families through a student exchange program, and spent a little time in LA. Got out of there fast.

Why?
Well...technically because the internship I was doing had ended. I loved LA for the scenic beauty and the weather. Already I'm sitting in an ice cold apartment contemplating my next trip.

But there's a lot, a LOT of bad influences there, and i didn't have time to get in with the "right crowd". Drugs are very heavy....bad drugs.

So, now, you're back in the Northeast. What is it about the NE that appeals to you?
Well...I love NYC and I love the down to earth completely genuine people that exist around here - that aren't striving for superficial qualities, irresponsible amounts of money, or endless vanity. But then...that's my crowd i guess

It sounds almost like you have a love affair with the area.
It's exactly where I should be. Many creative people and the beginnings of some fantastic and world changing ideas.

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Speaking of creative... recent college grad in theater, right?
Good segue.

What makes theater so special for you?
Well...it's malleable. It's a profession that is constantly being redefined and recreated. Right now, "popular" theatre is sad and disappointing and simply a collection of rehashed "safe" ideas.
I'm hoping to be able to reshape what I think theatre should be. I'm a highly ambitious person.

What do you think theatre should be?
Theatre comes from a very emotional and personal place. For an actor and an audience, the act of creating a new reality within the world we currently exist within is an incredibly rewarding experience. If it's done right. When you leave a theatre you should feel something, not just clap and then go out to dinner afterwards and forget about what just happened.

What are some of your favorite / not-so-favorite shows out there right now?
Well I've been a bit too broke to get to the city as often as I'd like and see the shows I want to see. But recently, I saw Spring Awakening and was extremely surprised. While I had some qualms with the quality of some of the songs, the show was very powerful. But still...it was a re-write of a previous idea. There are very few new ideas out there that are being properly produced.

Hypothetically, your dream role would be...
I've played my dream role lol. Caliban from The Tempest. It's a very grounded, physical and grotesque role. As an actor, it requires a person to be completely rooted in their body, and their most vile characteristics. It's hard to be physically disgusting in front of hundreds of people. It also was very physically demanding. I was on all fours the entire time and covered with dirt. It was sort of erotic though.

What's the one thing a guy can do to get Tom's attention?
Do something outrageous, intelligent, and artistically, musically or politically significant. And obviously there are all different levels to "significance". Ccome up with a NEW idea - criticize other people's ideas - or just do some sort of performance art in the middle of the street.

Clearly, you value intelligence in a significant other.
Absolutely. There are plenty of hot people in the world. Most of them are f'ing idiots. Don't get me wrong - I love being attractive, and I love other attractive men and women as long as they have something to say. Beauty is a certain type of power and must be used and respected as such

What gets Tom motivated in the morning?
Lately, my mornings have been spent waking up next to someone...which has been motivating in itself. But usually going to the gym and writing music tend to get my ass in gear. I don't drink coffee.

You take pride in your body?
Absolutely. It's the only thing you have to rely on. Your brain needs to be stimulated. and your body needs to sustain your ambitions. I can physically do a lot more than many other people because I've trained myself over the years to be limber and quick. When it comes down to it, you can't rely on anybody or anything except your own natural resources. Your body, your mind and your heart. They'll get you through the day.

What's Tom going to be doing in 5 years? 10? 15?
Well. I'm still working on a musical I had written call Tear Down This Wall as well as some new ideas. Hopefully those will be well on their way for something great. I've been very inspired by a lot of new music lately. So the next chapter of my life is figuring out how to put those ideas together and create something for "the people".

You're writing my segues for me.
I know.

What's on Tom's iPod? DVR?
I don't watch TV nor have any desire. I hate commercials. I'm a socialist and they make me hate everything about this God forsaken country. I do like Family Guy though. And occasionally The Office (even though this new season sort of sucks). I'm in the middle of listening to a bunch of new music given to me by one of the most inspirational people I've met. Adele, Camille, Cansei de Ser Sexy, Yael Naim, Adam Guettel, Feist, Yoko Kanno, Infected Mushroom are on the top of the list. I find that non-Americans tend to be the best musicians. Especially Israeli and French musicians.

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So tomorrow, you're voting for McCain / Palin.
Anyone who would vote for those two are the waste of America. They are why people become complacent with their Burger King, living room couch, uninvolved lives. Allow those people in power and then you can watch the apocalypse occur on your Tivo.

Tom can't resist....
Getting into trouble. "Trouble" is just a term that my boyfriend and I have been using a lot lately to describe our anti-capitalist, pro-art, subversive, progressive actions within our work, our sexuality and our beliefs.

Your thoughts when you were asked to be featured in this interview.
I was a little flattered. Obviously surprised.