This is the Way: Stagecraft, Stunts and Fighting On Screen

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This is the Way: Stagecraft, Stunts and Fighting On Screen

Speed Art Museum, South 3rd Street, Louisville, KY, USA

Wed, Sep 25th 6:30PM - 8:00PM ESTPrice: $25 /person

Overview

Presents Republic Bank Foundation Speaker Series
With support from the Speed Art Museum and WKU Innovation Campus

Kentucky to the World is excited to present the Republic Bank Foundation Speaker Series, showcasing "This Is The Way: Stagecraft, Stunts, and Fighting on Screen," featuring Louisville native Tom O’Connell. Join us on Wednesday, September 25th, at the Speed Art Museum for an unforgettable experience. Enjoy live stunts, captivating demonstrations, and engaging conversations with Tom O’Connell. This event is proudly supported by the Speed Art Museum and the WKU Innovation Campus.

Tom O'Connell, a proud Louisville native, is a renowned stuntman and actor known for his stunt double roles as the Heavy Mandalorian and Darth Vader. His journey is anything but ordinary. A Trinity graduate and originally aiming to be an astronaut or NASA engineer with a computer engineering degree from the University of Alabama, Tom’s path took an unexpected turn, leading him from engineering to becoming a prominent figure in film and television.

You might recognize Tom from his thrilling stunts as the Heavy Mandalorian and Darth Vader, where his exceptional skills in on-screen fighting and precision stunts truly shine. With a background in stagecraft, Tom seamlessly transforms into a variety of characters, bringing authenticity and excitement to every performance. Standing tall at 6'4", he is a master sword and katana practitioner, captivating audiences with his precise and dynamic action sequences.

This dynamic show features live stunt demonstrations, interactive audience participation, and engaging on-stage discussions, delving into the fascinating world of stagecraft, stunts, and on-screen combat. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to experience the artistry and thrill of Hollywood stunts up close from an accomplished and skilled Kentuckian. We can’t wait to see you there!

KTW invites individual students, middle-school through university, to attend the public program free of charge. Reservations must be made in advance for student tickets. Please email tickets@kentuckytotheworld.org to reserve your student ticket.

What to Expect

Date: Wed, Sep 25th

Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm EST

Price: $25.00 /person

A presentation, demonstration, and program with Louisville native, Tom O’Connell, known for his stunt double roles as the Heavy Mandalorian and Darth Vader

The Guest: Tom O’Connell

Introducing Tom O’Connell, a stuntman and actor known for his stunt double roles, Heavy Mandalorian and Darth Vader. His story is one of the unexpected. Hailing from Louisville and a graduate of Trinity, Tom’s expertise extends to on-screen fighting and stunts, making him a sought-after talent in the industry. Initially aiming to become an astronaut or NASA engineer with his computer engineering degree from the University of Alabama, his unconventional path led him from engineering to becoming a figure in film and television.

You might recognize Tom from his roles as the Heavy Mandalorian and Darth Vader’s stunt double, where his knack for on-screen fighting and precision stunts shines through. His background in stagecraft gives him an edge, allowing him to seamlessly embody various characters. This 6’4 skilled sword and katana practitioner brings authenticity to his action sequences, captivating audiences with his precision and finesse. His expertise in horseback riding adds a rugged charm to his on-screen presence, allowing him to effortlessly embody a range of characters, from rugged cowboys to daring adventurers.

The Conversation Host: Stu Pollard

Filmmaker Stu Pollard has produced 10 films in his home state of Kentucky, including survival thriller RUST CREEK, powerful high school drama AND THEN I GO, and bowling comedy SPLIT. He has produced more movies outside the Bluegrass as well, including the uproarious Jack Quaid & Maya Erskine wedding rom-com PLUS ONE, Syrian refugee documentary THIS IS HOME, and docu-drama FREELAND, starring Krisha Fairchild. Stu has also directed two features: romantic comedy NICE GUYS SLEEP ALONE and suspense drama KEEP YOUR DISTANCE, both set against a vibrant Kentucky backdrop.

Pollard’s production company – Lunacy – has numerous projects in development as well. Among those are WE’RE HAUNTED, a horror comedy about dysfunctional roommates confronting an evil spirit; THE MAN WHO KNEW BELLE STARR, a riveting Western-infused revenge drama; THE TRESTLE, a supernatural thriller revolving around an infamous Kentucky legend; ALAS, BABYLON, a post-apocalyptic survival parable based on the classic novel; and WONDERDOG, a southern comedy based on the novel by Inman Majors.

Also an entrepreneur, Stu has spearheaded a number of other creative endeavors over the years, including the event planning app Reunacy, online educational platform LunacyU, nostalgic web series The 80’s Emporium, and philanthropic non-profit organization Trunacy. In the Spring of 2024, Stu partnered with comedian Jim Gaffigan to create and launch Fathertime Bourbon.

Stu holds holds a BS in business from Georgetown and an MFA in film from USC, is a member of the DGA and PGA, and serves on the boards of the Louisville Film Society, the Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund and GU’s Alumni Board of Regents. He splits his time between LA and Louisville and can frequently be found traveling with his financé Amy and their doxiepoo Nash.