Q&A With Thomas Riley ’21: Pursuing an Acting Career in St. Louis
Riley, who majored in theatre, has made an impact in the mid-tier market, including originating a role in the play the movie “Selma” was adapted from.By: Kabir Burman ’27 Thursday, May 30, 2024 03:28 PM
Thomas Riley ’21 on the set of the short film “Count to Three”Ask a student interested in pursuing a career in acting about where they see themselves in the future and many of them will likely reply New York City or Los Angeles. Instead, Thomas Riley ’21 decided to explore the richness of opportunities between the two coasts. Having grown up in the Lehigh Valley, Thomas stayed close to home for college. On campus, his passion for storytelling and performance flourished. From theatre productions to choirs to sketch comedy groups, Riley took every opportunity to immerse himself in the world of entertainment.
After graduating in January 2022, he moved to St. Louis with his partner, where he discovered a vibrant theatre scene for young actors like himself. In the next two years, he’d act in five stage productions, including the world premiere of Hold On! at The Black Repertory Theater, the play from which the critically acclaimed film Selma was adapted. It was Riley’s first time originating a role. In April, he played Elder Thomas in a production of The Whale at the St. Louis Actors Studio, his most significant professional role yet.
“I knew going into college that I wanted to do everything. I didn't want to just do theatre or film. I wanted to do any kind of acting I could get my hands on, and I think Muhlenberg does that really well.”
—Thomas Riley ’21
In the two years he spent in St. Louis, he acted in three other stage productions, five short films, one feature film, a TV pilot and two commercials, one of which was a SAG national commercial (meaning, his commercial contract was overseen by the on-camera screen actor’s union, SAG-AFTRA). He also voice-acted in two professional projects, booked his first print modeling gig and signed with a regional talent agency.
“All of this experience is propelling me forward to be competitive in a larger market,” says Riley, who will relocate to Los Angeles in August, “and it’s thanks to starting in a medium-sized market instead of making the leap to the big hubs that allowed me to become a competitive working actor. This is what I urge current students and soon-to-be grads to consider.”
Wha
t was it like to begin your career in St. Louis?
I would be lying if I said there wasn't inherent pressure upon anyone who wants to be an actor to go to New York or Los Angeles because that's what you always hear, that it's just part of the culture of this industry. And when people hear about St. Louis, they'll think, oh, it's just a small to mid-tier market. But that's not a bad thing.
I just finished this project called Hold On! It was a world premiere with the Black Repertory Theater, my first time originating a role, which means, if this play ever gets reprinted, my name will forever be at the beginning of the book as the originator of that role, and that is incredible. I have never in my life even imagined being able to have that opportunity. And that opportunity was only possible because of the location I was in. If this were a world premiere in a larger market, [the casting team] would probably have pre-cast the whole thing with people [who they already knew or were connected with].
How did you discover your interest in acting and theatre?
I have always been obsessed with entertainment, movies and stories. Ever since I was a kid, my preferred form of entertainment has been video games. One of the things that drew me to acting was that one of the things I loved about video games was being in control of the action and character and making that character's decisions. As an actor, I get to do that same thing, but without a controller in my hand, I get to be this person and this character. And yeah, video games also got me interested in voice acting early.
That ties into why I even chose Muhlenberg for acting in the first place. I knew going into college that I wanted to do everything. I didn't want to just do theatre or film. I wanted to do any kind of acting I could get my hands on, and I think Muhlenberg does that really well.
How did Muhlenberg prepare you to take on life after college?
I think it was just a perfect storm of Muhlenberg creating a very well-rounded artist in me, and I was able to take those skills and that knowledge to a market that had room to see me and was willing to take a chance on a new face. And now, I'm using that experience, and it's propelling me forward. You know, I think the best advice I received when I was at Muhlenberg was: Don't wait for the phone to ring. Be the person who makes the calls.
