An impromptu conversation that took place in the Lobero Theater green room was the direct result of an accidental drop off of both Melissa Leo and Rosemarie DeWitt at a red carpet event, albeit not for the Virtuosos Awards, but for the surf film Waveriders. 

“Looking for something hot to do in Santa Barbara?  Check out the new film Surfer Dude … no wait, Super Dude, yeah, that’s funnier.  Okay, Super Dude it is … I saw lights, I saw a red carpet … did I look at the marquee?  No….I just got out and walked the carpet and answered questions until someone said, ‘what are you doing here?”    

The crème de la crème of actor’s actors, this group is jammed packed with real, raw talent … so understated and compelling that the actors dissolve into each character with flawless transformation.  

Each individual shined as their magical personalities and mutual camaraderie described real acting; the kind where you’ll take any part just to work, where you can’t make ends meet financially, where you’re hairy legged, nuclear-holocaust-proof-roommates insist on hanging out in the kitchen sink that doubles as a bathtub … and you do it all because you have to act.  It was great to see the consummate unsungs get recognition they deserve, despite the fact they can’t surf.