Harold Phillips

Harold Phillips has worked professionally in theatre, film and television for over 30 years. In that time, he has built a reputation for his commitment to the characters he plays, and his efforts to strengthen the creative industries in cities he's worked in. Harold was born in Frankfurt, Germany to an American military family. His childhood was spent in places around the U. S. including El Paso, Texas; Chaparral, New Mexico; White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Anchorage, Alaska. He also spent a significant period of his early life in Europe, living in Kaiserslautern, Germany and traveling with his family extensively. His love for acting began during one of these European trips. When Harold was 11 his family saw a production of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew in London's Regent's Park. He was enthralled by the non-traditional production, and decided to try his hand at acting. School and Community Theatre productions followed, as well as individual lessons and classes. By the time he started high school in Anchorage, Alaska Harold had already appeared onstage (and worked backstage) in several productions. Harold was fortunate to attend East Anchorage High School, which was noted for its commitment to theatrical excellence. East High's drama teacher, Jacqueline Lynne, encouraged her students to take a hands-on approach; as a result Harold spent his high school years acting, directing and, as Thespian president, producing the school's plays. At the same time Harold continued to perform in community theatre productions throughout Anchorage. He secured his first professional role at 16 with Anchorage's now defunct Synergy Dinner Theatre. He also signed with his first agent that year and appeared in a public service film (shown at schools throughout Alaska) about the dangers of smokeless tobacco as well as several television commercials. By the time Harold graduated from high school, he had decided to make acting his life's work. He enrolled at the University of Alaska at Anchorage in 1989 and quickly found a place in the college's Department of Theatre and Dance. While at UAA he began his training in stage combat, and became a certified member of the Society of American Fight Directors. After three years at UAA Harold transferred to Western Washington University, reasoning that he would have more professional success if he finished school near an area with a theatre and film industry. His plans to finish college at Western and work in the Seattle area went awry, however, when he met his future wife Trish Egan while performing in the college's summer stock program. After a year's long-distance courtship, Trish convinced Harold to join her in Portland, OR and finish his academic career at the University of Portland, her alma mater. After college Harold worked in a variety of Portland-area theaters, including the Miracle Theatre Co. , CoHo Productions, Northwest Children's Theatre, Artists Repertory Theatre, Mt. Hood Repertory Theatre Company, Tygre's Heart Shakespeare Company, Classic Greek Theater of Oregon, Paula Productions, and Sylvia's Class Act Dinner Theater.