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Byram Hills Theater

A Candid Conversation with Actor & Byram Hills Alum, David Harbour

August 16, 2024 by The Inside Press

BY EVAN & ELISE TRAINOR

David Harbour   PHOTO BY BRIAN MELSO

From helping super-powered teenagers fight off inter-dimensional monsters to heroically saving Christmas as a tattooed Santa Clause, David Harbour has had an interesting career to say the least. In case that wasn’t enough to catch your attention, he’s also portrayed a friendly ghost, a Russian superhero, a formula-one racing coach, and a horned demon from hell within the past five years.

What might be lesser known about Harbour is that he was born and raised in Westchester County, spent a significant portion of his childhood right here in Armonk and graduated from Byram Hills High School in 1993. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with this local celebrity who was nothing but kind and generous when it came to sharing his story and what it’s like to be one of the most highly sought-after actors in the business.

The first thing Harbour emphasized was how this level of fame and success was not always his reality. Ken Harbor, David’s father and long-time Armonk resident, commented, “I was concerned about David’s potential success in acting early on, but came to realize that his definition of success was never based on financial rewards, rather the opportunity to act and help people think and feel, a success which he has always been able to achieve.”

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Prior to his breakout performance on Netflix’s Stranger Things, Harbour spent most of his early career in theaters across New York playing various roles in dramatic – often Shakespearean plays. It wasn’t until his mid-30s that Harbour began to utilize his 6’ 3”, naturally wide frame in more action-based films such as James Bond – Quantum of Solace, The Equalizer, and Suicide Squad. He’s also currently preparing to reprise his role as The Red Guardian in one of Marvel Studios’ upcoming blockbusters, Thunderbolts, alongside familiar favorites like Harrison Ford and Florence Pugh.

Harbour noted, “The transition from stage to screen can be extremely difficult as live/in-person performances offer none of the safety nets a recorded medium would – no retakes, editing, or any other digital enhancements of any kind. I do feel like there’s less control in those cases – but as I get older, I like the cultural power of the broader mediums of film and TV.”

Since the start of the show in 2016, Stranger Things has certainly made the short list of films and series to embody that vast cultural influence. In addition to sparking countless Halloween costumes, board games, corporate partnerships, toys and other merchandise, the show propelled Harbour and the majority of his costars into the mainstream spotlight.

Harbour recalled his first experience ever playing the shows charismatic police commissioner, Jim Hopper, saying, “I felt like there was something so pure about that first season – where none of us knew it was going to be any good and so we were all committed to loving the script, loving the idea – and I just love that character.” That love was palpable and mutually felt across an audience of over 14 million people – earning Harbour a Screen Actor’s Guild Award, a Critic’s Choice Award and countless other nominations.

Harbour’s standout performance and the show’s incredible success played significant roles in keeping Netflix afloat during a time when rival platforms/providers were becoming much more legitimate and competitive. A win was very much needed, and it came in the form of a series that would eventually become the second most watched of all time (behind Game of Thrones which has twice as many seasons/episodes). Now entering its fifth and final season, the show has attracted a massive audience across all ages who are eagerly awaiting the epic conclusion that is currently in production.

I felt it would be remiss to not ask David about his experience hosting Saturday Night Live back in 2019. Often considered a rite of passage for only the best rising talent, this opportunity was, “a dream come true!” he said, “one of the highlights of my life for sure.” For now, we’ll just have to eagerly wait and see if we ever get the feature-length version of his dark, gritty Oscar the Grouch/Sesame Street parody.

We at The Inside Press were very interested in the early years and origins of one of Byram Hill’s most famous alumni. He claimed to have only had a handful of opportunities when he was young, but said, “Once I got to high school, I had the fuel for the fire and was raring to go.”

With specific mentions and anecdotes about his theatre director at the time, Harbour expressed how that exposure to the arts and the stage in high school was instrumental in giving him the guidance and confidence – a huge blessing. David’s terrific successes on stage, screen, and television aside, his mother and biggest fan (known for her Rice Krispie treats sold at school play intermissions) felt that nothing could match his iconic portrayal of Salieri in the Byram Hills High School production of Amadeus.

When asked if he has any advice for the next generation of actors, Harbour explained that the world needs good artists, and that people should not be dissuaded from the profession. “Today people are building brands, which is easy. What’s difficult are the skills, and when push comes to shove in the arts, you will always need a good plumber or a good electrician… there is a lot of technique in good acting,” Harbour said. “If you focus on that as an actor, while it may feel difficult to understand, it will pay off long term in a big way. Hunker down, read the books, go to classes, and study what the great ones do,” he concluded.

With the climactic, heavily anticipated final season of Stranger Things and the next installation of The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) on the horizon, both with release dates in Spring of 2025, there’s no telling how high David Harbour’s metaphorical ceiling can go. He’s also secured a role in Sylvester Stallone’s next film, Levon’s Trade, alongside action star, Jason Statham. Wherever his career takes him, whether it’s beating up bad guys or making us sob uncontrollably, you can be sure that we’ll be ready with plenty of popcorn and beaming with pride.

David shared, “I’ve had a lot of fun roles and things that I’ve been proud of, but I actually feel like my best work is certainly ahead of me.”

Evan Trainor grew up in Armonk/also a Byram Hills graduate. Now he is a senior graphic designer/creative strategist/copywriter living in Greenwich, CT.

Elise Trainor is the Associate Publisher/Editor for The Inside Press. A lifelong lover of all media and proud to be content developer and community business collaborator for advertising in our print & online publications.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Byram Hills Alumni, Byram Hills School District, Byram Hills Theater, David Harbour, Levon's Trade, M, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Stranger Things, Thunderbolts

Byram Hills High School Theater Program Celebrates its Golden Anniversary with New ‘Theater Honors Wall’

April 23, 2017 by Stacey Pfeffer

The entire cast of Les Misérables at Byram Hills High School
PRESTIGE PORTRAITS BY LIFETOUCH

 

For the past five decades, Byram Hills Theater Program has been churning out an impressive array of students who have eventually pursued successful careers in movies, television and stage productions.

Alumni of the program were honored this past March and were invited to partake in an unveiling ceremony of a new Theater Honors Wall displayed outside the high school’s theater.

The ceremony took place before the current theater group’s matinee production of Les Misérables which several of the honorees attended.

Faculty and current members of the theater group recognized 26 honorees–24 alumni plus two former directors of the program and included actor Eddie Cahill of the shows CSI: NY and Friends; Bryce Dallas Howard, one of the leads in the 2015 blockbuster Jurassic World; and David Harbour, who played Police Chief Jim Hopper in the Netflix hit Stranger Things.

They also include producers, lighting designers, composers, arts educators and people involved in regional theater across the U.S. Each year the wall will have additional alumni added to it.

Many of the alumni credit the strong theater program with helping propel them towards a career in the arts. Grant Sturiale (Class of 1975) who attended the ceremony and is now a Broadway conductor and composer reminisced about how he participated in Byram Hills productions every year while in high school under the direction of theater teacher Gene Bissell. Commented Sturiale: “Bissell was a life force in the theater. He directed shows like we were opening at the Winter Garden Theater on Broadway. It imbued on all of us this tremendous sense of responsibility. He was a dynamic man and teacher.”

Byram Hills Theater Honorees stand by the new ‘Theater Honors Walls.’ Alumni (L-R): Grant Sturiale, Christopher Cummings, Michael Cummings, Sobha Kavanakudiyil and Stephanie Failing Saletan with her son
PHOTO BY PUTNAM-NORTHERN WESTCHESTER BOCES

 

Another alumni Christopher Cummings (Class of 1995) who is now an exhibit designer for museums, visitor centers and aquariums loved working under the tutelage of director Joy Varley. “Byram Hills had such strong theater productions and all the shows were top-notch. That feeling of the show must go on and the stress and anticipation of everyone working together left an impression on me.”

Stellar theater productions continue to live on at Byram Hills. The latest show, Les Misérables, under the direction of John Lopez, received thunderous applause and a nightly standing ovation by the audience including, the alumni honorees in attendance.

Inside Press Editor Grace Bennett, who attended opening night, stated effusively, “I’ve seen Les Misérables on Brodaway, and believe it or not, I found this production every bit as enjoyable. Kudos to all the kids, Mr. Lopez and all involved in bringing Les Misérables to Byram Hills.”

She added that “the high caliber show showcases incredible high school acting and singing talent that is so obviously being nurtured at Byram Hills. It was a thoroughly professional, impressive and ultimately, moving evening of theater! I think there were not too many dry eyes. Also, the joy at the cast party immediately following the production was palpable!”

At an opening night party (L-R): ‘Marius’ (Michael Ramsey, ‘17) Eponine (Dominique Karanfilian, ‘18) Javert’ (Shae Gordon, ‘19) Valjean’ (Charles Winston, ‘17)
PHOTO BY GRACE BENNETT

Charlie Winston, a senior who played lead Jean Valjean and who plans to study acting in college noted that “one day he hopes to be on the honor wall like the alumni.” With a little luck and successes like this one, that just might happen.

Filed Under: Armonk Community Tagged With: Armonk, Byram Hills Alumni, Byram Hills Theater, Inside Armonk, Inside Press, Les Miserables, Theater Honorees, Theatre

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