Rich Swingle
Rich Swingle is an American film actor, screenwriter and stage actor. He also is a Freedom Finder for Graceworks Inc. and teaches at the Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmaking Camp. After growing up on a farm in Medford, Oregon, he went on to study at George Fox University, Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary and Hunter College, ultimately receiving a master's degree from the latter. He has appeared in numerous films, including A Christmas Snow, Indescribable, Alone yet Not Alone and Beyond the Mask, and he is well known for his one-man theatre acts.
Rich Swingle | |
|---|---|
 Swingle on the set of the film Courageous Love. | |
| Born | May 30 |
| Nationality |  |
| Occupation | Actor, director, teacher, presentation coach, producer |
Biography
Rich Swingle was born in Medford, Oregon. His mother is a medical transcriptionist, and his father is a pilot, inventor, and retired farmer. Rich was raised on a farm that had been in the family since the 1920s. Swingle graduated from George Fox University, where "he spent many of his weekends visiting elementary schools and churches as part of the student touring drama group George Fox Players."[1] He was named their alumnus of the year in 1999. He is an evangelical Christian and, "After years of feeling called to ministry, Rich Swingle entered Massachusetts’ Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary, one of the country's top five evangelical seminaries,"[2] which he attended from 1991 to 1992. He received his master's degree in theatre from Hunter College, where he studied under Eric Bentley--who was a student of C. S. Lewis--Tina Howe playwriting, Patricia Sternberg (sociodrama)--a student of sociodrama's inventor, Jacob L. Moreno--and Jerome Coopersmith (screenwriting)--screenwriter An American Christmas Carol and for many episodes of the original Hawaii Five-O. He has been married to Joyce Swingle since 1998. She is currently a counselor, actor, and pastor at Westchester Chapel Church of the Nazarene in White Plains, New York.
Playwright and Stage Actor
Swingle has lived in New York City since 1993, where he's acted in a number of productions of both stage and film. He has performed and/or taught on six continents, in 39 nations and in hundreds of venues, mostly with a dozen one-man plays he has written or helped develop. His one man play "Beyond the Chariots"[3] about the later life of Eric Liddell has been featured around the world and at various Olympic events. He also performed it at the Edinburgh Festival. Regarding the production and life of Eric Liddell, Swingle said, "Chariots of Fire deeply inspired me as a young man. I ran a cross-country race in China 20 years ago so that aspect of Eric's life is embedded in mine even more. I admire his deep convictions and willingness to stand behind them..."[4] "Despite all the fame and adulation he was showered with after the Olympics and all the career opportunities that were presenting themselves at the time, Liddell chose to return to China and teach."[5]
Swingle has performed several other one-man acts, such as "5 Bells for 9/11", a play tells the stories of three people, including firefighter Bruce Van Hine from Squad 41.[6] "Soon after 9/11, an Indiana church asked Mr. Swingle to find a New Yorker willing to speak about his or her experiences during the tragedy. "And I realized, wait a minute, why just have one person tell their story of that day?"[7]
Presentations Trainer and Coach
Since 2001 Swingle has been a Freedom Finder for Graceworks, helping presenters in a variety of fields overcome stage fright and connect with their audiences through seminars and project coaching. Swingle said, "I have seen fear visibly melt away as clients learn to connect with their listeners. It's exhilarating to see people go beyond what they thought possible!"[8]
Director
He worked with John Kirby (acting coach on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Déjà Vu, The Count of Monte Cristo) to co-direct Tartuffe and Our Town, during which he performed the role of the Stage Manager, and The Miracle Worker. He also directed Cyrano de Bergerac, The Jeweler's Shop, Twelve Angry Jurors, and Much Ado About Nothing, all with assistance from Patricia Mauceri and Susan Somerville Brown.
Teacher
He has performed and/or taught workshops in more 50 colleges and universities, including his alma mater, George Fox University, University of Memphis, Namseoul University in Korea, Singapore Bible College, and Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary in the Philippines. Each spring he teaches a workshop at Princeton University. Swingle also spoke at the Ivy League Congress on Faith and Action, hosted by the Harvard University chapter of Christian Union. He has taught acting seminars and performed on the main stage at the Christian Worldview Film Festival in San Antonio, Texas.
Film actor
Since 2010 Swingle has been performed in over 30 films. He plays the lead role of Mitchell Little, which was distributed through AMC Independent starting February 12, 2016. His wife Joyce has played his fictional wife in five of those projects: Indescribable, The Unexpected Bar Mitzvah, Rather to Be Chosen, and Mayflower II, "A Matter of Perspective".
Awards
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | George Fox University Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award | Youngest recipient at the time |
| 2013 | The HARK Award for Best Actor | For the role of Claud in A Christmas Snow. |
| 2015 | Aletheia Fellowship of the Arts Feature Film Awards Nominated for Best Lead Actor | For the role of Micah Maslow in The Unexpected Bar Mitzvah |
| 2016 | The Christian Film Festival Award for Best Actor | For the role of Mitchell Little in Providence |
| 2016 | The ICVM Gold Crown Winner Best Drama Under $250,000 | Played the lead role of Mitchell Little in Providence |
| 2016 | The ICVM Silver Crown Winner Best Evangelistic Film | Played the lead role of Mitchell Little in Providence |
| 2016 | The ICVM Bronze Crown Winner Best Film | Played the lead role of Mitchell Little in Providence |
| 2016 | The ICVM Bronze Best Youth Film | Played the lead role of Mitchell Little in Providence |
| 2016 | The Christian Film Festival Award for Fan Favorite Best Actor | For the role of Mitchell Little in Providence |
| 2016 | The Christian Film Festival Award for Best Cast | For the role of Mitchell Little in Providence |
| 2016 | The Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival nominated for Best Ensemble Cast in a Feature Film | For the role of Mitchell Little in Providence |
| 2016 | The Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival Winner (tie) of the Bonehead Award for Best Feature Faith-Based | Played the lead role of Mitchell Little in Providence |
| 2016 | International Christian Film Festival Nominated for the Festival Award | Played the lead role of Mitchell Little in Providence |
| 2017 | International Christian Film Festival Best Lead Actor in a Short Film | For the role of Garreth in "A Matter of Perspective" |
| 2017 | International Christian Film Festival Honorable Mention for Best Short Film | Served as acting coach and played a truck driver in "One Day" |
| 2017 | Best Shorts Competition Award of Merit for a Short Film | Served as acting coach and played a truck driver in "One Day" |
| 2017 | Best Shorts Competition Award of Recognition for a Christian Short Film | Served as acting coach and played a truck driver in "One Day" |
| 2018 | International Christian Film Festival Nominated for Best Lead Actor in a Short Film | For "All God's Children" |
| 2018 | Christian Worldview Film Festival First Place for Honor Your Father Film Contest | Played lead inventor and voice of RoboDad for "RoboDad" |
| 2018 | Hollywood Divine International Film Festival Nominated for Best Comedic Performance | Played God in "All God's Children" |
| 2018 | Hollywood Divine International Film Festival Official Selection | Producer and Narrator for "Colonel Papa Cubano" |
| 2019 | International Christian Film Festival Film Festival Official Selection | Producer and Narrator for "Colonel Papa Cubano" |
| 2019 | Hollywood Divine International Film Festival Official Selection | Producer for "Cuba Para Cristo" |
| 2019 | International Christian Film Festival Nominated for Best Lead Actor in a Short Film | For "You Should Be There" |
| 2020 | The Way of the Storyteller. Won the one week film competition | Script and casting consultant, acting coach and protagonist for "The Ledger" |
| 2020 | People's Choice: Actor of the Year nomination | International Christian Film and Music Festival |
Bibliography
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | The Fall | 1-act based on "Les Misérables". |
| 1992 | I Come and Go at His Command | A play based on the martyrdom of Mary Dyer. |
| 1993 | A Clear Leading | The story of John Woolman, turned into a 1-man play in 1995. |
| 1995 | Big Fish Little Worm | 1-man play. Monologue "Lazarus" by Sean Gaffney. |
| 1997 | Views of the Manger | A 1-man Christmas play including the monologue "Harvey Silverstein" by Mac Nelson. |
| 1998 | The Revelation | A 1-man play based on the Book of Revelation. |
| 1999 | The Acts | A 1-man play based on the Acts of the Apostles. |
| 2001 | The Fall | An adaptation of Swingle's 1-act play based on "Les Misérables" as a radio drama for Stage Shadows starring Rob Evan, reprising his Broadway role as Jean Valjean and George Merritt—of Broadway's Jekyll & Hyde (musical)—as the Bishop Welcome. |
| 2002 | Alien Immigration Training | A 1-man play. |
| 2002 | Five Bells for 9/11 | A 1-man play based on interviews with those that experienced the September 11 attacks first hand. |
| 2003 | Journey to the Garden | A 1-man play based on Jesus Christ's Passion (Christianity). |
| 2004 | Beyond the Chariots | A 1-man play based on Eric Liddell. |
| 2011 | Shepherds Reflect on the 23rd Psalm | Conceived by Pastor Linda Warren, developed by Rich and Joyce Swingle for Morrison Academy in Taichung, Taiwan, and based on Psalm 23. |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | The Beginner's Bible: The Story of Creation | Adam and The Serpent |
| 1995 | The Beginner's Bible: The Story of Noah's Ark | Shem and Villager |
| 1995 | The Beginner's Bible: The Story of Moses | Pharaoh, Slave Master, Young Moses, Advisor to Pharaoh |
| 1995 | The Beginner's Bible: The Story of David and Goliath | Shammah, Hebrew Soldiers, Philistine Soldiers |
| 1995 | The Beginner's Bible: The Nativity | Second Shepherd, Third Wise Man, Advisor to Herod, Centurion, Villager |
| 1995 | The Beginner's Bible: The Story of Easter | Jesus, John, Villager |
| 2010 | A Christmas Snow | Claud |
| 2011 | Pawn's Move | Sheriff Hansen |
| 2012 | For the Glory | Coach Ryan |
| 2012 | Indescribable | Fredrick Lehman |
| 2012 | "Settled" (Short) | Tom |
| 2013 | Alone yet Not Alone | Speculator |
| 2013 | In His Steps | John Gray |
| 2013 | Christmas Grace | Clerk |
| 2014 | Creed of Gold | TV Reporter |
| 2014 | Confessions of a Prodigal Son | Homeless Man |
| 2014 | The Screenwriters | Forrest Woods |
| 2014 | Beyond the Mask | Dr. Bonneville |
| 2015 | Princess Cut | Nigel Livengood |
| 2015 | Polycarp | Auctioneer |
| 2015 | The Unexpected Bar Mitzvah | Micah Maslow |
| 2015 | Courageous Love | Alex Shelby, Sr. |
| 2015 | Mayflower II | Ferris Chapman |
| 2015 | Lifestone Velocity | Dr. Allister Walker |
| 2015 | The Messenger's Box | Jesus |
| 2015 | Providence | Mitchell Little |
| 2015 | Indy Christian Review (Series) | Auctioneer |
| 2016 | "A Matter of Perspective" (Short) | Garreth (lead) |
| 2016 | "One Day" (Short) | Truck Driver |
| 2017 | The King's Messengers, Episode: "Is There Really a God?" (series) | Ambassador Adam Sutherland |
| 2017 | The King's Messengers, Episode: "How Do We Talk with God?" (series) | Ambassador Adam Sutherland |
| 2017 | "Living Word" (short) | Science Teacher |
| 2017 | "All God's Children" (short) | God |
| 2017 | "RoboDad" (short) | Scientist and Voice of RoboDad |
| 2018 | "The Farmer and the Belle" | Belle's Manager, Conrad |
| 2018 | "There" (short) | Walter |
| 2018 | It's a Life Worth Living | Charles |
| 2019 | "Reflection" (short) | Mr. Cummings |
| 2019 | "Lonliness" (short) | Father |
| 2019 | "The Ledger" (short) | Daniel |
| 2019 | "Mine" (short) | Man |
| 2019 | Second Chances | Alan Doherety |
| 2020 | "The Whistlin' Kid: A Delantare Story" | Benson |
| 2020 | "Hope Alert" | Uncle Jarod |
| 2020 | "Thanksgiving Without" | Dad |
| 2020 | "Interrogation" | Guard |
Audio Drama / Voice Over
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The Fall | All voices but Bishop (Broadway performer George Merritt) and Jean Valjean (Rob Evan, who played the role on Broadway) | Stage Shadows |
| 2008 | Olympic Hero in China: The Story of Eric Liddell | Narrator | Goodnews Communication International, Recorded in Hong Kong |
| 2015 | The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty: The Dragon and the Raven | Theodore the Monk opposite Brian Deacon, Olaf and Villager opposite Stephen Greif, and Ethelbert | Heirloom Audio, Recorded in London |
| 2015 | Renting to Parakletos | Jeeves Meriwether | Directed by Peter James Johnson |
| 2017 | The Giant Killer | The Giant Selfishness, Edgar | Lamplighter Theatre |
| 2017 | Escape from the Eagle's Nest | Mir Ghazan, Aabid, Captive Missionary, Faruq, and others | Lamplighter Theatre |
| 2017 | Tales of the Kingdom | Intro and Outro | Lamplighter Theatre |
| 2017 | Tales of the Resistance | Intro and Outro | Lamplighter Theatre |
| 2018 | The Adventum, Volume 1 | Isaac and 15 other roles | Wise King Media |
| 2019 | Out of Egypt | Voice of God | Fidèle Youth Dance Company a division of Turning Pointe Dance, Colorado |
| 2019 | Airship Genesis: The Mountain Contest | Elijah | Turning Point |
| 2020 | The Adventum, Volume 3 | Camsis, Advisor to Pariah and 7 other roles | Wise King Media |
Video Game
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Airship Genesis | John the Baptist | Turning Point. Performance is on Level 11 |
References
- Hubbell, Barry (Spring 2009). "A class act". George Fox Journal: The Magazine of George Fox University. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
- Blaney, Retta (April 7, 2006). "Rich Swingle acts out his ministry". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
- Dassow, Richard (October 4, 2007). "Rich Swingle To Perform "Acts"". Fox Point Now. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
- Smith, David (September 8, 2007). "Chariots rerun 'overplays religion'". The Guardian. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
- Williams, Douglas (January 13, 2007). "Hero honored". Shanghai Daily. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
- Dawson, Mike (September 12, 2006). "Play in Washingtonville remembers 9/11 heroes". Times Herald-Record. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
- Angell, Kate Luce (September 6, 2007). "Building hope from tragedy: 'Five Bells' brings 9/11 story to Bethel Park". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
- http://graceworksinc.com/?team_members=rich-swingle