Brian Epperson

What is your favorite role you’ve ever done?

John in Oleanna. It was the first time I got to play an ugly human being who did ugly human things. … It was the first time I stepped out of my comfort zone.

How long have you been acting?

Half of my life.

What do you enjoy most about acting?

It’s a different world. And you really feel like you can say something up there. You really feel like the impact you have — it’s a tangible, visceral thing. You can actually change how people see things.

Why did you choose to come to the graduate program at OU?

First of all, the amount of collaboration is extraordinary between the playwrights and the actors and the directors and the stage crew. I don’t know if I’ve seen such teamwork at a university. After learning about the program and meeting the faculty, I was not sure if I could do it, and it actually scared me — so I thought this was place for me. … I’m glad I’ll be with the same nine people. We can help each other. If I fall, they’ll help me pick myself up, and whatever we do, we get to do it together and that’s very encouraging.

What are you hoping to get out of the program after three years?

I just hope I’m the best me that I possibly can be, and hopefully they’ll have taught me how to put him to good use.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I have lived in 43 states, and I have been in all 50. I toured with an international children’s theater — Missoula Children’s Theatre out of Missoula, Montana. I did it for 12 years. … I really loved being a nomad. 

See him as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing Nov. 11-14, 18-21