Tag: q&a

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Featured Lifestyle NYC

Women of The Sail

When you are sailing, the feeling and sounds of the wind, water, and the warm sunshine touching your face somehow force you ever so gently to let go. It’s my one and only place where I can just…be.

To say that sailing is one of our company’s favorite pastimes would be an understatement. We are huge fans of Classic Harbor Line, their captains, and crew.

Over the years we’ve had the great opportunity to meet and get to know the Captains of their fleet. This season we wanted to share our one-on-one interviews with some of CHL female captains

Meet Captain Kat.

Adirondack Classic Harbor Line

DTM: How did you get started in this line of work and where are you from?
Capt Kat: I taught sailing on 24- 50 ft boats. I grew up in Seattle and moved to New York after college.

DTM: What brought you to CHL?
Capt Kat: Adirondack has been the prettiest boat in the Harbor since 1999. One of my colleagues from teaching sailing was the full-time captain and another colleague got hired as a relief captain and asked me if I wanted to sail Adirondack too. This is back when Adirondack was the only boat CHL (before it was CHL) had in New York.  I have been one of Adirondack’s captains since 2006.

DTM: What type of education or updated education are you given with CHL?
Capt Kat: We do safety training once a month and have checklists and training for the crew to advance to first mates and captains.

DTM: What is your favorite thing about working for CHL in New York,
share one of your most memorable/rewarding moment?
Capt Kat: New York Harbor is a beautiful and challenging place to sail.  It is rewarding to feel the boat spring to life with a lovely breeze and see the joy in our guest’s faces as we sail by stunning views of NYC powered only by wind and current (when conditions allow).

DTM: Have you ever raced or sailed the ocean?
Capt Kat: Yes. I like sailing places I’ve never been to before and take my vacations sailing in locations all over the world.

 

Captain Kat and Crew

DTM: Do you ever get bored with sailing the same route?
Capt Kat: No. For me, the challenge of being under sail for as much of the trip as possible, the changing current and wind conditions, and having to get to the Statue and back in the allotted time all combine to create essentially a game of chess.  It’s different every time.

DTM: What makes a good captain?
Capt Kat: An awareness of the overall safety of the vessel, crew, and guests.

DTM: Is there a difference being a captain for sailing vessel vs motor yachts?
Capt Kat: Not really, you have the same responsibility for the safety of the vessel and all on board.  For me, the sailboat is much more fun because of the challenge of getting the boat to move with only the power of the wind and current.  It’s a combination of science and art.

DTM: What’s the last thing you do on your ship before you depart for the day?
Capt Kat: At the end of the day, the last thing I do is check the dock lines.

DTM: Because we are Downtown Magazine, what is your favorite place in Lower Manhattan Chelsea to the Battery to just get away and relax?
Capt Kat: I love lower Manhattan. My favorite sculpture is the WTC Sphere. I loved it in its original location, bringing humanity to the tall towers.  It spoke to my heart standing damaged but still strong in Battery Park. And now in Liberty Park, it still brings tears, but also a path forward.

 

Captain Kat Adirondack

 

DTM: Tips, I’m all about tips for the crew its very important to show your gratitude, they work so hard in such a short time, why is it important to tip?
Capt Kat: Our crew is amazing. For me to maneuver the boat under sail, the crew must man the sails.  We are sailing the boat as a team. They have an awareness of the safe operation of the vessel while also chatting with guests and serving drinks. 

DTM: What’s is the best advice to give new captains when working with the public?
Capt Kat: If you have joy in your job sailing the boat, chances are the guests will also enjoy sailing.

Captain Kat’s Bio
Katrina van Zee, aka Captain Kat, is a captain for Classic Harbor Line, sailing in New York Harbor for over a decade.  She holds a United States Coast Guard (USCG) 100-ton Master License with a sailing endorsement and is a U.S. Sailing Certified Instructor at Basic Keelboat, Cruising and Coastal Navigation levels.  In the off-season she enjoys sailing in places she’s never been before; favorites include Sea of Hebrides, Baltic Sea, and the Gulf of Thailand.

Classic Harbor Line is the operating company of the Schooners Adirondack & America 2.0 and the Luxury Yachts Manhattan, Manhattan II & Kingston of Chelsea Piers. Operating sightseeing trips on New York waters since 1999, Classic Harbor Line specializes in bringing beautiful, classic-style vessels to the New York City waterways and creating special and memorable excursions.

Our Crew, including all captains, mates, chefs, and on-land representatives at Classic Harbor Line, is what makes the experience on our beautiful yachts truly magical. We have maintained a consistent history of not only operating with professional staff but also with warm and inviting hosts. You will, without a doubt, have fantastic views of the city and find the boats beautiful and comfortable, but what will surprise you and stay with you when you leave is the warm and special treatment you receive from our extraordinary team.

Categories
Featured NYC

At the Helm – Captain Sarah Pennington

At the Helm - Captain Sarah Pennington

 

She Captain, Sarah Pennington She’s all That!

The Old Man and the Sea is a short novel written by the American author, Ernest Hemingway. It takes place in 1951 Cuba and was published in 1952, long before females took the helm. One could argue that yes, in fact, there were female Captains back as far as 231 B.C. The Norwegian Princess Sela, considered a pirate, sailed in 420 A.D.

Fast forward to the 1970s and there was Krystyna Chojnowska- Liskiewicz of Poland, Naomi James of New Zeland, Kay Cottee of Australia. Today, we see female captains in the recreational cruise industry and the US Navy, like Admiral Michelle J. Howard, the first female four-star admiral.

Today we have captains, right now in our time and right here in New York City.

Being a female entrepreneur, I am extremely proud whenever I meet females in the role of power. If there’s a female in charge of the plane or a sailing large vessel I’m on, it makes me smile from ear to ear, a sense of female pride.

I just love being that “fly on the wall” only to hear men say, it’s a woman? She’s not the one in charge? I just chuckle to myself biting my tongue and watch in amazement when they quickly eat their words. This recently happened onboard Captain Sarah’s vessel.

I’ve not only had the pleasure of being a guest on her ship but also recently the extreme pleasure of interviewing, her.

A She Captain
Captain Sarah Pennington Sailing America 2.0 Photo by Nick Appice

 

DTM: How did you get started in this line of work and where are you from?
Capt Sarah: I am originally from Ohio. I grew up sailing with my family on a large lake in Kentucky and then in the Houston area.  I really learned to sail when I learned how to teach sailing at a girls’ camp in northern Minnesota while in college.  I took a tall ship job on a coastal schooner right after I finished college in Maine. That’s when I got hooked on schooners. 

DTM: What brought you to Classic HarborLine (CHL)?
Capt Sarah: I came to New York in 2002. I saw an advertisement in TimeOut New York magazine for the schooner Adirondack. I called them to see if they needed a crew. The ticket agent said, “Yes, please come over as soon as possible.” I came down that day to introduce myself. The rest is history. 

DTM: What type of education or updated education are you given with CHL?
Capt Sarah: I certainly have learned so much through working with CHL.  The most industry-specific education would be that of the regulatory requirements of the field. Tangentially, since I’m involved with the business side of the company, I’ve learned so much on the marketing, tourism, PR, finance, and online sales side of the business as well.  CHL also helped me get an MBA a few years back and that really helped me put a business strategy in focus and gave me a vernacular for business. 

DTM: What is your favorite thing about working for CHL in New York?
Capt Sarah: My favorite thing about working for CHL in New York is that anybody can be on our team if you just have the right attitude. 

 

A She Captain
America 2.0 Classic Harborline

DTM: Share one of your most memorable/rewarding moments?
Capt Sarah: The most rewarding part of work is seeing our crew develop and take on more responsibility within the company. Some become managers, some become captains. I love to see people grow in our company.  We have a roster of mostly homegrown captains, many of whom had no marine experience when they started. A captain who drives half of our fleet now started as a part-time salesperson in our office.  She just had the right attitude, kept learning, put one foot in front of the other, and now she’s running our boats.

DTM: What is the most common misconception people have about being a Captain of a vessel in New York vs sailing the ocean?
Capt Sarah: I think the biggest misconception is that guests think we have nothing to do in the winter. We operate year-round with part of our fleet. 

DTM: Have you ever raced or sailed the ocean?
Capt Sarah: I’ve done very little offshore work and very little racing. It is not something we get much time, since we run full time with our tours in NYC.

DTM: Do you ever get bored with sailing the same route?
Capt Sarah: I’d say I’m glad we have such a magnificent skyline that is always changing.  I’m also thrilled that we have such an active harbor. That keeps us on our toes for sure. The only thing that may make for a long, dull day is a day with no wind!  

DTM: What makes a good captain?
Capt Sarah: A good captain in our industry is one who communicates and connects with the crew and their guests regularly.  Regular communication throughout the trip amongst the crew and checking in with guests periodically make such a huge difference in how everyone perceives the experience.

 

A She Captain
Captian Sarah Pennington Jazz Cruise America 2.0 (interacting with her guests) Photo by Grace A. Capobianco

 

DTM: Is there a difference between being a captain for sailing vessels vs motor yachts?
Capt Sarah: The only difference in licensing is that a skipper needs a sailing endorsement on their license to run a commercial sailing vessel.

DTM: What’s the last thing you do on your ship before you depart for the day?
Capt Sarah: We have a long list of shut down “to-do’s” for each boat, but typically, the VERY last item is to lock up and ease our dock lines a bit so the boat is not pulled hard against the dock all night.

 

At the Helm - Captain Sarah Pennington
Captain Sarah Pennington

 

DTM: Because we are Downtown Magazine, what is your favorite place in Lower Manhattan Chelsea, to the Battery to just get away and relax?
Capt Sarah: I like to bike or take a run down the Westside of Hudson River Park.  One special spot for me to grab a coffee or nice breakfast is the cafe in the lobby of the Jane Street Hotel (also right on the west side highway)…when indoor dining was permitted.

DTM: Tips, I’m all about tips for the crew. It’s very important to show your gratitude, they work so hard in such a short time, why is it important to tip?
Capt Sarah: Making a living in NYC means being able to live in NYC.  Sailing is weather dependent, seasonal, and requires some very skilled labor. Certainly, good tips help us keep doing what we love and pay the bills while doing it.

 

A She Captain
View onboard America 2.0 with Captain Sarah Pennington at the helm Photo by Grace A. Capobianco

DTM: What’s the best advice you can give to new captains when working with the public?
Capt Sarah: I like to remind folks I work with, “It’s just a boat ride.” We are just taking people out to have fun, so let’s not stress out too much.  Let the brain surgeons stress out.  Our job is to make fun.  Keep them safe and have fun. 

Take my advice, go online, and book anyone of Classic Harbor Line’s vessels, you just may get lucky enough to be a guest on Captain Sarah Pennington’s ship!

 

Categories
Featured Fitness Health NYC

Cabin Fever? Decorated Personal Trainer Paul Kostas Weighs in On How to Get Your Sweat On During a Pandemic

Paul Kostas; Photograph by Catalina Kulczar; @catalinaphotog.

As retail shops, restaurants, and gyms shutter to prevent the spread of COVID-19, countless fitness fanatics have bemoaned the idea of missed workouts. Thankfully, there are many effective fitness routines to engage in from the comfort of your own home. To get a better picture of how to keep active, we sat down (virtually) with Paul Kostas, the Director of Personal Training at Brooklyn Athletic Club (BAC), for some insight into how he is keeping his clients, the BAC community, and fitness lovers healthy.

A highly decorated personal trainer, Kostas’s certifications and continuing education include: USA Olympic Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach; Certified Clinical Weightlifting Coach; Bio-Signature Modulation; Catalyst Athletics Level 1 Weightlifting Coach; and Functional Movement Specialist—just to name a few. And while the Williamsburg, Brooklyn-located BAC serves the purpose of every other gym—it is quite unique in its make-up—infrared saunas included. A fitness gem amidst the ubiquitous chains lining every other street corner, the BAC not only has an inspiring community of people determined to lift each other up, but every fitness instructor at the gym boasts a wish list of certifications, awards, and more. For now, enjoy Kostas’s tips and tricks, but don’t forget to place BAC on your list of gyms to hit—let’s hope that time is soon!

Paul Kostas; Photograph by Catalina Kulczar; @catalinaphotog.

Downtown: Now that every gym in New York—and various other states—are mandated to close for the time being, what steps are you taking to continue to advise your clients on exercise routines?

Paul Kostas, Director of Personal Training at Brooklyn Athletic Club: As soon as we decided it was for the safety of the community to close our doors, we immediately went to work creating workout programs to be done at home. We are using social media and email lists to alert our members that we are posting workouts on the Train Heroic app.

Downtown: We love the idea behind TrainHeroic! When and how did that originate?

PK: We’ve been using Train Heroic for our Semi-Private Training sessions for about 4 years now. It’s fantastic—we can create training programs that can be accessed remotely. The app also allows us to include detailed instructions and link demo videos. The feature I most appreciate right now is the message board where everyone can comment on the workout.

Downtown: How many workouts do you plan on posting a week? Can you share an example of one legs or arms workout?

PK: Right now I’m posting a workout everyday except for Sunday—everyone should rest once a week. As demand increases, I am thinking of posting two different workouts a day—a cardio-based one and a strength-based one.

#6: Legs- perform all exercises for set numbers or reps back to back. Rest 2–3 minutes between sets. Repeat for 3–5 rounds.

  • Forward Lunge + Squat Jump x 20 total reps
  • SL RDL + Reverse Lunge x 10 reps per side
  • Squat Jacks x 20 reps
  • Hip Thrust or Bridge x 20 reps

#7: Arms and Back 10–1 For Time

  • Triceps Push-ups
  • Tote Bag Hammer Curl (use a towel)
  • Bent Over Rear Delt Fly (use a wine bottle)

Downtown: What has the response been like? Can anyone join in? If so, how?

PK: I’m blown away by the response. Over 225 people have joined in the last 48 hours. There has been constant interaction with all the members and everyone really appreciates it.

It’s free and open to everyone. Download the Train Heroic app (ios/android)—team name is Stronger Together and the access code is bactogether.

Downtown: What have you learned about the importance of a workout community? How can you continue to share with a community while apart during these times?

Photograph: Jon Johnnidis.

PK: Our community at BAC has always been so special and amazing. It was heartbreaking to close our doors and the ability to still stay in constant contact with everyone through the workouts and social media is getting me through the day.

We’re encouraging people to record and post their workouts to IG and tag @brooklynathelticclub & @paulkostas so we can repost as well so everyone still feels like we’re all doing this together.

Members are commenting on the workouts in the app, and on IG, and we’re using that to try to facilitate interactions and continue to cultivate community.

Downtown: Can you share with our readers what is so particularly special about BAC and its trainers + members?

PK: I really think it starts with our coaching staff—everyone is incredibly knowledgeable and personable and that helps to attract and retain an amazing client base. Everyone truly gets along and respects each other. We take fitness very seriously but we have a ton of fun doing it together.

We’ve been hosting competitions and parties throughout the years and Tasha Hunter, (coach and digital communications director) has started hosting Ladies Night workouts, so we now have the strongest and most badass group of women in NYC.

Downtown: What is your advice for those who have never been into home workouts—what tips would you offer to self-motivate?

PK: Now more than ever we have to keep a routine of self care and health a top priority. I personally am not a fan of home workouts, but having 30 minutes a day to move, and knowing over 200 others are doing it with me, is going to keep me sane. We’re taking what we have right now and making the best of it while trying to stay positive—keeping a workout routine is a huge part of that. I do think this is as much or more of a practice in mental and emotional health then physical health right now.

Downtown: Why should we not underestimate a low-impact workout?

PK: We’re managing reps schemes, tempo, and rest intervals in order to keep the low-impact workouts challenging.

Downtown: What kind of low-impact workouts are great for legs?

PK: Avoid jumping if you need to keep it low impact. Focus on slowing down the movements and maintaining tension in the target muscles. Squats, lunges, step-ups, and of course, stretching.

Downtown: How often would you advise someone who took frequent workout classes to participate in a high-impact workout?

PK: This varies to the individual but start with 3/week and build from there.

Downtown: How possible is this with minimal equipment?

PK: Get creative! We have tote bags full of canned goods in the training program as a “weight”, wine bottles, jugs of water, a backpack full of books, etc.

By using higher rep schemes, slower tempo, and short rest periods we’re able to make the workouts effective.

Downtown: My only exercise equipment right now happens to be a resistance band. What can I do to exercise my core, legs, and arms?

PK: Join our team Stronger Together on Train Heroic and let us take it from there!

Downtown: For those of us with studio apartments, how can we get our cardio in with minimal space?

PK: All the workouts are designed with exactly that in mind.

Downtown: What have your favorite workouts been?

PK: I have seven workouts published and I really like how they work together in a unit—each targeting different muscle groups on different days and the variety between them.

Honestly, my favorite part about writing these workouts is the challenge of being creative and not making things complicated.

Downtown: What will be your first workout when you are able to head back to the gym?

PK: Put a barbell on my back and squat as heavy as I can!

 

Categories
Events Featured NYC

Doris Dear Decks the Halls: An Interview with Raymond DeForest

Doris Dear and Lisa Yaeger bring the house down

All photos by Kristen Blush

2019’s Doris Dear Christmas Special may have ended just a few short weeks ago, but creator Raymond DeForest is already hard at work dreaming up his show for Christmas 2020. This is the fifth year for the special, which features host Doris Dear, played by DeForest, joins a cast of performers to share diverse holiday traditions and stories. For us at Downtown, it is a favorite annual treat. 

Each year, the show has raised money for “The Longest Day” initiative with the Alzheimers Association, selling custom-made enamel pins and cookies. The character of Doris Dear was inspired by DeForest’s mother, who passed away a few years ago from Alzheimer’s.

As the new year passed, we got a chance to learn more about the Doris Dear Christmas Special with DeForest–Ms. Doris Dear herself–and a peek into the creative process behind the show. 

Downtown: How do you prepare for your infamous holiday show?

Raymond DeForest: I start thinking about my next show in January after I have had time to relax and come down from the absolute enjoyment I feel from doing my three-night run of “The Doris Dear Christmas Special.” It starts with an idea, usually sparked by a memory of growing up in Staten Island with my family that I then run by my director, Lina Koutrakos. I am usually inspired by a certain moment growing up like when my sister and I would lay on the floor, staring up through the Christmas tree at the lights. Then I start looking at music and songs; I try not to repeat what was done the year before. That’s not easy. It’s a holiday show, and there are some songs like White Christmas that, for me, seems to say “Merry Christmas” better than anything. There is always a balance between giving my audience a nostalgic feeling through songs and stories mixed with more modern takes on the holiday to keep current.

DT: Who were your guests for this year?

RD: This year’s guests were, as one audience member exclaimed to me, “AMAZING!”. Lina Koutrakos, my director, has a permanent spot. She is a bluesy rock gal that does a song like no one I know. “Those Girls” are a girls group that brings a nostalgic, yet modern take on some great songs (“Jing-A-Ling” is an audience favorite). Patrick DeGennaro, my musical director this year, wrote a brand-new song just for us, and it was so wonderful and holiday spirit-filled. Ari Axelrod was a new addition, and he was charming and funny. Not only did he sing a beautiful rendition of “The Nearness of you” but also played the conga and charmed us with his stories of Hanukah. Sean Harkness is another permanent guest in the Rumpus Room. When Sean plays guitar, the audience swoons.

Doris Dear, Ari Axelrod, Those Girls, Lina Koutrakos, Sean Harkness and Steve Count

DT: How long does it take you to rehearse?

RD: I start rehearsing myself around mid-summer. I am constantly writing and refining my material as I rehearse the songs, so the stories and songs feel seamless. I don’t stop that refining until the show closes! The cast comes in about a month before the shows, to work with the musical director, director, and I, going over parts and script.

DT: Do you add new guests each year?

RD: Each year I try to change the talent slightly. About 50% of my audience are repeats, so providing them with new talent is important.

DT: Tell us a little about your piano player and his song, which he performed this year.

RD: My piano player/musical director this year was Patrick DeGennaro. We had worked together on my new solo show, “More Gurl Talk,” that I performed at The Music Theater of CT, NYC, and the historic theater in Fire Island. I wanted him to do something special for the show, so he decided to write something for us. The song, “I Know It’s Christmas” was perfect and Doris Dear was in it!

DT: You have a lot of guests at your show. What do you attribute this to?

RD: This was my fifth year doing the show. The shows sell well and attract an audience that is not the usual “cabaret” audience. It has a wider reach, so talented singers and musicians want to be a part of the show. I am very honored that I have that rich talent on my stage. When I sit back on the side of the stage and listen to these artists, I think to myself, “wow, how are you so darn lucky!”

Doris deaar, Lina Koutrakos and Patrick DeGennaro

DT: Where does your talent come from, and when did you know that you were going to be a performer?

RD: My talent comes from the very deep pool of amazing singers and musicians that are here in NYC. These are world-class performers. As I said, I am truly a very lucky girl to have them in my “Rumpus Room.”

I stepped on stage in college and new that very minute that I wanted to do this as my profession. I am honored to say I have been a full time working actor/singer for 42 years!

DT: What can we expect next from your work?

RD: I am always looking for ways to bring my message of family and love to a wider audience. At 61 years of age, I only do the work that is authentic and real for me. If I am not going to enjoy the work, I turn it down. The character of Doris Dear has opened up a whole new way of storytelling and performing for me. I am in talks with a major studio about bringing Doris Dear to a wide TV audience as well as bringing my shows to Universities and also teach students about the “art” of character development and storytelling. It’s very exciting for me to share my experience of the past 42 years in the business.

I also work on several committees with the SAG-AFTRA union and can help new actors coming into the business with maneuvering the real world. We live in such a strange world right now. There is so much hate coming from so many places. When my audience walks into my “Rumpus Room,” I want that feeling of a tough world left outside. I want my space to be one where all people can come and have a good time. As one reviewer from your magazine said…“ … I LEFT THE PLAY WITH A SMILE FROM EAR TO EAR AND THAT WARM AND FUZZY FEELING OF A LIFE FAR LESS COMPLICATED THAN THE FAST-PACED ONE OF TODAY. THANK YOU, DEAR DORIS!” – DOWNTOWN MAGAZINE

DT: Every year your show gets us ready for the holidays, and now you are hitting an even younger generation, who know nothing about the 1950s/60s. Does this lack of direct connection and experience worry you?

RD: It doesn’t “worry” me as much as it keeps me aware of what I am writing. I try hard to reference nostalgia without being so “old fashioned” that I lose anyone under 50 years of age!! LOL. This year I had several children come to many of my shows. Many stopped by after the show to tell me how much they loved it and especially the character of Doris Dear. As one beautiful girl said to me …” You are the aunt I always dreamed of having”. That’s the best compliment I could get. So, I guess that makes Doris not only the “Perfect American Housewife” but also the “The perfect crazy aunt”!!!

See More

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Revisiting the Past At The McKittrick World’s Fair

Giada Valenti Returns to New York, Love Under The Christmas Tree

IIDA NY’s Annual Color Invasion Event Was a Master Class in Imagination

Categories
Culture Featured Movies

Oliver Trevena Takes The Plunge Back into Cinema

Oliver Trevena Takes The Plunge Back into Cinema

Photo credit Josh Beech

Oliver Trevena is a British actor and longtime host of the interview show Young Hollywood. In the two years after leaving the show, he has been part of more than a half dozen projects, two of which have already been released. In 2018, he had a role in Ariel Vromen’s The Angel. The Rising Hawk, a joint US-Ukrainian film, opened in Ukraine in October. A third film, Grand Isle, will hit theaters in December. 

Downtown Magazine: So how did your work with Young Hollywood get started?

Oliver Trevena: Kind of just a chance thing, really. I grew up in entertainment. I was in ballet and theater for 12 years. Um, and when I came to the States, I obviously found a lot of theater and acting and trained abroad. And when I came to America, hosting was never something that I thought I’d do. I’ve seen presenters–we call them presenters in London–but never really considered it at all. 

And on a chance night out, I was actually hosting a friend of mine’s birthday and we were doing karaoke and I ended up hosting the karaoke, I guess. I thought I’d be like, “Oh, next up we’ve got this…” You know, just for fun. And someone in the audience was the founder of Young Hollywood and he said, “Oh, you’re a great host.” And I actually had no idea what he meant. “He’s like, do you want to do some work for us?” And that lasted nine years. 

DT: So, What changed?

OT: I think in the last year or so I just made a conscious decision. I was missing my acting. It’s tough when you go to meet some incredible people and it’s amazing to sit with some of the people that I look up to as actors, but also I’m constantly talking to them about what they’re doing and this work. I was getting the itch again. Yeah. So it was time to kind of pullback. Uh, yeah, like last may–may of 2018–I let the contracts end that I was stuck in and I said, I want to take a gamble and get back into my acting. 

DM: What sorts of things that you learned interviewing all of those actors?

OT: It was great doing the interviews because a lot of the people that I’m now working with on set, I’ve been interviewed or I’ve met before. That’s great. I also go into some of these jobs and people would say, “you nervous? You’ve got to be acting on the side of…whomever.” I don’t have any of that because I’ve spent so many years around them. 

Also, just like realizing that the most memorable people are the people that are really just themselves. I mean I’ve done thousands of interviews. I understand why people obviously have guards up and stuff like that, but when you sit with someone and they’re just themselves, it’s an easier way to connect. It could be crazy. They could be quiet, or they could be funny, as long as it’s who they are. 

I guess what I learned is to just be myself and be comfortable with it. Um, yeah. Embrace all the craziness, you know, embrace the good, the bad, the ugly. It’s been good–and weird. It’s like I’m now 38 years old and it’s just been an amazing time in the last year. I feel like I’m in my early twenties, again, with an excitement for life and the lessons I’ve learned on the way.

Oliver Trevena

DM: You play one of the villains in Neil Marshall’s The Reckoning. How does it feel playing like that bad of a bad guy?

OT: I love it. I think that’s what I really miss about acting. I spent so long, the hosting world was great cause I got to be me. Which is fun. But I think that’s why it got a bit repetitive cause I was just being me–someone that loves to perform and create to just be someone else in moments. Acting is what I really miss. So it’s been nice because every role is just so, so different from real life.

DM: So you have a film coming out in October, The Rising Hawk. 

OT: It’s a 13th century kind of pre-Ghengis Khan film. Everyone in Ukraine has this book. It’s like the equivalent of Romeo and Juliet. It’s like their, their story, which is called Zakhar Berkut. They basically made it into a movie as a U S Ukraine kinda co-production. I play Bohun. Who’s this kind of Irish killing machine.

DT: I’ve heard people describe that the only difference between a dance number and a fight scene is the number of swords. Did you feel like that a lot of that on the set?

OT: It may shock a lot of people, but I was in ballet, modern and tap for 12 years. Um, and it definitely helps because it is a sequence, you know, it’s all memory. Everything is a dance routine with a sword. I will say I found it extremely difficult, at first. I didn’t grow up, playing with the whole sword thing wasn’t kind of part of my upbringing. I just played football, soccer, that was it. So a lot of the other cast members that had been in previous movies or had some sort of experience. So for me, it was completely new.

DM: So are you going to be trying anything else new?

OT: I’ve started to project produce, which a lot of friends are telling me I was doing anyway.

DT: How so?

OT: I always help friends out. They’d be like, “Oh, can you read the script? We need suggestions,” and I’ll be like, “Oh, I just interviewed this actor or he’s great or she’s great and I’ll put them in touch and it would go that way.” So was kind of similar to what I’m doing now, but we raise some financing and we’re funding a few projects and I’m really enjoying that side of things as well.

DT: And then what’s next in the acting department?

OT: Right now there are a couple of movies that I’m attached to. I’m just waiting for them to be greenlit and then we’ll move forward on them. One called Misdirection. It’s a great script for a thriller. The others, you know, it’s just a bit of a waiting game between projects. I’ve been very lucky to do so much in the last 14 months. So a bit of downtime right now is okay, but I could be on a plane next week. That’s the nature of it.

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Categories
Business Featured NYC Real Estate

Living High in Lower Manhattan with Kim Rose

Living High in Lower Manhattan with Kim Rose

Kim Rose is a real estate agent at Compass and has resided in Manhattan for 25 years. She has earned a solid reputation as a genuine and enthusiastic partner, uniformly praised for her sales savvy and negotiating skills, as well as her finely honed knowledge of the real estate market. In her spare time, Kim enjoys spending time with her family and travel. 

Downtown: How long have you been a broker? 

Kim Rose: I have been selling real estate for approximately 5 years. Prior to this, I was involved in the real estate industry in a different capacity, working with a large developer.  

DT: What drew you into this industry? 

KR: Real estate in New York City is unlike anything else. I grew up in Connecticut and spent a lot of time coming into the city and watching the landscape of Manhattan change over time. I often thought about the buildings and who lived in them, and I always wanted to be a part of it. 

DT: What do you love best about your job? 

KR: I love meeting all of the different people. Buying or selling a home is a very personal and emotional experience. You spend a lot of time with your clients and really get to know them. I have made a lot of great friends through this experience.

DT: What is your favorite time off activity, hobby, or favorite place to chill downtown? 

KR: My favorite place to unwind with friends and meet for drinks is The Four Seasons downtown. It has the best vibe. For a great meal, I still love going to Raoul’s.  

DT: Name someone who inspires you and why? 

KR: My children inspire me every day. As adults, we sometimes forget the little things in life that are important and I love that they make me take stock of that. Through the lessons that we teach them, I am constantly reminded to be fearless, treat others with respect, and most importantly, to have fun.    

Kim Rose

DT: What gives you joy? 

KR: Professionally, it gives me joy when a buyer finally finds their home. It is a journey and to be included in that is very special. Personally, I find joy spending time with my family and friends…especially in the summer months.

DT: Why buy downtown? 

KR: Right now it is a buyer’s market and there are so many opportunities to take advantage of. Low mortgage rates, quality inventory, and pricing afford buyers an opportunity to purchase in locations/markets that they were previously priced out of. For example, I have a beautiful loft available in Tribeca at 55 Hudson Street that would have been on the market for a substantially higher price a few years ago. A buyer came to my open house last week and told me he was so excited about the listing because he is finally previewing Tribeca properties, something that he and his family never thought would be possible a few years ago.

Click here to learn more about Kim Rose and see her listings.

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