Aspiring actor and Castleton graduate Ken Holmes '09 (pictured above with actor Wyatt Russell), recently took his talents to Park City, Utah for the annual Sundance Film Festival, where he was a featured actor in two highlighted films.
The accomplished young alumnus spent a week at the festival where he attended sold out showings of the two films and capitalized on countless networking opportunities.
“The experience was surreal,” said Holmes, who earned his Theater Arts degree while at Castleton.
The Sundance Film Festival is one the largest independent film festivals in the United States. The festival is a showcase for new work from American and international independent filmmakers, highlighting both feature-length and short films.
Holmes was accompanied to the festival by his father, Castleton English Professor Burnham Holmes, an author and playwright.
“I’ve always wanted to go since I started acting,” said Holmes, “I never would have thought that I would be watching my first movie at Sundance, and I would be in it.”
Holmes was featured in the dark comedy Hits, where he was cast to play a hipster. Directed by Davis Cross, the film explores the nature of fame in the 21st Century YouTube America.
Holmes also showcased his acting abilities in the feature-length thriller Cold in July, playing the role of a low-life burglar. During filming he acted alongside co-star Michael C. Hall from the hit television show Dexter. The film was later nominated for the Grand Just Prize at the festival.
The former Spartan says the skill set he acquired at Castleton helped him prepare to further pursue his acting career. His upcoming plans include obtaining representation through an agent, as well as trying his hand at writing a short film.
“I’ve done theatre all my life,” said Holmes, adding that since the age of 12 he has been participating in local shows and school plays. “I look forward to what’s ahead.”