Boris Kolenkhov, the Russian Ballet teacher. Did you know I could dance?

As you may have surmised, Show Business has many difficult challenges and obstacles to overcome; I'm proud and blessed to have had the many opportunities I've been given. To have "tread the boards" with so many talented celebrities, has provided a lifetime of learning; not to mention, how much I've learned personally and professionally from my cohorts, in all the various productions we've done. 

While writing poetry, screenplays or my novel, "ALEXANDER: Journey Into Light", I have also been able to tap the imagination passed on to me from my  late, incredible parents. 

My novel and career  are  dedicated to them for their unconditional love and support. There are Endowment Scholarships in each of their names  at Baylor University. There is a third Endowment Scholarship, since passing of my opera singer/teacher/ brother, John Mack Ousley---a dynamic personality and singer; a truly exceptional man.  It is with regret and joy that he is welcomed into the loving arms of our parents.

And now, a fourth Ousley Endowment Scholarship, in my name, for Baylor students studying Theatre Arts. As a family, we have always believed in helping develop the talents of the future.
                 
 My Mom and Dad, Dr. and Mrs. J.W. Ousley;  John Mack Ousley, my brother; And our final family portrait, in this life.

Family means so much in such a business as this! Some people are not so lucky, and "Feeling needed, makes feeling unloved, less painful."  So remember, if you can, to make someone feel needed.  

Friends are also important as we venture through this life. Here are a just few that remain special to me:

                             
Dorothy Loudon in SHOWBOAT           Emmy Winner Doris Frankel,            Don Perkins and agent, Beverly Anderson in 1776 
                                                                  and award winning playwrigtht 

                       
 Michael C. Hall from SIX FEET UNDER     Eddie Korbich and Joel Higgins                       After an Australian opening, CAMELOT staring
 and lately, DEXTER                                   preparing for FIELDS OF AMBROSIA                  Richard Harris

                                                
Leanne Serrano and Scott Beck            Uncle Pumblechook, GREAT EXPECTATIONS              Baptista with Billy Brassea
in our living room.                                 with rock singer, Louis Trent                                          from Broadway's KISS ME KATE
 
SHOWBOAT  National with Eddie Korbich             Brian Stokes Mitchell and myself in Broadway's KISS ME KATE

So back to business...
Here are some more photos, like I promised. These are from a recent production of CANDIDE by The New York City Opera. I made my opera debut in WILLIE STARK with the Houston Grand Opera at the Kennedy Center and later that production was filmed in Houston for PBS distribution.

               The Pasha                                                                    The Grand Inquisitor                                              The Baron      
  
The New York City Opera, at Lincoln Center: Three of my characters from CANDIDE; and I reprised these roles  in their  2008 production.  Below is a backstage pose of the Grand Inquisitor from this latest production, and a photo of several of us with Hal Prince--producer, director and winner of 21 Tonys. My good fortune has brought me under his guidance in SWEENEY TODD, opera WILLIE STARK, SHOWBOAT and CANDIDE.

   
The Grand Inquisitor               Hal Prince, Robert Ousley, Lauren Worsham, Arthur Massella

        
    Subtle entrance as the Ghost of Christmas Present,    We villianous Knights with Mordred in CAMELOT.
     in CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Denver Center              I'm standing upstage center. Where else?

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