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

As you have surmised, Show Business has so many 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.

In writing poetry and my novel, "ALEXANDER: Journey Into Light", I've also been able to utilize the imagination passed on to me from my incredible, late parents. My novel and my career are dedicated to them for their unconditional love and support. There are Endowment Scholarships in each of their honors at Baylor University. And now, a third Endowment Scholarship, since  the recent passing of my opera singer/teacher brother, John Mack Ousley: a dynamic personality and singer; a truly exceptional teacher.  It is with regret and joy that he is welcomed into the loving arms of our parents.

                   
 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! Always remember that 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 so 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
                                  

 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 for PBS distribution.

               The Pasha                                                          The Grand Inquisitor                                              The Baron      
  
New York City Opera: Three of my characters from CANDIDE; and I reprised these roles  in the  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, 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?

                                                                             Go to next page...
                                                                             ...Back one page