Ricky Schroeder: Naked Boy Singing!

'Wherever I end up, as long as I'm performing, whether it be on Broadway as a perpetual chorus boy or as a leading male, in Regional Theatre, as a dancer, as a recording artist, on tv, in the movies, as a backup dancer; as long as I'm performing I'll be happy. I'm just going to keep on searching out and take whatever comes my way. We'll see where life takes me.'
Ricky Schroeder


2 images above by John Loring

When I first profiled actor, singer and dancer Ricky Schroeder in 2010, he had only been in New York for about a year, was attending NYU and planting the seeds for a future performing on the stages of NY. In that feature, (The First Time) Ricky discussed the many firsts on the road to fulfilling his dreams.

Below: Icons

Cut to 2012, Ricky has taken leave of absence from school, spent the last year auditioning, concentrating on voice lessons and dance classes and spending most nights not working on those dreams, but living them on stage. First in Icons, and last week, began previews at The Kirk Theatre at Manhattan’s Theatre Row for the new production of Naked Boys Singing.



'Icons is actually an interesting story. I went in to audition for the Provincetown version of Naked Boys and after I sang and then sang naked, the producers then asked me to come dance later because they had 'ideas about me'. After I had danced they offered me the lead drag queen role in Icons, which I politely declined. Drag wasn't something that I was interested in at all, but after they kept calling and calling and I realized how much money I was being offered I accepted the role and I'm so glad I did. Had a summer I'll never forget. We were literally rockstars in that town and people just went crazy over the show. I had to learn how to dance in heels and do drag makeup. Skills that are actually quite useful now with shows like Priscilla, La Cage, and the upcoming Kinky Boots. Starting in June and then ran until Oct. in Ptown. Then we transferred it off Broadway (my first off Broadway show!) and Althogh they offered me the lead in NYC as well, I declined because I didn't want to start getting known for doing drag In NYC so I became a backup dancer and understudy.'

Below: With Icons co-star Alex Ringler

On How Naked came about:

'Naked Boys came about because my producer who did Naked Boys and Icons in Provincetown took over the franchise in NYC after the most recent production closed. So after auditioning for them, I landed the gig! Our first preview was this week and our official opening is April 5th.'

Below: Ricky & the cast of Naked Boys Singing

On getting Naked on stage:

'I'm not as nervous about the nudity as I thought I'd be. I'm pretty much almost naked in every production I do, so this just seems like the most natural next step in my progression. Plus, as far as showing my dick goes, half the world's got one and the other half has most likely seen one, so it's not really a big deal.'



On whether his family is coming to NBS:

'My family is amazingly supportive and I would not be where I am today without them and their support. I don't think, however, that they will be coming to see this production. Which I'm fine with. I don't need them to see me naked. They're my family. I don't want to ruin the innocent image they have of me. I'll record the audio and send it to them. It makes both parties just a little bit uncomfortable.'



Check out stories of the new production of Naked Boys Singing at Out & Broadway.com



Naked Boys Singing On Facebook

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Red-Handed: Jesse Hutch in Once Upon A Time

'The better to eat you with'.
The Brothers Grimm



Fairy Tales are all the rage on television and on film these days but I had yet to run into the forest until this past Sunday's episode, Red-Handed of Once Upon A Time. I enjoyed the shows pilot, then watched sporadically until this week. This weeks episode, which delved into Red Ridinghood's back story was my favorite outing of the series thus far.



Sadly, the show repeated again it's pattern of killing off (usually savagely) it's hottest of hunks! I was instantly taken with Peter, actor Jesse Hutch who paid dearly for loving, and trusting in Red.



The Canadian born Hutch looked familiar, but I could not quite place him until I hit IMDB. There I saw his credits, and like most young Canadian actors, Hutch spent a fair amount of time on US shows filmed in Canada Kyle XY, Smallville and The 4400) and many horror flicks (Freddy & Jason) which for financial reasons, often get shot north of the border.



Jesse Hutch: One To Watch!

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Ten From Tell

'I never saw myself being a model. I was always the class clown and a goofball. I thought if anything I would be a comedian or a comedic writer. When people asked me to model for them or their company it shocked me.'
Tell Perry

Tell Perry knows he may not be an obvious choice to be a male model. No bulging muscles or perfectly defined jaw line. What Tell does have that shines through each photo is his incredible smile and infectious personality which draw people to him.
The Indiana model is a performer and strives for perfection in anything takes on. This is not just in modeling, but athletics, running cross country or playing soccer through dancing and singing, Tell gives his all to each and every performance



Given the Tell is just starting out in the business I thought it would be interesting to find a bit out about his perceptions of his experiences so far.

Q-Tell me about the first time you stepped in front of a camera professionally.

The first time I stepped in front of a camera professionally was for a little photography company my Senior year of high school. I had absolutely no confidence until the photographer, Casi Leisure, began to cry and get excited over the quality of the photos. It was an amazing feeling, to see a professional get so excited over work that involved me.



Q-Do you see modeling as a career or as part of the big picture of where you’re going?

I could see modeling as a career for sure. It's the end result I love the most. The clothes, the compliments, and the locations are fun, but the end results of both the photographer and the model are always rewarding.

Q-You’re also a performer, how much does performing play a role within your modeling?

Performing plays a huge part in shooting. It helps with feeling comfortable. You're asked to show emotions you don't exactly feel at the time. Performing in front of thousands is overwhelming, performing in front of a single person is a lot more intimate.



Q-Model Mayhem is a great way to connect with others in the industry. What is the most interesting request you have had since joining the site?

Model Mayhem is so addicting and fun. I meet such interesting people on there along with very interesting requests...the most interesting one has been a photographer asking to shoot photos of me in complete clown attire. I had to refuse cause the weekend conflict...had It worked out, I would have done it in a heartbeat...it sounded so intriguing.

Q-What is the oddest request?

The oddest request I was given was to take photos mourning over graves in a graveyard. I had to decline. Out of respect for others I didn't want to mourn the life of someone I didn't know.



Q-What factors went into deciding whether or not to shoot nude?

I always look at the photographers past work before deciding to take my clothes off or not. There is a clear line between beautiful nudity even erotic photos and porn. There are some photographers who tasteful do nudity, and other photographers who will you get you naked for their own sexual interest, which is apparent in some of their photos.



Q-How did you feel during your first nude shoot?

My first nude I was nervous, but the photographer, Scott Barnes, was SO amazing and was completely professional. He was a great mentor and I look back now and couldn't be more happy that the first photographer I did nudity with was him. He is an amazing artist.


All images above by DSquared Photography

Q-Is there a model whose work you especially admire?

Oddly enough... I admire Alex Pettyfer, he is well known for his roles in movies like Beastly and I Am Number Four, but his photo work is amazing. He is so handsome and so engaging, it's easy to get jealous of him.


Below: Tell by Scott Barnes


Q-What photographer would you most like to work with?

There are so many photographers I would love to work for. Paul Reitz being one! I had plans to work with him in November/December but unfortunately school got in the way.



Q-What would be your fantasy dream shoot?

My fantasy dream shoot would be a male version of fairy tales. Two men playing fairy tale couples like 'Cinderella and Prince Charming' or 'Sleeping Beauty and Prince Charming'. Two men, no dresses. I think that would be so fun.


Tell Perry on ModelMayhem
Tell Perry's blog

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Hawaii via Australia: David Does Donkey Beach!

If your a member of JustADream you are undoubtedly familiar with one of it's most popular posters David Asset. David has also been a frequent contributor to FH, chronicling and sharing many of the videos I use each year from the solo strips which precede the annual Broadway Bares show.



Early in October David entered a self-portrait competition over at one of my favorite places to visit each day Aussielicious. The site, as many of know, is run by the photographer Brenton Parry and is a welcoming site that I have enjoyed frequenting for a few years now. David's beautiful window shot brought him not only third place but his own feature on the site the following month.



In his Aussielicious feature, the former television executive and ACE-certified Aerobics Master Presenter shared his love of the Islands and his time, usually naked, on the their many beaches. In the shots below, David had just competed in an Aerobics Marathon in NYC and headed to Hawaii shortly afterwards for a holiday to relax and chill out.



'I love the freedom of a nude beach, emerging from the waters just as unencumbered as the day on which you were born. What's great about both Donkey Beach and Little Beach is that they are both visited by an eclectic bunch of people: tourists on holiday who want to be daring, locals who simply want to lay back at the end of the day, surfers out to tame the wild waves and families with children unashamed of their nakedness, gays and straights out for a day of camaraderie and fortunately very few gawkers.'



'Donkey Beach on Kauai is unfortunately becoming more gentrified and its status as a nude beach is being threatened by the development of multimillion dollar cooperative apartments nearby and I fear it will soon be off-limits to nudists. Little Beach on the other hand sits high above the Cliffs and requires a long, somewhat difficult journey over sand and rocks so will probably remain a nude for years to come.'



David Asset is an aspiring videographer and purveyor of vintage movie posters currently living in both New York City and Rancho Mirage, California. Thanks David for sharing your time in Hawaii, and your pics with FH!

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Spend 2012 with Jack Mackenroth

Above: Jack by Ray John-Pila

The incredible Jack Mackenroth present his 2012 AUTOGRAPHED, high-quality, 15 month calendar, now available, just in time for the holidays!

Each month a different photographer, include Adam Bouska (NOH8), Rick Day, Carsten Fleck, Frank Louis, James Franklin, Karl Giant, Tommy Synnamon, Mattheus Lian, Richard Gerst, Ray John Pila, Sonny Tong, Thomas Evans, Krys Fox and Preston Cros provide an amazing image of Jack which run through May of 2013!

Below: Jack by Carsten Fleck

100-percent of the proceeds from the calendar will go directly to amfAR, The American Foundation for AIDS Research (www.amfar.org) to help find a cure for AIDS. Mackenroth has been living with the disease for 22 years.

Below: Jack by Richard Gerst

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The Elements of Freedom: Skyclad Modeling

Freedom:
gazing across a misty sea
naked flesh upon naked rock...
sun warmed... wind cooled...
stripped of society's constraints
nudity is my freedom
awakening my senses to this natural world
Steve Loxley

Below: Steve by Mike Herring

With the beginning of Model Search 2012 I could not think of a better day to feature the extraordinary work of Steve Loxley from skyclad modeling. My goal on FH has always been to feature both established and successful artists alongside new talent and artists who do not get the attention they so deserve on more mainstream sites and blog. I love when models and photographers send me their work to feature, but whenever I see undisclosed recipients, I am sometimes a bit disappointed for a creative blogger, the comes from finding, writing and sharing material that is not seen elsewhere.



Whenever I post shots by an artist or of a model who does not fit the general look of the current guys gracing the covers of major gay and fitness magazines, I get comments and emails critical of their looks and about how they won't make it in the industry. I am curious what people think that 'industry' actually is. Yeah, there are tons of HOT guys (many I love to feature) shooting in New York or other major fashion cities with the top fitness and fashion photographers. Doing campaigns and spreads for magazines and online sites. Often these models are students, and most have to work several jobs to supplement their incomes in order to survive. Success can be measured in many ways but I don't think one can argue that someone who does what he loves, and, since the early 80's, has made his living primarily from modeling is pretty darned successful.



Steve Loxley's began modeling in 1984 when naturalist photographer Mike Herring (second shot above) developed some of Steve's holiday photos and contacted him about hiring the model in the shots. Since most of the shots were self portraits Steve had taken, or shots of him taken by his wife, he was flattered to find out the model Mike was referring to was in fact him.



'After several successful photographic sessions with Mike, both on location and in his studio, I decided that an alternative career might be beckoning me.'


Except for the shot by Mike Herring, all the beautiful shots above are self portraits done by Steve.

Mike was the first photographer I ever modelled for, in fact we have been friends ever since, and have some great memories of travelling and working together throughout France for three summers. When people ask me if it's really glamorous being a photo model I usually tell them the story of when I was working for Mike at a French Nudist club we were making a promotional video for. We had to show all the facilities so Mike thought it appropriate that I was always in the shot, especially for the shower shots (as they were very proud of their new shower/toilet block!) Unfortunately they only had cold showers and we had to retake about three or four times until Mike was satisfied.... I have to say that I was glad it was a very hot, sunny day as the showers were freezing!

Below: Image from Christa Graham.


The shot from Mike Herring shown above was from a naturist hotel in South West England, and we had earlier that day been shooting in the outdoor swimming pool which was probably more freezing than the showers had been! I remember that I even had to rescue a few frogs out of the pool and chased Mike around the pool with them in a net! I still have all the photos I have ever done with Mike, some particularly poignant ones of me and my ex wife, which were beautiful black and white art studies.

Below: Steve shot by Susan Bonor at a class at Langara College.


The Pagan Path:

There were so many things I wanted to focus on with Steve (you know that working as a nude model for art classes must be filled with many funny and great stories...)'

'Being nude in front of one person isn't too daunting, the reality of being nude in front of a dozen or more was a different proposition!'

The Pagan Path section of his website really peaked my interest. Like many of you I'm sure, when I first read the word Pagan on Steve's page I almost clicked off as for some reason I had always connected pagan with Devil worship. I or course, could not have been more wrong. Pagans do not believe in the Devil. In a nutshell Pagans believe that everything has a soul or spirit, not just humans which has been a long held traditional Christian belief. (which seems though in some sections to be changing)

Two shots below by Alma Luz



Skyclad in fact, is in Pagan term used for ritual nudity. On his site, Steve says that for most Pagans, nudity, or going skyclad, is a preferable state in which to invoke the deities of nature. Ritual nudity is not a new concept and has been practiced in many ancient religions and in fact is still practiced today by many in remote areas of the world.

Next three shot from Gilles Champagne

Last fall, when Vancouver was blessed with an Indian summer, Steve, along with fellow Pagan Gilles Champagne, ventured off to an untamed part of Vancouver to photograph the male nude within nature. Steve says their aim was to show both the strength and vulnerability of the naked male body in harmony with the four Sacred Elements of the Pagan belief, Air, Earth (represented by sand, stone and trees), Water and Fire (represented by the Sun).



'We shot the photos at the almost named Acadia Beach, a well known but little used nudist beach, adjacent to the more famous and heavily populated Wreck Beach. There were plenty of opportunities for me to drape my naked body over large, smooth rocks and fallen trees, as well as entwine myself around living trees which at hide tide grow right by the edge of the waves.'



Check out more of this beautiful, fascinating and successful model on Model Mayhem HERE: & on his portfolio site HERE:

Last two shots by Steve Loxley

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