JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Randolph Sena is a proven professional who has given 'Team Andrews' the benefit of his military and civilian expertise for nearly three decades.
In 2006, then Tech. Sgt. Randolph Sena served as a 89th Wing, NCO in charge of Wing Exercises assigned to the Plans department.
Today, the Air Force veteran of 20 years has ascended to his current title 316 WG chief of exercises, Plans and inspections. In this position, he is the key leader in directing critical real-world training, combat emergency, contingencies and monitoring medical and security exercises for Joint Base Andrews.
One would think with such a successful career Mr. Sena would be content, but shortly after retirement, he became interested in acting after a chance meeting a few local community actors and directors, who asked him to audition.
Since his introduction to the theater two years ago, Mr. Sena has dedicated countless after-hours to pursuing a fever that he never knew existed.
"I derive a great deal of pleasure from acting," said Mr. Sena, clearly bitten by the acting bug. "I enjoy figuring out the character; why would he make this or that movement, etcetera. I constantly try to give my character a little more flesh."
Mr. Sena beckons to the call of the theater not only to quench his thespian aspirations, but to eagerly loan his master carpenter talents to set design and construction.
"I enjoy acting, but I like using my skills as a carpenter to help as a set design consultant," said Mr. Sena, who literally built and designed the set at the Hard Bargin Farm Amphitheater, in Accokeek, Md.
Mr. Sena quickly admits that his time spent honing the challenging artistry parallels his full time job commitment.
"For the amount of hours we put in, it's like a part time job. Sometimes I put in six to seven hours of work in after hours," noted Mr. Sena, who accumulated more than 300 hours leading up to a single production.
Mr. Sena's heart-felt dedication to the art is warmly recognized by his fellow thespians as well as the resident director.
"Randy's grown a lot since last year. He's relatively new to acting, but knows what his limitations are, and he knows how to make adjustments," said Sean Michael Fraser, local community director of 13 years and current director of 'The Diviners.' "His fellow actors have noticed the progression in his work, and he's gaining more skill in his acting."
Mr. Sena has displayed a variety of complex, charismatic and flexible characters from his artistic tool belt during a variety of lively community plays with the Port Tobacco Players, in La Plata, Md., and the 'Hard Bargain Players,' in Accokeek, Md.
One Andrews member recently gave glowing reviews on Mr. Sena's performance "Randy invited my wife and I to one of his current plays," said Kermit Kemmerer, Air Force District of Washington, acting division chief of Special Missions Counter Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear.
"We thought he was very good, and it was a good way for us to spend our Friday evening date out," said Kemmerer. "He's a multitalented individual, and we'd definitely go back and see his next play."
Mr. Sena's versatile thespian talents have led to a variety of character roles in the following plays respectively. He played the assistant to Signor Chapuys, in 'The Man for all Seasons,' originally, a Tony Award winning play. Mr. Sena also portrayed a prison guard named Charlie D'Amico, in 'Jesus Hopped the A Train.' Mr. Sena added piquant spice to the husband character, during a skit titled "The Seduction" in 'The Good Doctor.'
Mr. Sena also played a policeman in the 'Drowned Man,' and Basil Bennett, an easy going seasoned farmer in 'The Diviners.' Most recently, he portrayed a stable owner, named Harry Dalton in a steamy production entitled 'Equus,' a play with some mature themes and nudity. Mr. Sena was quick to add his character was wholesome and fully clothed.
"I don't really have preference to the type of characters I play. I tend to just do types of plays like dramas and comedies," said Mr. Sena. "However, I don't do musicals."
When asked where he envisioned himself in the fine arts community ten years from now, he quickly replied, "I will still be doing community-theater and acting as long as I can. It's a large creative outlet for me, and I enjoy keeping community theater alive and well in the community."