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The Dartmouth
March 28, 2024 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Clark Moore '13 will appear on tomorrow's ‘Glee'

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From the Dartmouth classroom to "The Sing-Off" stage and now to a Hollywood set, Moore makes his debut on the popular show as a new recurring character who is a member of the Adam's Apples, a competing glee club at the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts, where Hummel and Berry attend.

Moore a history major modified with art history and a member of the Dartmouth Aires said he has always dreamed of working in entertainment and signed with his first talent manager at the age of seven. After taking various commercial spots and regional theatre roles as a child in his hometown of Atlanta, he decided to prioritize academics in high school. Once at Dartmouth, he followed his interests, but still lacked any specific career focus, he said.

"It felt like I was switching majors every day and I had no idea what I wanted to do," Moore said. "I was very lost, and then thankfully the Aires were asked to do The Sing-Off.'"

Moore spent his sophomore summer in Los Angeles, competing with the Aires in "The Sing-Off" and working at Sony Entertainment. The Aires would eventually come in second place on the nationally-aired NBC a capella competition show.

It was during that exhausting daily schedule that he realized there was no other way he would rather be spending his time, he said. Grateful for the employment, he decided that he would move to LA after Dartmouth, he said.

Moore managed to hustle his way into a meeting for "Glee" as a result of his participation in "The Sing-Off."

"Clarke is a talented guy; he is smart but also very bubbly and stands out," fellow Aires member Chris Gallerani '15 said. "What impresses me most about Clark is his ability to network. He has made connections that have gotten him a part in a TV show."

Network executives at Sony sent him to the office of the show's main casting director, Robert Ulrich. Moore completed the general audition and performed a few songs, but was told that there was no role for him at the time.

While touring with the Aires during winter interim, Moore was preparing to go on stage when he received a phone call from Ulrich's office telling him that he secured a part on the show. He flew out to Los Angeles two days later to begin filming.

Upon meeting Clark, Moore's faculty advisor art history professor Marlene Heck's first impression was that he "was born to perform," she said.

"Just by virtue of his personality and his gestures, the way he carried himself, there was a performer inside there."

Moore is currently spending his winter in Los Angeles filming his recurring role on "Glee."

"The success of my character depends on audience feedback," he said. "So, if people like our group and the way that the storyline is going, we hopefully will see it develop more this half of the season."

While Moore said there were often long filming hours on set, his time on "Glee" has already provided the opportunity to work with talented individuals. Despite the professional environment, he said felt like he walked right into a family.

"What's most striking about the Glee set is that everyone was so warm, welcoming, and supportive," Moore said.

While most of the friends Moore made while working on "Glee" are unknown actors who are new to the show like himself, Moore was also able to work directly with Colfer, he said. Moore said he was excited to ask the actor he deeply admired about his career and how he was able to make "Glee" a platform for his future endeavors.

Moore partly credits his Dartmouth experience with bringing him to where he is today.

"What Dartmouth has taught me is how to weed out the bad and take it at face value, and surround yourself with positivity," he said. "A lot of the administrators recognize that and have been very supportive in helping me navigate the complications that come with being a student and actor at the same time."

While Moore receives plenty of support from the Dartmouth community, he said he admits that he misses being on campus.

"College is so romanticized in American culture and it's sad to be missing part of my senior year, which is supposed to be the best time of my life," he said. "For better or worse, I decided to take the career opportunity and run with it."

Having already completed his major requirements, Moore said he plans to be back at Dartmouth in the spring and will graduate in June.

"It's tough for people who want to pursue the arts, but still get a college degree," Gallerani said. "It's difficult to balance getting training from being in college versus the training of being immersed in the real world. I think Clark has done a really good job of that."

Moore has successfully juggled his career and his performance as a student, according to Heck.

"He has used every moment that he can to further his training and to make the connections that he needs in order to become part of the entertainment business, but he has also been very attentive to his work here at Dartmouth and to his responsibilities as a student," Heck said.

After graduation, Moore plans to work on the independent feature film "I'm Obsessed With You But You've Got To Leave Me Alone" with Genevieve Adams '11. Moore said he is looking forward to filming over the summer with the talented casting and production teams on board.