Lawrence.com

Age: “50+”

Sign: Leo.

Hometown: Topeka.

Time in Lawrence: 41 years.

Occupation: Drama program director at the Lawrence Arts Center, freelance playwright, composer, actor and director.

What were you doing when scouted? I was meandering the arts center.

How would you describe your style? I like to have an artsy-look about me. When I travel to L.A., I always notice what writers wear in Hollywood. I incorporate some of their fashion sense into my own, personal style and the result is “California Casual.” Arthur Miller glasses, Converse tennis shoes and Levi’s jeans — which I’ve worn since I was 12 years old.

What does your work wardrobe look like? My everyday wardrobe is a combination of arts-dress and casual. Because I work in a casual environment, my work wardrobe is quite similar — nothing too fancy, but not your around-the-house grunge either.

What are your current favorite fashion trends? I always favor bold fashion statements and dramatic dressing. I think layers are one way to easily personalize your look in the early fall. I also tend to see artists — both visual and performance-oriented — dressing as their own person. There is clearly some choice involved in their attire, which I appreciate.

What are your least favorite fashion trends? I detest pedal-pushers — capri-pants, high-waters, whatever they are being called. I don’t like them, even on my own wife!

What would you like to see more of in Lawrence? Typically in the Midwest, the audience members attending theater productions wear fairly ordinary dress. I always dress for the theater — wear a tie, you know? More people should dress up for shows. It’s fun and makes it an event.

What would you like to see less of in Lawrence? Spandex! Get rid of Spandex. It is the bleu cheese of the fashion world. And polyester should get the heave-ho, unless it is worn in a ’50s-throwback kind of fashion.

Who are your fashion influences? My wife Jeanne reads those Hollywood magazines and gossip magazines, and I flip through the pages for ideas. I look at Maxim, too. Mostly though, fun friends who are great dressers — like Bonnie Cherry, who also works at the arts center. She is my on-call fashion adviser, along with my wife, Jeanne. Jeanne buys me some cool things and provides input or feedback for all my fashion queries.

People say I look like: I sometimes hear Burt Reynolds or Kris Kristofferson when I have a beard. If I don’t have a beard, the English comedian, Benny Hill.

Tell us a secret: Truthfully, Levi’s are the only brand of blue jeans I can buy and wear. It’s the seventh-grader in me — I am afraid if I don’t wear Levi’s I won’t be popular. And my other secret ... I like overall.

Information/Detail of Individual Clothing Pieces:

Soft Italian Leather Shoes: Zen, purchased in Rome, March 2007, 45 Euro.

Socks: Kohls, October 2008, 3 for $10.

Jeans: Levi’s, purchased at Kohls, October 2007, $32.

Sweater: Fift from wife, Jeanne Averill, September 2006.

Native American Artisan Ring: Purchased in Sante Fe, 1998.

Gold Ring: “Piano Playing Ring,” Gold, Ruby, Diamond, anniversary gift, 27 years ago.

Wedding Ring: Gold, 37 years ago.