THIS IS THE WAY: STAGECRAFT, STUNTS AND FIGHTING ON SCREEN
A presentation, demonstration, and program with Louisville native, Tom O’Connell, known for his stunt double roles as the Heavy Mandalorian and Darth Vader
Thank you to our title sponsor Republic Bank Foundation,
with support from the Speed Art Museum and the WKU Innovation Campus.
For the first time ever, Kentucky to the World presented a dual-location unforgettable event in Louisville (Sept. 25) and Bowling Green, KY (Sept. 27). This exhilarating experience featured live stunts, jaw-dropping demonstrations, audience engagement, and captivating conversations with Tom O'Connell, as part of the Republic Bank Foundation Speaker Series, with support from the Speed Art Museum and the WKU Innovation Campus.
Tom O'Connell, a proud Louisville native, is a renowned stuntman and actor known for his stunt double roles as the Heavy Mandalorian and Darth Vader. His journey is anything but ordinary. A Trinity graduate and originally aiming to be an astronaut or NASA engineer with a computer engineering degree from the University of Alabama Huntsville, Tom’s path took an unexpected turn, leading him from engineering to becoming a prominent figure in film and television.
You might recognize Tom from his thrilling stunts as the Heavy Mandalorian and Darth Vader, where his exceptional skills in on-screen fighting and precision stunts truly shine. With a background in stagecraft, Tom seamlessly transforms into a variety of characters, bringing authenticity and excitement to every performance. Standing tall at 6'4", he is a master sword and katana practitioner, captivating audiences with his precise and dynamic action sequences.
This dynamic show featured live stunt demonstrations, interactive audience participation, and engaging on-stage discussions, delving into the fascinating world of stagecraft, stunts, and on-screen combat.
Images courtesy Tom O’Connell.
The Conversation Hosts
Louisville
Stu Pollard
Filmmaker Stu Pollard has produced 10 films in his home state of Kentucky, including survival thriller RUST CREEK, powerful high school drama AND THEN I GO, and bowling comedy SPLIT. He has produced more movies outside the Bluegrass as well, including the uproarious Jack Quaid & Maya Erskine wedding rom-com PLUS ONE, Syrian refugee documentary THIS IS HOME, and docu-drama FREELAND, starring Krisha Fairchild. Stu has also directed two features: romantic comedy NICE GUYS SLEEP ALONE and suspense drama KEEP YOUR DISTANCE, both set against a vibrant Kentucky backdrop.
Pollard’s production company - Lunacy - has numerous projects in development as well. Among those are WE’RE HAUNTED, a horror comedy about dysfunctional roommates confronting an evil spirit; THE MAN WHO KNEW BELLE STARR, a riveting Western-infused revenge drama; THE TRESTLE, a supernatural thriller revolving around an infamous Kentucky legend; ALAS, BABYLON, a post-apocalyptic survival parable based on the classic novel; and WONDERDOG, a southern comedy based on the novel by Inman Majors.
Also an entrepreneur, Stu has spearheaded a number of other creative endeavors over the years, including the event planning app Reunacy, online educational platform LunacyU, nostalgic web series The 80’s Emporium, and philanthropic non-profit organization Trunacy. In the Spring of 2024, Stu partnered with comedian Jim Gaffigan to create and launch Fathertime Bourbon.
Stu holds holds a BS in business from Georgetown and an MFA in film from USC, is a member of the DGA and PGA, and serves on the boards of the Louisville Film Society, the Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund and GU’s Alumni Board of Regents. He splits his time between LA and Louisville and can frequently be found traveling with his financé Amy and their doxiepoo Nash.
Bowling Green
Andrew Swanson
Andrew is the Co-Owner of Forerunner, a video production company dedicated to telling great stories. With over a decade of experience in the film and TV industry, he has worked on renowned shows such as "Nashville," "Kimberly Simply Southern," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," and "Live at the CMA." He has also produced numerous independent projects, showcasing his unique vision. A highlight of his career was participating in the 2012 Cannes Film Festival with a film showing at the festival. Currently, he serves as both the Co-Owner of Forerunner and the Festival Director of the Sky Arts Film Festival, where he is passionate about discovering new talent and celebrating innovative films.
KENTUCKY TO THE WORLD STUDENT & EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Thanks to the generous support of Kentucky to the World donors, since its beginning eleven years ago, KTW has been thrilled to offer special programming dedicated to local Kentucky students. We are providing a limited number of opportunities at both the Louisville and Bowling Green events to registered schools across the state. We are also proud to announce that, for the first time, the Tom O'Connell program will be available to students at the Gatton Academy for Gifted Studies in Bowling Green, KY. Find out more on Student and Educator Portal.
Event Photos
Louisville, KY - Speed Art Museum - September 25, 2024
Bowling Green, KY - WKU Innovation Campus - September 27, 2024
