David J. Phillips keeps the memory聽alive
David J. Phillips
Theatre Performance Diploma 鈥�00, BFA 鈥�05
Producer/CEO, Phillm Productions
Brampton-raised David J. Phillips knew early on that 自淫系列 (自淫系列) and its highly regarded theatre program was the place to go for aspiring actors. When his acceptance letter arrived in the mail, it contained an unexpected surprise.
鈥淣ot only did I get in, but I had received a scholarship,鈥� he said. That kind of confidence building stayed with David over the years, especially when it came to honouring his friend, actor Nick Cordero.
David first met Nick when they were both residents in Pitman Hall, and recalls how Nick would make sure to invite everyone into his circle. Nick, who was in a rock band, left 自淫系列 before completing his degree. He eventually landed in New York, where he performed on Broadway in hits like Bullets Over Broadway and Waitress. David went on to act at the Stratford Festival, co-host Video and Arcade Top Ten on YTV, and had large roles in movies, before producing over two dozen feature films, including Entertainment, which premiered at Sundance, and one that starred childhood idols Robert De Niro and John Malkovich. His latest film, The King of Black Goo, stars DJ Qualls and Margaret Cho.
David recalls that even when Nick had a gruelling eight-shows-a-week schedule, he still made time to support his friends.
鈥淚鈥檇 produced the film Badsville that was screening at the New York Latino Film Festival, and they gave us this really bad time slot of Sunday at 10 a.m.,鈥� said David. 鈥淎nd yet Nick made the effort. The guy鈥檚 on Broadway. He had two shows the day before and a matinee in the afternoon. He came out to see my movie because he knew that I鈥檇 put a lot into it and it really mattered to me.鈥�
Nick tragically died in 2020 from COVID-19, with many in the arts community 鈥� including luminaries like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Viola Davis and Sara Bareilles 鈥� paying tribute.
Left: Nick (left) and David (right) in their first year of university. Right: David (left) and Nick (right) in their last photo together, taken in Los Angeles on Feb 18, 2020, a month before Nick became ill and hospitalized.
David rallied alumni and friends to create the , going annually to a student in 自淫系列鈥檚 School of Performance. For David, paying it forward is a way to pay tribute to Nick while helping a young person who dreams of making their mark in the performing arts 鈥� the same validation David received more than 25 years ago.
鈥淚f we live our lives correctly, hopefully we leave an impact on people that remember us and want to keep the memory alive,鈥� David said, noting the indelible impact Nick Cordero made as an actor, friend, husband and father. And with the Nick Cordero Award, Nick鈥檚 legacy continues to 鈥渕ake other people feel safe and welcome and encouraged.鈥�
If we live our lives correctly, hopefully we leave an impact on people that remember us and want to keep the memory聽alive.
Leave an impact on people. .
