Cliff Roles
About Me
I completed my schooling in Croydon, England, studied French, German and Russian in Birmingham, then moved to Cologne, Germany in the mid-Seventies to work first in the building materials trade and then as a sales rep for 3M Do-It-Yourself products. In 1984 I talked my way into a German music-publishing company and became a radio promoter, which served as a stepping-stone for the next 16 years of promoting over 130 of the world's most famous rock and pop stars of the 80's and 90's. Elton John, Celine Dion, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Robert Plant, Lionel Richie, Donna Summer, Def Leppard, Tears For Fears, Dire Straits and Kiss were just a few of the artists I had the privilege of working with as, among other things, Head of Promotion and International Marketing Manager of Mercury Records, Germany. One of my most memorable recollections is standing on the Berlin Wall in 1989 as it was being torn down, then accompanying Pink Floyd's Roger Waters as he put on his legendary rock opus “The Wall” in July 1990 on Berlin's Potsdamer Platz. Around the turn of the millennium I bade the “biz” farewell and became a professional German/English translator, a profession that allowed me to work anywhere in the world.
I had always loved visiting the States, and maintained an on-off love affair with Florida for the next 2 years before eventually arriving in Sarasota in 2001 on my birthday, February 17, while touring Florida on my Harley. I knew the second I saw St. Armand's Circle that I wanted to settle on the Sun Coast. I met my wife Maria shortly afterwards, and moved permanently to Sarasota in December 2002. In 2003 I discovered my love of acting, and have since enjoyed roles in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Bells are Ringing, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Zorba, WillmS, Oliver, The Sound of Music, Murder at Cafe Noir, Got A Minute? Play Festival 2006, 2007 + 2008, Sarasota Actors Workshop, Theatre Odyssey, Always A Part Of Me, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Run For Your Wife, Candide and If The Devil Could Fall In Love at the Players of Sarasota, Venice Theatre, Manatee Players, Golden Apple Dinner Theatre and the Backlot.
A further highlight was in February 2006, when I was asked to be Ringmaster of Circus Sarasota for its 2006 season. And I was pleased and proud to be the Ringmaster for its 2007 10th anniversary season, Celebrating A Decade of Excellence.
Never one to be at a loss for words, I joined WIBQ radio in September 2004 as host of my show Talk of the Sun Coast. From February to December 2007, I broadcast through Sarasota's Community Radio WSLR, and then through March 2009 on local AM station WSRQ. Listeners can now hear “the best guests on radio” here at www.cliffroles.com under Past Guests, or at www.RadioSRQ.com, on my Facebook page or every Sunday live on 1280 AM WTMY (www.wtmy.com) from 12 – 2 pm on Cliff On Sundays!
As well as taking most of the photos of the people that go to make up our community, I also write a monthly feature in Scene Magazine and host its TV show SCENE Up Close, which can be seen bi-weekly on Tuesday evenings from 8 – 8.30 pm on Sarasota's local Channel 21.
I'm a professional photographer, specializing in professional and lifestyle portfolios, head-shots, weddings, family portraits, house pets etc.
I am proud to be the recipient of the Sarasota County Arts Council 2007 Arts Leadership Award for Media. I won Best Suncoast Enthusiast and Best Local Actor in Creative Loafing's Best of 2007 and 2008, and I was voted one of the top three in the category Best Local Actor 2008 and 2009 by the readers of Sarasota Magazine and the Readers' Choice winner in the Sarasota Herald Tribune's Curtain Call 2008 of Best Supporting Actor, Play for my performance as Val in last season's Golden Apple Dinner Theatre production of Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor.
In March 2009 I was voted Best Local Charismatic Actor by the readers of SRQ Magazine in its Best of SRQ Local 2009. I am also very proud to have been voted Best Emcee/Auctioneer 2009 by Scene Magazine!
Resume
RESUME
TV
Currently:
Host, SCENE Magazine's SCENE TV “Up Close”, Channel 21
RADIO
Currently:
Host, Cliff On Sundays, 1280 AM WTMY
Dec 2007 - March 2009
Host, Talk of the Sun Coast on WSRQ
Feb. 2007 - Dec 2007
Host, Talk of the Sun Coast on WSLR
2004 - Feb. 2007
Host, Talk of the Sun Coast on WIBQ
PRINT
2006 - Present
SCENE Magazine, features writer
THEATRE
2008
Little Women, Players of Sarasota
Always A Part Of Me, Lakeland (FTC entry),
Always A Part Of Me, FTC entry, Players of Sarasota / Venice Theatre
Got A Minute? Play Festival 2008, Players of Sarasota
If The Devil Could Fall In Love, Players of Sarasota
Chasing The Horizon, Theatre Odyssey
Candide, Players of Sarasota
Run For Your Wife, Venice Little Theatre
2007
Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Golden Apple Dinner Theatre
Got A Minute? Play Festival 2007, Backlot Theatre
If the devil could fall in love, Players (reading)
ExIsles, Players of Sarasota (reading)
Always A Part Of Me, Backlot Theatre
BUG, Backlot Theatre (reading)
J-Cabaret: Diva LaVoix, Flanzer JCC/YMCA
2006
Blue/Orange, Backlot Theatre (reading)
The Sound of Music, Players of Sarasota
Darwin's Bulldog, Backlot Theatre (reading)
Sarasota Actors Workshop, Backlot Theatre
Got A Minute? Play Festival 2006, Backlot Theatre
Murder at Cafe Noir, Manatee Players
The Pretender, Players of Sarasota (reading)
The Lives of the Saints, Players of Sarasota (reading)
2005
Oliver, Players of Sarasota
WillmS, Players of Sarasota
Darwin's Bulldog, Players of Sarasota (reading)
Circle of Flame, Players of Sarasota (reading)
Zorba, Players of Sarasota
2004
How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Players of Sarasota
The Sound of Music, Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, Sarasota
Bells are Ringing, Golden Apple Dinner Theatre, Sarasota
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Players of Sarasota
MASTER OF CEREMONIES / AUCTIONEER
Ave Maria Academy, Miracle Fest 5
Children First, Soiree By The Sea
MCC Foundation, Evening Under The Stars, Venice Campus, April 2008 and 2009
Ringling Avant Garde, Best of Broadway
PAL Sailor Circus, Anniversary Gala
24th Annual Catholic Charities Ball, The Emerald Ball, Naples, March 2009
Hermitage Artist Retreat, 2nd Beach, Brunch and Bidding Luncheon, March 2009
Asolo Repertory Theatre, Opening Night 50th Anniversary Gala, February 2009
Sarasota Concert Band feat. The Three Divas, February 2009
Artist Series of Sarasota FRIENDS, A Court-A-Fare, February 2009
Boca Grande Woman's Club Annual Gala, Shell We Dance?, January 2009
ARC's 6th Annual Dog's Night Out, Hollywoof, January 2009
20th Annual Catholic Charities Ball, Sarasota, January 2009
11th Annual Circus Sarasota Fundraiser, An Evening of Ageless Delight, January 2009
Marjorie North Retirement Tribute, January 2009
Sarasota International Cricket Club Gala, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008
American Cancer Society, Relay For Life Kick-Off, November 2008
The Ditchfield Family Singers, The Songs America Sings, November 2008
Sarasota County Arts Council 10th Annual Arts Achievement Awards, November 2008
Manatee Players Capital Campaign, Masquerade Ball, October 2008
SMH's Key To The Cure, October 2008
SCAN & MAN's Senior Idol, October 2008
The Red Carpet Event, Hillview Street, October 2008
Second Chance, Last Opportunity, 12th Annual Luncheon, Share The Light, September 2008
Players Theatre, Talent Explosion, August 2008 (Co-Producer, MC)
Animal Rescue Coalition, Feline Flair, June 2008
Economic Development Corporation, E.D. Rocks, June 2008
Gulf Coast Men's Chorus, Broadway, Our Way, May 2008
MCC Foundation, Evening Under The Stars, May 2008
InStride Equine Assisted Therapy, Run For The Roses, May 2008
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, The Fast and the Fashionable (Car and Fashion Show), May 2008
Ave Maria Preparatory School, Miracle Fest 2008, April 2008
Temple Emanu-El, Tribute Gala & Dinner Dance for Rabbi Brenner Glickman, April 2008
Sarasota Film Festival, 10th Anniversary Ball, April 2008 (Producer, MC and Auctioneer)
Sarasota Film Festival, Lunch Under The Banyans, April 2008 (Auctioneer)
New College, Pique-nique-sur-la-baie, 25th Annual Luncheon, April 2008
Asolo Repertory Theatre's 2008 Gala, A Star Is Born, March 2008
Child Protection Center, The Venetian Masked Ball, March 2008
The Wellness Community, Flight of Hope to Ancient Rome, March 2008
Salvation Army, Glitz at the Ritz, March 2008
Women's Resource Center, 2008 Renaissance Luncheon, March 2008
The Hermitage Artists Retreat, Beach, Brunch & Bidding, March 2008
Van Wezel Foundation, 7th Annual Gala with Patti LaBelle, February 2008
Sarasota Chorus of the Keys, Greatest Singers, Greatest Songs, February 2008
All Children's Hospital Guild, Casablanca at the Crosley, February 2008
Jewish Housing Council, A Saxy Affair: Tribute to Mike & Jewel Ash, January 2008
Circus Sarasota Gala Fundraiser, January 2006, January 2007, January 2008
Lakewood Ranch Woman's Club Dinner & Auction, Fire and Ice Holiday Soiree, December 2007
Designing Women Boutique, Fashion Week Kick-Off, December 2007
Mistletoe Ball, New College Ringling Campus, December 2007
American Cancer Society, Relay For Life Kick-Off, November 2007
FPRA Media Relations Seminar, November 2007 (panel moderator)
Sarasota Welcome Club Luncheon & Auction, October 2007
Second Chance, Last Opportunity, 11th Annual Luncheon, Share The Light, September 2007
Bill Blass New York, Cocktails and Couture, The Table, September 2007
Sarasota Ballet Association, Luncheon for Margaret Barbieri, August 2007
Sarasota Chorus of the Keys, How Sweet The Sound, August 2007
Sarasota Ballet Association, Luncheon for Iain Webb, July 2007
Bird Key Yacht Club, Bill Blass NY Fashion Show, June 2007
Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association, White on State, June 2007
Bird Key Yacht Club, The Met Fashion Show, May 2007
Venice Police Department, Awards and Citations Program, May 2007
Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, Clowning Around Town Auction and Gala, May 2007
New Gate School, Run For The Roses, May 2007
Bay Haven School, Spring Auction Dinner, May 2007
Keep Sarasota County Beautiful Awards 2007, May 2007
Ave Maria Preparatory School, Miracle Fest 2007, April 2007
Life of Riley Foundation, Riley's Royal Gala, April 2007
Sarasota Film Festival, Lunch Under The Banyans, April 2007 (Auctioneer)
American Cancer Society, Relay For Life 2007, April 2007
New College, Pique-nique-sur-la-baie, 24th Annual Luncheon, April 2007
Embracing Our Differences, Opening Ceremony, April 2007
ALSO Out Youth Annual Fundraiser, Dinner, Dissin' & Dancin', March 2007
Sarasota Ballet, A Tribute to Robert deWarren, March 2007
Junior League, Golden Anniversary Gala, March 2007
Child Protection Centre, Sarasota Comedy Festival, March 2007
Jewish Housing Council, Tribute to Jim & Nikki Nilon, March 2007
Sarasota Marathon, March 2007
Susan G. Komen For The Cure, The Pink Party, March 2007
Gulf Coast Men's Chorus, Tenth Anniversary Holiday Concert, Songs of Seasons Past, December 2006
Make-A-Wish Foundation, 1st and 2nd Annual Daydreams & Wishes Fashion Show and Luncheon, December 2005 & 2006
Fine Arts Society of Sarasota, Celebrating Arts Around the World, December 2006
Designing Women Boutique, Fashion Cabaret and Supper, December 2006
American Cancer Society, Relay For Life Kick-Off, November 2006
Humane Society of Sarasota County, Hot Dogs and Cool Cats, November 2006
CANDance, October 2006 (Auctioneer)
Humane Society of Manatee County, Black Tie and Tails, September 2006
Bachelorette Masquerade Ball, Longboat Key Club, September 2006
Second Chance, Last Opportunity, 10th Annual Luncheon, August 2006
Retirement Roast for Dean Calamaras, Mayor of Venice, May 2006
MCC Foundation, Evening Under The Stars, May 2006
Make-A-Wish Foundation, 15th Annual Wishfest Celebration, May 2006
Sarasota County Arts Council smARTalk panel discussion, April 2006 (Moderator)
Sarasota Concert Band, July 2005/April 2006
Sarasota POPS Orchestra, October 2005/April 2006
Sarasota Chorus of the Keys, The Songs America Sings, March 2006
Ave Maria Preparatory School Miracle Fest 2006, March 2006
C.A.N. All That Glitters, March 2006 (Auctioneer)
Orchid Ball, The Age of Elegance, April 2006
MISCELLANEOUS
2009
Hot Topics with Dr. Linda Ballou, BLAB-TV Channel 21 (guest)
Tiger Bay Club, Ethics in Journalism and Survival of Newspapers in the Internet Age (panel moderator) Sarasota British Club Murder Mystery Night (Quizmaster)
Best Local Charismatic Actor, Best of SRQ Local 2009, SRQ Magazine (Readers' Choice) SceneMagazine's SCENE Up Close, BLAB-TV, Ch. 21 (host) Pines of Sarasota, Beauty of Aging Luncheon (panelist) Sarasota British Car Club, January 2009 (guest speaker)
2008 Narrator The Christmas Story, CPL, 27th annual Christmas Candle-Lighting Service Best Suncoast Enthusiast, Best Local Actor 2008, Creative Loafing (Readers' Choice)
Board member, Players of Sarasota, May 2007 – October 2008 “Town Crier”, Victory of Love, Faith Lutheran Church & Whitfield Presbyterian Church
Judge, High School Idol, Education Channel Winner, Sarasota Herald Tribune Curtain Call 2008, Best Supporting Actor, Play (Readers' Choice)
Actor, TV Commercial “RV Getaway”
Sarasota British Club, August 2008 (guest speaker)
Finalist, Best Local Actor 2008, Sarasota Magazine (Readers' Choice) Gulf Gate Library Volunteer Luncheon (guest speaker)
Producer, Sarasota Film Festival, 10th Anniversary Ball Narrator Oh, The Places You'll Go, CPL, March 2008
Paws on the Catwalk, Humane Society of Sarasota County, Fashion Show (model)
2007
Audiobook reader, First Light
Narrator The Christmas Story, CPL, 26th annual Christmas Candle-Lighting Service, December 2007
Scene Up Close, BLAB-TV, Ch. 21 (guest)
Judge, High School Idol, Education Channel 2007/2008
Winner, Sarasota County Arts Council 2007 Arts Leadership Award, Media
Best Suncoast Enthusiast, 2nd place Best Local Radio DJ, Best Local Actor 2007, Creative Loafing
Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay (guest speaker)
Sarasota Newcomers Club (guest speaker)
The Sandra Washington Show, BLAB-TV, Ch. 21 (guest)
Designing Women Boutique Salon Series (guest speaker)
Civic League of Sarasota (guest speaker)
Narrator, Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet, CPL, March 2007
Ringmaster, Circus Sarasota
Actor, TV Commercial “SUNDIAL”
Voiceovers, TV commercials (Players Theatre, Komen Build for the Cure, Florida West Coast Symphony, Sarasota Film Festival, Designing Women Boutique, Boys and Girls Club)
Committees in 2007:
Clowning Around Town Gala, for May 2007
7th Annual Van Wezel Foundation Gala, for January 2008
“It's a Saxy Affair” honoring Myron & Jewel Ash, for January 2008
2006
Narrator, ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas, CPL, December 2006
Performer, Dancing With The Stars, CANDance, October 2006
Audiobook reader, Fifty Famous Stories Retold
Ringmaster, Circus Sarasota
Narrator, Carnival of the Animals, Florida West Coast Symphony, January 2006
Judge, High School Idol, Education Channel 2005/2006
Judge, Talent Explosion, Players of Sarasota, September 2006
Actor, TV Commercial “Lido Beach Resort“, 2005/2006
Voiceovers, TV commercials (Circus Sarasota, Players of Sarasota, Florida West Coast Symphony, Ringling College of Art & Design)
1999 – Present
German > English translator/interpreter
1984 – 2000
Promotion/marketing for various record companies in Germany and Switzerland (Hans Gerig Musikverlage, PolyGram/Mercury/Island, VIP AG, Booya, Orbit), responsible for the TV, radio, press and club/street promotion of all label artists
1981 – 1984
3M Sales representative based in Neuss nr. Düsseldorf, Germany, responsible for selling 3M's DIY product range to building and DIY markets
1975 – 1981
Import/Export Manager for BAU-TEKO, a subsidiary of GÜNTHER WIEDENHAGEN ISOLIERBAUSTOFFE GmbH, Rhienbach nr. Bonn, Germany; responsible for the import of insulation building materials and sale to German retail DIY markets.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
1971 – 1975
City of Birmingham Polytechnic, Birmingham UK, Diploma in Foreign Languages for Business (German, French, Russian) A.I.L. (Associate of the Institute of Linguists) – German, French
1966 – 1971
John Ruskin Grammar School, Croydon UK
1958 – 1966
South Norwood Junior Mixed School, South Norwood UK
