Cary performing his classic "Date" pantomime near the outset of his career.

As an 18 year old teenager, Cary Trivanovich performed as guest at the prestigious Theatre Vanguard in Hollywood, where he was hailed as a "remarkably prodigious talent" and "perfect cartoons" by LA theatre critics.  Wayne Lee, Editor of Cary's hometown newspaper, Simi Valley Enterprise, wrote, "This kid is dynamite. Boffo... He's classy. He's also extremely funny... His audiences are wowed... The young man is funny, precise, startling. Moreover, he has presence. Real presence... It is a compliment to this city that such a talent blossomed here."

The following year at 19 years of age, Cary's first day on a national school tour resulted in this response from the principal at Belgrade High School in Montana:

"... it was by far the most outstanding national assembly we have had the pleasure of hosting... This young man has talent galore and handled himself like a seasoned veteran. My vocabulary is far too limited to honestly describe this young man's ability."

Cary performing the same "Date" pantomime in the 90's.

Responses from other high schools on that tour immediately followed... "The best assembly we have had in 8 years! The students loved it - it ran into lunch by choice of the students."  "Magnificent! Totally captivated a difficult audience."  "Standing ovation after encore."

Cary's colleges performances had the same type of direct heartfelt responses, like Cecilia Cho, the Club Hub Director at Claremont McKenna College, when she wrote, "The audience was blown away."

Through the years, corporate conferences yielded a similar response to Cary as their entertainment": "Cary Trivanovich is simply phenomenal!" wrote Nicole Lumpkins of Dorcas Rescue International, Inc.

Then, in the mid-90's, Cary began creating and performing pantomimes of sentiment in addition to his comedy, and his performances drew national attention.  Fred Fate, Chair of the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival, Region VIII, stated that Cary is "setting standards of excellence that become a measuring stick to which others strive," and Ellis Jordan of the Educational Theatre Association wrote,

"He has established a reputation throughout the U.S. that follows him from venue to venue. He is so creative that his art exceeds all boundaries and limitations that is associated with mime. His work is both inspiring and educational.  The characters he creates are of unbelievable depth."

Then, the responses started to take a new course - this time from audience members:

"That was the most moving performance I have ever seen on any stage.  Thank you for what you have done for me," wrote a woman following a performance at a storytelling festival.

"The depth and range of your performance touched me in a way that few plays or movies ever have. I wanted to thank you for opening my eyes to what art really is," came from a dancer at a theatre conference in Los Angeles.

A student at UCLA recently wrote to Cary: "your Gift of Life piece honestly moved me more than anyone or anything has for me ever before in my life."

What Cary Trivanovich does may be successful from his perspective, but what he does is significant from the perspective of others.

By Robert Manning, theatre director, and Cary's artistic director and close friend since high school.