Omar Epps

Omar Epps stars as Dr. Eric Foreman on the critically acclaimed Fox medical drama “House,” for which he has received the NAACP Image Award. His film credits include roles in “Scream 2,” “Mod Squad” and “Love and Basketball.” Epps has also starred in the 2002 Showtime Original movie “Conviction” in addition to his three starring roles in the HBO “First Time Felon,” “Deadly Voyage” and “Daybreak. “ In addition, Epps recently formed a production company called Brooklyn Works Films. Outside of his acting career, Omar has joined up with the Millennium Dance Complex Experience tour, a two-day intensive dance workshop with the nation’s top choreographers and dance professionals that is intended to teach attendees what it takes to make it in the dance industry. The Millennium Experience is partnering with the Creative Coalition to promote the arts and arts in public schools.

Robin Bronk: If you had five minutes in the Oval Office with President Obama, what would you discuss with him?  What issue would you like him to know about?

Omar Epps: I’d discuss the invaluable importance of the impact on society that derives strictly from the arts in general. I, for one, believe that every innovative idea comes from a creative mind or at least, when “thinking outside the box,” one has to effectively implement creative — or artistic, if you will — measures throughout their thought process to come to a place of new discovery. As America becomes more compartmentalized and fragmented, the substantive nature of the arts is seemingly becoming more and more stagnant. In short, mostly every great culture in history has had one thing in common: The arts have been a sacred treasure to be cherished, respected, protected, nourished and shared.

RB: If you could give President Obama one piece of advice, what would that be?

OE: I’d much rather he give me a piece of advice than the other way around.

RB: If you could ask President Obama one question, what would that be?

OE: Is there really proof of life on other planets?

RB: Would you ever consider a political career?

OE: I’m a lover, not a fighter.

Bronk is a seasoned Capitol Hill strategist and advocate. She started her career at The Creative Coalition, a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy group for the arts and entertainment industry, in July 1998. During her tenure as CEO, Bronk has taken The Creative Coalition from a New York-based entity to a national organization. www.thecreativecoalition.org