We had the pleasure of interviewing Joshua Johnson, a fresh thespian in the city of LA. His lovely performances brought Azure Lorica a wondrous array of voices in our script festivals, and we wish to share with you his journey, as he begins like all actors do, in the city of Angels.
What made you decide to become an actor?
In first grade, I was cast in our school's annual play, "Chicken Little and the Day the Sky Fell." I played Turkey Lurkey. Usually only the 5th and 6th graders got speaking roles. On the night of the performance, I stepped forward to say my last line of the play, slipped on my felt slipper, and felt on my little butterball butt. The audience roared and I loved it. Eventually, the desire to be onstage became a desire to tell stories as authentically as possible.
How do you feel about the entertainment industry now, as opposed to before, pertaining to ethnic and sexual diversity?
I think the more diverse stories, and the more correct casting for that diversity, the better. After this year's Tony Awards, I saw a video where a kid in a wheel chair watched Ali Stroker win Best Featured Actress in a Musical and gasp, "She looks like me!" Watching my friends who are black get hyped about Black Panther and see a positive representation of themselves made me so happy for them. Seeing Love, Simon in the theatres made ache; I was ecstatic for the millions of gay teenagers who could see this representation of themselves on the screen, and sad that teenaged me wasn't able to have that. The more diverse stories we tell, the easier we pave the way for future generations to live authentically.
Are there any upcoming projects you're working on?
I was just cast in a web series titled "The Disappointments." We had our first table read last night, and filming begins in July. The cast is great, the script is amazing, and I get to play a bitch. It's everything I've ever wanted.
What advice would you give to actors who hope to be in your shoes someday?
At this point, I don't feel like I'm really anywhere to be giving any advice whatsoever! That being said, be prepared to work. So much of this industry is pounding the pavement, looking for auditions and just trying to get into the room to be seen. If you're lucky enough to get into the room, remember this: the people in that room are rooting for you. They have a puzzle they're trying to solve, and they're hoping that every actor who comes into the room is the piece they're looking for. Don't take it personally if your piece doesn't fit. There's a puzzle out there that's still missing you.
What made you decide to become an actor?In first grade, I was cast in our school's annual play, "Chicken Little and the Day the Sky Fell." I played Turkey Lurkey. Usually only the 5th and 6th graders got speaking roles. On the night of the performance, I stepped forward to say my last line of the play, slipped on my felt slipper, and felt on my little butterball butt. The audience roared and I loved it. Eventually, the desire to be onstage became a desire to tell stories as authentically as possible.
How do you feel about the entertainment industry now, as opposed to before, pertaining to ethnic and sexual diversity?
I think the more diverse stories, and the more correct casting for that diversity, the better. After this year's Tony Awards, I saw a video where a kid in a wheel chair watched Ali Stroker win Best Featured Actress in a Musical and gasp, "She looks like me!" Watching my friends who are black get hyped about Black Panther and see a positive representation of themselves made me so happy for them. Seeing Love, Simon in the theatres made ache; I was ecstatic for the millions of gay teenagers who could see this representation of themselves on the screen, and sad that teenaged me wasn't able to have that. The more diverse stories we tell, the easier we pave the way for future generations to live authentically.
Are there any upcoming projects you're working on?
I was just cast in a web series titled "The Disappointments." We had our first table read last night, and filming begins in July. The cast is great, the script is amazing, and I get to play a bitch. It's everything I've ever wanted.
What advice would you give to actors who hope to be in your shoes someday?
At this point, I don't feel like I'm really anywhere to be giving any advice whatsoever! That being said, be prepared to work. So much of this industry is pounding the pavement, looking for auditions and just trying to get into the room to be seen. If you're lucky enough to get into the room, remember this: the people in that room are rooting for you. They have a puzzle they're trying to solve, and they're hoping that every actor who comes into the room is the piece they're looking for. Don't take it personally if your piece doesn't fit. There's a puzzle out there that's still missing you.
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