Actors: The Imagination and the "Third Eye"

I have come to the complete conclusion that actors are people who haven't grown out of playing "make believe" (i.e. Cops & Robbers). They use that desire to serve a greater purpose and that is to tell a story. I've learned that in order to be an actor you should have numerous qualities, but  one of them are EXTREMELY important. Actors must listen to the people around them and immerse themselves into the world in which the story takes place. Listening is such an important part of our job and in doing so we eliminate what some people call the "Third Eye"

The "Third Eye" is when an actor is on stage thinking about the audience how they are being perceived. This is a trap because you are no longer in the moment, you paying more attention to the audience than your scene partners. The "Third Eye" is recipe for disaster when your role doesn't call for it. I still find myself drifting in and out of the universe on stage sometimes, when you are aware of this, you can keep your imagination in tact!

-Sean Boyce Johnson

Why Are We Here?

I just moved in to the apartment out here with the Pendragon company. Since I'm here by myself, I've had a lot of time to think in just one night. I just had a thought about our purpose on this planet as people. We all have gifts and things to share whether it is a skill you have acquired or a talent. God gives each of us things that we can share with others.

Where am I going with this? I recently came to the conclusion that our God-given abilities are not supposed to die with us. We are supposed to touch people. I know someone who has the gift of motivating and inspiring others but he has not explored this ability to its full potential. Yes, most people have day jobs, but it shouldn't mean that we stop there. We as people should work in a way where we can survive as well as reach others with our gifts. I feel that there are two VERY big misconceptions about life on earth and they are

1. Go to school, find a job/career, get married, have kids, retire, and then live until we die.
2. Go to school or skip it... use a talent to get rich or famous... then get married and so forth.

There are many more that I could add to this list, but I see that these goals are common. These concepts become warped when people pursue these with no purpose, they just do so for self fulfillment.  I realized that a career, job, or hobby is something that you have to offer to yourself and others, we should not die with our gifts going to waste.

Do what you are good at and don't think about success, think about how you want to serve the world. It shouldn't matter that you gain popularity from what you do for others. Use your platform or reach to service the world regardless of whether you reach 5 people or 5 million.

I will state that it is not about being "successful"... A lot of people think "success" is a synonym for rich and it isn't. I see success as being happy, inspired and having that rub off on the people you come into contact with. Success is also reaching a goal but if you attain that goal and you aren't happy... Guess what? You are NOT successful.

Don't think about "success" and you will succeed because you were thinking about others. THAT should be part of what makes you happy, THAT is success.

-Sean Boyce Johnson

My Second Home!

As a child I never thought I was good at anything. I wasn't very good at sports, I was an average (B) student in class, but when I stepped on stage or had the opportunity to entertain people, I was in my element. I knew that I enjoyed performing and telling stories. I loved it before I even knew what it (acting) was or that I could even pursue it as a career! I love being in the theatre; there are times when I just walk into a theater and just chill out. I'm going to sound a little cheesy when I say this but I literally feel something in the air when I’m in a theatre. I feel charged, if I'm having a bad day, spending time in the theatre helps. There were times during the rehearsals and run of Topdog/Underdog that I would just walk into the theatre alone and go over or study lines. Some people that I have worked with think I'm crazy... a lot of the time when cast and crew leave, I'm not in a hurry to leave the theatre because I feel at home. I thank God that not only do I feel comfortable and at home in the theatre but I have something to offer as an actor as well.


-Sean Boyce Johnson

A BLAST from the PAST!

I thought I'd use this time to poke fun at myself and my blog.

The header/Logo for this page has gone through several transformations and I thought I'd share some of them with you all.

If you havent been following since this blog began four years ago...this should be (somewhat) interesting!

From the begining to what it is today!!!

...AND YES THAT SILHOUETTE IS REALLY ME! I DIDN'T STEAL IT FROM SOMEWHERE!

The Footsteps that I Follow

Below is a list of actors whose careers I emulate and admire. They are my influences

SIDNEY POITIER Sidney is a true pioneer. He has won Oscars and gained respect of Hollywood when Black actors would not be given lead roles. I cannot say enough words about his Career aside from the fact that Black male actors owe their careers to this guy. He paved the way!

LAURENCE FISHBURNE

I was 3 or 4 when I saw 'What's Love Got to Do with It for the first time. I was terrified of Ike Turner's character as a child, he was so vicious. I couldn't watch Laurence in any other films for a long time after that. It wasn’t until ‘The Matrix when I saw Laurence as Morpheus. I had a full grasp of how good of an actor he was and his immense understanding of characters. I knew from then on that I wanted to be as good an actor as he was!

PATRICK STEWART

Patrick is a Genius I saw him in Star Trek for the first time and then later in ‘X-Men’. I looked up his work and was able to see his work on tape with the Royal Shakespeare company as well. Patrick’s voice and demeanor on film is admirable. I think he is an excellent actor who I have grown to respect.

GARY OLDMAN Aside from being a freakin’ awesome actor, he is truly a master of disguise. Every single part that he plays is a completely different person. The nuances in his performances make him that much more real. When I see a film with Gary Oldman, regardless of how famous he is …he truly disappears, I admire that.

HARRY BELAFONTE

Harry is another pioneer who I wasn’t going to place on this list but I had to think twice. If it weren’t for him I may not have opportunities as an actor. Not only is Harry a trailblazer but he was one of the first Black actors to have 'sex appeal' in his time. Women loved him and he was insanely talented as well. He showed that Black men Hollywood could captivate female audiences. IAN MCKELLEN

Ian is a master at what HE does. He is a great Shakespearean actor who I respect. He plays characters with an epic strength and presence that I admire. I saw him for the first time in the first X-Men film and was blown away by how awesome Magneto was. Ian is truly an influence in my work as an artist. I recently was able to see some of his recorded work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and WOW is all I can say.

MORGAN FREEMAN

Like the men mentioned above and below Morgan portrays leaders. Leadership roles are what I think I do best and what I think Morgan has mastered. He has become the go-to guy for “God” roles and Voice-overs. Mr. Freeman has a calm leadership quality that shows on film and I admire that in his work.

LIEV SCHRIEBER

This guy is a great actor, I saw him for the first time in (don’t laugh) the ‘Scream’ films. His character went from bit player, to one of the leads, to cameo within three films and I really understood and felt bad for his character of Cotton Weary the red herring who never caught a break. I was able to see his work in several other films and saw snippets of his work in stage plays. This guy is good! He has an understanding of characters and makes an unlikeable character likeable.

DON CHEADLE

This guy moves so fast, it seems. He goes in and out of films and pops up all over the place. It seems like Don Cheadle is always working. His performances are golden whether it is a cheesy action flick like Iron Man or a heart wrenching Drama Like Hotel Rwanda. I actually played the same part he played in Topdog/Underdog. After playing the part of Booth I have so much respect for him

JAMES EARL JONES

The ultimate, his voice is something that I wish I had. He is an excellent actor, when he speaks…we listen. I admire how he captivates and leaves a lasting impression with his voice. A man who once stuttered constantly, now has one of the most expensive and commanding voices in show business. What is there not to admire about James and his work.

WILL SMITH

He may not be a heavy contender on the stage but he can act on film. But not only has he grown and shown great strength as a performer but he has control over his career. His name brings box office bucks to the studios. He can support his family and guide his children under his wing and develop their careers. I admire how much control he has as an actor and producer in Hollywood. He is a genius in so many ways when it comes to the business. If he wasn’t a talented businessman then he wouldn’t be anywhere near where he is today!

HUGH JACKMAN

I want to be the black Hugh Jackman! This guy seems to be one of the coolest men on earth. I would love to meet him. He is insanely talented. He is a triple threat (Actor, Singer, Dancer). Like Ian, I saw him for the first time in ‘X-MEN’ as Wolverine. I saw how well he played the "tough guy" role and then went on and did a Broadway musical and sang and danced. I said to myself. “WTF?, is that Wolverine... dancing?” I knew right away that this guy was a true theater artist who could do it all and execute each part of his craft well. I admire Hugh for his Versatility.

DENZEL WASHINGTON

He is someone who has taught me so much and I haven’t even met him. It was his interviews and body of work that showed me that an acting career is a marathon and not a sprint. Denzel has been around for so long and he had no need to rush, it just happened for him over time. He always stresses to do theatre first and not to run to Hollywood. He stresses that theater is our discipline and it is where our craft truly lives. The other actors on my list may know this and live by this but I have seen Denzel stress this! He has taught me lessons through his work.

-Sean Boyce Johnson

Photos from Topdog/Underdog

This show was an amazing experience. I have learned so much from Topdog/Underdog. Below are some photos from the production on and off the stage.

Suzan-Lori Parks' Topdog/Underdog - The Actor's purpose and my process

(I am pictured right with Anthony Williams Jr. on the left)



Performing in this production has been such an educational experience for me. I've learned so much about the Actor's purpose in a production and the process that I undergo as an actor.

Purpose: My purpose as an actor is to dedicate my energy and time into making the author's (in this case Suzan-Lori Parks) text into a character. It is my job to literally flesh out a character for an audience. I have no other obligation. My job as an actor is not to impress, get rich or increase my popularity. My job is to dedicate my physical presence to the storytelling process. As an actor I am a part of a team of theatre and film artists. There are so many people involved in the storytelling process and an actor must use his body & voice (his/her instrument) to be a productive member of the team. I'm so blessed to have worked with such a committed team. I can truly say we brought Suzan-Lori Parks' work to life.

Process: Because Booth is such a complex character it was very easy to self observe during the rehearsals. After having a conversation with our director Jay Pecora, I became fully aware of how I approach a character as an actor. I read the script without any preconceived notions, I continue to read over and over again and eventually build the character. The writer creates a person; this person has a life and universe in which they live. I approach the person as if they were real, reading the play is like having a first conversation. The next time I read, I find new things and the person/character begins to introduce himself to me. He introduces himself to me through the text and I use my body and voice to introduce him to the audience.

- Sean Boyce Johnson

Topdog / Underdog

I'm staring as Booth in my university's production of "Topdog / Underdog" which is a pulitzer prize winning play written by Suzan-Lori Parks. I'm very excited, this is a very different role for me and it is emotionally demanding. I am so excited for opening night which will be in April!!!!!

STILL

I feel like I'm standing still

As they all pass me by

I can stand here until

I have no things left of mine

I keep on standing still

I won't keep standing still

To whom I will I talk?

I can stand here until

Today... The day when I decided to walk