James J. Johnson - Actor
James J. Johnson was the first person I interviewed when I added SymplyConversating to my website in 2018. Since this interview was published, James had added screenwriter as well as playwright to his resume.
He is the recipient of a Solo Works Commission from 1st Stage in Tyson's Corner, Virginia.
NOTHING FROM SOMETHING is now available to buy/rent on Amazon Streaming, a film where Johnson plays a lawyer.
He was featured in Arena Stage's 2nd film, 51st STATE, directed by Molly Smith. Available for FREE on Youtube.
His monologue, "Inertia," was performed by actor Devin Wheeler, as a part of New World Theatre's "08:46: A Time To Listen."
He is currently teaching "Intro to Acting" for the first time with Theatre Lab in DC.
What a difference two years makes! Please read his original interview below!
SymplyEbony: What has been your greatest accomplishment as an actor?
JamesJohnson: My biggest accomplishment is actually BEING an actor, I think. It was such a dream for so long, and being from a small, remote town in Virginia, dreams like that seem even further away. As far as accomplishments in acting, I don't think it's happened yet. I feel like every time I'm allowed to perform, it's an accomplishment. I take none of it for granted.
SymplyEbony: I can’t ask about accomplishments without touching on disappointments.
JamesJohnson: The disappointments can be seemingly incessant. Actors and freelance artists who are in a constant hustle for the next job have to face so much rejection, it is overwhelming at times. This marks 21 years I've been acting professionally, and up until 2014, I worked regularly in professional theatre productions. Then suddenly it all stopped. I'd audition and nothing came about. The last four years have been a cycle of getting over myself.
SymplyEbony: How do you bounce back from those disappointments? From where do you pull the strength?
JamesJohnson: My parents laid the foundation of faith. My wife allows me the space to feel and heal, and I have the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I'm aware that despite any relative downturns, I have an upturn on the way. Sometimes I wish it'd hurry up.
SymplyEbony : When will you know you’ve come full circle? Do you feel you have?
JamesJohnson: I have definitely come full little circles. There's a big circle that may only happen at death. When I die, I'll let you know. As far as the little circles, those are when I have a chance to meet or work with someone I've admired. Or, for instance, this past summer at the National Black Theatre Festival, having a chance to perform a staged reading with the Negro Ensemble Co. Do you know their alumni list???!!!
SymplyEbony: I like that. Little circles. It’s a cool way of looking at things. May I borrow it?
JamesJohnson: (chuckles) For a small fee.
SymplyEbony: What are you looking forward to in the future?
JamesJohnson: Now that I've started writing again, I look forward to hopefully having a piece produced fully one day. I look forward to writing something that I can perform, whether it's a one-man play or multi-actor play. I look forward to the surprises -- the good ones! This is a highly unpredictable business that can feel downright abusive at times, but when it is good, it is REEEAL good.
I also hope to write something that reaches someone one day, in whatever capacity. I have seen plays that have moved me or that I've connected to for reasons that I cannot articulate. I'd love to write one of those for somebody.
SymplyEbony: What impact do you want to leave on others in the business.
JamesJohnson: I just want to be there for others the way that many have been there for me. The DC Theatre community has a reputation for being supportive, and I just want to make sure I'm adding to that reputation.
Shout-out to Galvanize which several of us started around 2005 as a means to keep Black theatre artists connected and supported in the DC area.
SymplyEbony: James, thank you so much for SymplyConversating with me today!
JamesJohnson: Thank YOU for this! Keep doing what you're doing!
For more information about James J. Johnson, symply hit the button below.
Movies starring James J. Johnson. Click each title for rental/purchase information.
