I was very fortunate to have the chance to ask Jonny a few questions during the very busy awards season. In this first of two parts, we talk about the award he received recently, why he changed from journalism to acting as a career, and making films - including film star Keanu Reeves!
JEFF: Hi, Jonny! Thank you so much for this interview. When I wrote my review of The Nance, I expressed my displeasure at
the fact that you were left off the Tony Awards nominations list. But it soothes me to know that you are the
2013 recipient of the Theatre World Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in
Theatre. Congratulations! How do you feel about this honor? How was the awards ceremony? Who presented it to you?
JONNY: Nathan presented me with the award and said such wonderful
things. We have had an incredible time working together, and he’s been so good
to all of us. I am so honored to receive the award because I feel it’s another
step toward being welcomed into this incredible tradition of storytelling.
JEFF: I read in another
interview that acting was not something you were into when you were in high
school or even most of college. How did
you “find” theatre/acting? What was the
“bug” that bit you?
JONNY: I really got into it in college. I was studying journalism
initially because I’ve always been fascinated by powerful stories, researching
people and why they make the choices they make, etc., and at some point,
realized I responded more strongly in a visceral way to acting as the format to
tell those stories and get peoples voices heard.
JEFF: In that same
interview, you talked about being what sounds like a typical teenage boy –
sports lover, edgy, self-protective… “I was just trying to figure myself
out.” Now, some years removed from being
an angst-filled teen, what have you figured out? In this day and age of bullying
and suicide awareness, what advice about all of that might you give a young man
or young woman reading this?
JONNY: Young people should know that any negativity in a person,
including negative things a person might say to you, insults, etc... all
negativity in a person stems from an issue they have with themselves - not
ultimately with you. So one thing I’ve figured out is practicing compassion
towards people, almost especially towards people who are negative, mean, rude,
whatever you want to call them, because there is love in their heart somewhere,
and they are only being difficult towards you because of issues THEY have. When
people try to hurt you it is truly and honestly their problem, not yours. As
long as you are good to others, you deserve more than anything in the world to
be good to yourself. And don’t waste your love or time on anyone who doesn’t
make you feel great about being who you are. Go where your love is appreciated.
JEFF: Tell us about your
experience with the film Cigarette Candy,
which is an award-winning short film. I
understand you were cast in an unusual way?
How did you research the military and P.T.S.D.?
JONNY: Coming from a journalism background, I spent a lot of time
with war photography and reading all kinds of articles about all things
regarding P.T.S.D., most alarming of which were articles I found highlighting
the suicide rates of returning vets which is so upsetting. The health
professionals in the field are incredible human beings working tirelessly. It
was my first project in NYC before I even had an agent, so when I heard about
the project, I recorded an audition monologue and sent it to the director via Facebook
asking very passionately for an audition slot. P.T.S.D., like so many things,
needs attention and love, so I was very honored to be part of bringing the
story to light in our film.
JEFF: You’ve made some
other films, including one called Generation Um... with Keanu Reeves.
How was it to work with someone with so much film experience? Did he offer you any advice? How different is it to act for film versus in
front of a live audience? Do you have a
preference between film and stage work?
JONNY: I’ve been very lucky to work with some incredibly gracious,
talented people. Keanu and I spoke quite a bit about what it means to just
honor where you are, what you are feeling in the moment and to not judge the
emotions thoughts or feelings you’re having but to just experience them. Judgment clouds reality - and that’s not just
acting, but all of life. Though we worked for only a few days together, he is a
remarkable person and was very good to me. Film can feel very technical at
times, whereas [on] stage you can really just rip with the energy in the
theater, which is one of the greatest thrills for an actor and an audience
alike. Film though can capture these powerful, subtle moments that can
sometimes get lost on stage, just given the intimacy of a camera close up. So
they both definitely have their strengths and appeal.
Look for Part II HERE.
(Photos from Getty Images; Theatre World Awards photos by Walter McBride; production photos by Joan Marcus)
(Photos from Getty Images; Theatre World Awards photos by Walter McBride; production photos by Joan Marcus)
Jeff
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