Meet Ben Johnson

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ben Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Ben with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I have always had a general idea growing up that performing is what I wanted to do. How to exactly get there wasn’t the most fleshed out, but it never is for anyone. As many things in life, there is no one correct path to the goal. My mind couldn’t allow not taking the right steps however, so I just worked really hard at a lot of things in order to try and take every path in a sense. It was helpful having a academically perfect sister to live up to almost certainly giving me an expectation in school. I never stopped working. I tried almost every theatre production I could in the area, played in multiple bands, played sports year round, and just tried keeping myself always busy because if you are always doing something, then there is inevitably always something that needs to get done. I attended college while in high school gaining my Associate’s Degree by the time I graduated and immediately transferred to Rockford University full time to receive my Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in two years. This rushed academic process though extremely difficult, woking twice as hard all day and night, was worth it as I have now gotten to spend the last two years (I would have been in school) gaining real experience in the performance industry. This is what it was all for, and it was a huge success. Now, as always, we strive for the next thing.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am currently a professional actor. Everyone’s artistic careers can look completely different, but I have had an exciting journey over the last few years since graduating. From performing in theme parks such as Cedar Point and Kings Dominion, to Actor/Musician shows playing drums, piano, guitar, bass, banjo, accordion, ukulele, and mandolin all on stages from Pittsburgh to Vermont. I have gotten chances to perform in a movie musical, as well as originate several characters in different musical productions across the country. All of this lead to my latest career goal achieved by joining three national tours, performing year round in the largest venues across North America with multi-billion dollar brands including a famous yellow bird on Sesame Street. The people I have come across in this industry, the friends I have made along the way, and the places I’ve seen are undeniably the most special part about this job. I love to entertain others.

I recently finished recording an album titled “From Roads to Strings and Back Again” now available to listen on all music platforms. Each song acts as a reflection of my time as an actor chasing my dream while being on the road. The music served almost as a personal journal, which I now share with everyone as a glimpse of the joy and sometimes harsh realities that comes from my unique perspective on chasing your dreams and being an actor.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

There are three skills that I found most impactful over my journey of becoming a professional actor. Those are people skills, performance skills, and adaptive skills.

People skills are an essential part to being a performer. In this industry, there is a constant cycle of meeting new people for a show and having to make a connection with them for future opportunities. Each contract. I have had to make a first impression over and over again and socialize with people in order to fulfill my duties on and off stage. I have gone on several contracts driving across the country to the middle of no where to do a show where I know nobody, and left with some of the closest people in my life and mentors who lead me to further steps in my career. As long as you are sociable, kind, and professional, you will make it far in this business.

Performance skills are also a crucial part to the job. Growing up I was always doing everything in my power to hone my craft. I would play my guitar constantly instead of a video game, or go out and join a community theatre production, take a voice lesson or dance lesson or two. I then went on to study musical theater at school, which isn’t always necessary for everyone, but definitely worth it in my journey. These are all tangible activities people can do in order to improve on their performance skills.

Finally, the ability to adapt is absolutely needed and probably the most important skill that was most impactful on my journey. Everywhere you go in this industry, things are going to be done differently. Some places have an expensive budget and your schedule planned out to the very last day while other places use what they can find in a back room and plan your life day by day. I worked jobs where I had to sleep on a tour bus with 11 other people and others where the company provided me an entire house. Some theaters were inside a nice venue, others were outside performing in 100 degrees. Some places paid for all of your food, others didn’t have a grocery store within 25 miles. I’ve worked a contract for a weekend, and I’ve done the same show everyday for half of the year. Sometimes I wear my own clothes in the production, other places put you in a full body mascot suit. Shows call for different things. Directors do things differently. Actors do things differently. Companies do things differently. That’s just the way it is, and being able to overcome all of the changes you face and still do your job being an actor sharing the story is a necessity. This, more than anything, is a mindset. You can’t really work on this until you get out and try every experience, the good and the bad. You will learn from all and gain an incredible amount of knowledge that will further you on your journey.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

I feel I have been very blessed in my journey as a professional performer so far. I have gotten to see the country and perform in some of the coolest venues around, but lately I have been ready for the next chapter in my career and that is moving to New York City. This is where I will be able to find all of the friends I have made along the way and a place where I can achieve more career goals. Lately, I have longed for that sense of normalcy and consistency in my surroundings that you get when you plant your roots somewhere. Most people in their life know where they will be this time next year, but I am uncertain where I will be this time next week let alone what I will be doing there. The instability in this field is worth it absolutely. Getting to do what you love is the best way to live life. However there does need to be some stability somewhere in your life, and I think I am ready for that now.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Randy Davidson Photography
Tyler Core Photography
Rob Aft Photography
Reems Landreth Photography

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