We recently connected with Johanna Griesé and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Johanna , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Thank you so much for having me! I’ve always felt very connected to the arts. When I was a kid my parents sent me to summer camp, and I was in a play. I couldn’t tell you the name of it, but I remember how right being onstage felt. It was an incredible rush and a feeling of being where I was supposed to be.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an actor living and working in Brooklyn. I have been acting full time for the past six years. I also sing and have produced a successful limited run of the play “Proof,” when I lived in Florida, in which I also starred. I do a lot of freelance work, and also substitute teach. I have been on the Showtime series “Ziwe,” and was featured on “New Amsterdam.” I made my Off Broadway debut as the lead in “A Brief Encounter,” by Meny Beriro, directed by Sarah Gorden, alongside co star Orlando F. Rodriguez. Currently, I am working on producing a limited run of the play “My Name is Rachel Corrie,” here in NYC that I’ll also star in. The play is about the late American activist and artist Rachel Corrie who was murdered while engaging in peaceful protest in Palestine by an Israeli bulldozer. As an artist, I want to be a part of performances that affect change, and I think this story is very important. What’s happening in Palestine is nothing less than genocide, and has been going on too long. As a half Jew, I find it imperative to speak out on this issue. I saw this play first here in nyc with The Seeing Place, starring the late great Erin Cronican. Dates are not set yet, but more info will be posted on my site and social media, which can all be found at johannagriese.com. For more information about Rachel Corrie, her family has a foundation, please see Rachelcorriefoundation.org. Rachel was a testament to one person making a difference, and her family is carrying on her legacy.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Sometimes, you have to take a chance, a leap of faith, even if you are scared. Even though I grew up in Long Island, my family moved us to Florida after I graduated high school. Moving from them was scary, but it was the greatest decision I ever made. Also, having a mentor is huge. My mentor in Florida, Eugenie Bondurant, believed in me when I was losing hope on succeeding as an artist. I could not have gotten this far without her. So trusting in others is huge. Also, being willing to fail. You will get many, many, nos in this business, and it can be ego crushing. Sometimes you will have an audition you do poorly at, or a show that doesn’t go according to plan. Uta Hagen said art is never finished. We as humans never are. We just have to keep learning and growing.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes! I would really like to have Palestinian artists contact me who are here in nyc, or who have been there/ have a connection. Either to possibly be a part of the team, or speak to me about their experiences. I want to do the best job I can in showing what is happening there, so that I can open as many minds as possible. I can be contacted via my site.
Contact Info:
- Website: Johannagriese.com
- Instagram: @johanna_r_griese
- Facebook: Actorjohannagriese
- Twitter: @johannagriese
- Youtube: @jaicatlady
Image Credits
http://www.pjzstudios.com/ Peter James Zielinski for the headshot
