JOSH BYWATER* just joined Actors' Equity Association, and is coming in from New York City to play John Proctor in The Crucible.
*Denotes Member, Actors' Equity Association
Pictured below: appearing in Altruists with Jennifer Lager Woodall.
1. So, Josh, your bio includes appearances on Grey’s Anatomy and As the World Turns. What’s the difference between acting for the camera and acting on stage? (and did you meet anyone famous??)
Intimacy. The size of your choices as an actor…how much I need to fill the scene, the drive, depending on if there’s a camera or an audience in front of me. But even then…every moment still has to be real. I think there can be more prep work involved with a stage performance, depending on the size of the role and the length of the piece. On stage you gotta bring it for two hours. In film, you can have several takes to get it right, although there is a lot of downtime, so it can be difficult to keep the energy up. You have a much more intimate relationship with an audience when on stage than when on a dvd…you’re bearing everything right there, in front of someone who wants to be with the character’s journey in the moment it’s happening, both for the character and the actor in real time, not played back. This is applicable to film acting as well…but there is a different energy involved, for sure. At the end of the day, I’m just trying to be as honest as I can.
And I’d have to say I was most excited to meet Patrick Dempsey, hands down. I grew up on Can’t Buy Me Love, and Loverboy. It was a complete thrill to shake hands with him, and hear: ”Hi, I’m Patrick.” Super nice dude…a really lovely guy to work with.
2. Where are you from and how did you decide to spend the summer at OAT?
Born and raised in St Louis, MO…Kirkwood, to be more precise. I now live in New York City. It’s been my home for four and a half years now. It’s a wonderful place to grow as a person and as an artist. I decided to join the cast of The Crucible because I wanted to grab the opportunity to work with Jason and his lovely wife, Sarah…neither of whom I have worked with before, and also quite simply because of the piece itself. Last year I was in a production of All My Sons, during a very introspective time in my life. Taking on the role of John Proctor seemed like an insanely logical next step, and quite an exciting one.
3. How did you get in to the theatre?
Wow. Absurdity and luck. I took an Acting for Non-majors class at Webster University because I needed an art credit, as well as to quell this tiny acting nibbler inside me. When I was encouraged by the wonderful Susie Wall to consider pursuing acting further..well, I did. Something like 3 weeks later, I auditioned for Laughter on the 23rd Floor…I can’t even remember the name of the company…but I booked a role, and never looked back, really. The St Louis community of actors embraced me, and for that I owe them much gratitude. Years later, I’m no longer trying to quell the nibbler, but have welcomed him.
4. What’s one of your fondest theatrical memories as a performer?
I have to give two here, although there are many more. The first is the New Jewish Theatre’s production of The Chosen. I worked opposite a uniquely amazing, specifically talented actor, and cherished the rapport we had onstage. The actors I worked with every night inspired me to reach for something better every night-in myself, in the piece-it was inspiring to take this journey every night with these guys. The second would have to be my most recent venture, All My Sons. Exploring the reality of what it was like to be a soldier after returning home from WWII, and struggling to make sense of his life was…and this is a cop out…but indescribable. I think Miller had a pulse on the feelings and fears of these soldiers, post war, and wrote them brilliantly in this play. All these ideas were layered around something that is universal-family, and the secrets we hold dear to, so we may not have to face the ugly truth of what life sometimes offers up. It was difficult to not relate to the character of Chris because of the genius of Arthur Miller.
5. What are you most looking forward to experiencing in Rolla?
Escaping from NYC. Taking my dog out to romp in the country…an open field..wherever there’s grass. And to be doing it all while doing what won’t be quelled. Not a bad way to spend the summer.
