Devin Johnson

Perhaps you saw Devin Johnson dancing and singing in NTPA’s Legally Blonde or SpongeBob the Musical or as a Roustabout in Garland Civic Theatre’s Carnival or giving off frightening vibes in Mask of Death at MBS Productions or most recently giving his all in the ensemble of Aida. Wherever you caught Devin performing you most certainly noticed him. Devin’s enthusiasm captures audiences. He is a young man determined to succeed in the performing arts. He studies constantly to improve his craft and wants to always give his best performance possible. Devin’s prodigious talents and his drive make him a formidable player in the DFW theater community. So, look out world! Here comes rising star Devin Johnson. Read about Devin’s journey in the latest Beyond the Bio.

When was your first time on stage?

My first time on stage was when I was in Middle School and we did a talent show. Of course, I was at church performing often and would be representing for my district. However, I performed in Middle School singing Hezekiah Walker ‘Grateful’. The made fun of me for so long that I ran away from performing all together. I was bullied not because I did not sound good, but because they just wanted to make fun of me. I did not know at that time. I suffered from trauma of performing and develop what I thought as “Stage fright” but it was really PTSD of getting made fun of. When I got to High School, we were doing the production of Cinderella and my choir teacher saw me and told me “Didn’t you do musical in Middle School?” I nodded my head. Then he demanded that I be in Cinderella and then I fell back in love with musicals and acting

When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

I was in High School and they took us to New York and we saw Newsies and Wicked. I was so in awed (as young kids say had me in a “Chokehold”) that I stayed up that night thinking if I could do that. Being in New York felt like I was meant to be there. I never knew I wanted to be an actor I know I wanted to do musicals. I just felt like it helped me become more of myself. I felt grounded but also able to touch the sky in a way. I don’t want to put myself in a box of just being an “actor” or “singer”. I want to be an artist who heals with his craft. I want to entertain people, but mostly I want to heal people (and myself) with art.

 Who is your greatest mentor?

My greatest mentor is honestly my mother. She has done so much for me in my life. She has given up everything just so I can reach my dreams. Her love for me is just beautiful and I feel like sometimes I don’t deserve it. My mother accomplished so much when she was younger. I would always try my best to reach the goals she had when she was older, but I learned that she is her own person and I am too. I am proud of the woman she is and her wisdom that she shares with me, even who I do not want to hear it. Mom I thank you for being yourself and helping me when I am down. Thank you!

 What role have you enjoyed the most in your career so far?

I truly enjoyed performing with Mark-Brian Productions doing Theatre of Death. He was so insightful of acting and the technical side of everything. I truly enjoyed working with him and learning all that he had to offer. I also love the show I am currently working on. Lyric Stage has offer so much learning experience. I am grateful to be in Aida. I have learned so much. I absorb every moment to learn and take it for myself.

 Do you have a dream role?

I have several dream roles. I always wanted the role of the Prince in Cinderella. My sister and I would sing together when we watched the movie together. Also, I want to play Damian in Mean Girls the musical. I believe I will give him different depths that I believe others have not explored yet. I would love to play C. C. White in Dreamgirls. His character is so interesting, and I love his story. Also, I would love to be in A Strange Loop, Pippin, The Wind in Willow and Color Purple.

What person(s) would you like to be on stage with?

 Titus Burgess, Patti LuPone, Cynthia Erivo and Heather Headley. I view these people as theatre excellence. They can all sing of course, but in musical theatre you can have.a great voice and not deliver the message of the song. It’s about connecting with everyone and that is what they all have in common. That is why I want to share a stage with them. They can help unlock a new side to acting that I never knew I could go to. These people push the boundaries and I want to be able to share the stage with them to learn, heal and step into the new level of theatre.

What performances have you seen that impressed you?

I went to see Color Purple when Cynthia was playing Celie and that changed my entire life. She helped me to really solidify that I can be in theatre and make a living off it. The Color Purple was the first time me seeing an all Black cast and knowing that this is Black Excellence and we can tell stories just as well as others.

What are your career goals?

I have so many career goals. I want to go on tour and perform everywhere. I also want to perform at the West End. I want to be able to get an EGOT. Black men have won EGOTs but I want to be the first Gay Black man to win. (Probably might happen before, but oh well!) I also want to be able to open a theatre in minority communities so that kids who have the talent can go and perform. So they can have the experience of working in a theatre. I want to be able to give back to my community either with Money or resources for them to be able to develop their skills with acting, singing, dance, etc.. I also want to create a haven for Queer and Trans youth/ adults that needs a place to stay because of family issues or societal issues. My cousin just transitioned, and I am so grateful for him, and I want to do everything I can to make him feel loved. I do want to create some musicals. Write some original music for new musicals. I have composed in the past and I would love to do it in the future. Make more musicals that have Queer, Trans, and Black stories that we do not get to see often.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I conducted two different choirs and Orchestra at my College (Morehouse College). I was one of the student conductors and I really enjoyed being a conductor. I still have my baton at home. I look up different orchestra or choral pieces and I conduct them like they are in front of me. If I did not want to do theatre anymore (which is never) I would love to go into conducting. Conducting is more than just waving your arms around. Conductors take the musicians on a musical journey. The conductor is the one keeping everything together. I enjoyed conducting a lot. I did not know I would like conducting this much until I stepped up and did it.