An Interview with Joshua Parrott

Orlando Shakes spoke with Joshua Parrott, an Acting/Education Intern at the theater, who stars as Alexander in  Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. For advice on acting, bad days, and doing what you love: read on!

Orlando Shakespeare Theater: What are some similarities and differences between the classic book and the musical?

Joshua Parrott: There are several! Because the book is admittedly a short read, the musical needed to stretch out the original story quite a bit. In some cases, the pages in the book were expounded upon, like the elevator scene or the tag scene, where a couple of sentences in the book become fully fleshed out theatrical moments in the musical. In other cases, the musical added moments that never existed in the book, such as Alexander’s imagination-fueled anthem to Australia, or the several songs performed by Alexander’s classmates in school (which were actually inspired from the author Judith Viorst’s poems in her collection “If I Were in Charge of the World and Other Worries: Poems for Children and their Parents” along with the opening song!).

OST: What’s it like bringing an iconic children’s book character to life? 

JP: It’s a blast! I grew up with the Alexander books, and my parents tell me that I expressed strong relatability with its ornery protagonist when I was very young. The character has reemerged into the spotlight after his recent iteration in the 2014 movie, and, despite the seasoned age of the book, the story continues to entertain and delight children even today. It was a joy to bring that powerful literary magic to the stage.

OST: What’s your favorite song to perform in the show?

JP: “Australia”! So much of Alexander’s journey is a despondent one, ridden with incessant bullies and spiteful adults; it’s a much needed and therapeutic escape for Alexander to momentarily be lost in his Australian reveries. The song also allows the audience to see Alexander’s playful and imaginative side, and who doesn’t like dancing with koalas and kangaroos?

OST: What are the key similarities and differences between performing for children and performing for grown ups?

Photo by Megan Pridemore features Isaiah Columbus and Joshua Parrott.

JP: This is my third professional children’s theater production, and with each show the kids teach me something new about this specific style of the craft. One of my directors imparted an invaluable piece of advise when performing for children: “Don’t talk down to them. Treat them just like adults. The only difference is that they haven’t been on this planet as long, but that doesn’t make them any less intelligent. There’s no need to pander to them; treat them as equals and they will take notice.”

In our production, we certainly cater to a child’s sense of humor in a couple of places (a certain Superman underwear surprise comes to mind!), but our production ultimately strives to play the truth of the moment, even if the circumstances are ridiculous and/or fantastical. The characters are experiencing a genuine spectrum of emotions for the first time, and the kids pick up on that.

OST: How did you originally get into acting?

JP: I started singing in church at a very young age and, despite being introverted at heart, always loved entertaining my friends and making them laugh. I would constantly leave my family members in stitches at birthday parties and holidays, and that passion for spreading laughter and joy eventually transitioned into the theater, where I could combine my vocal skills with my flair for the dramatic. As my experience grew, I came to really value not just the entertaining and comedic aspects of the craft, but the narrative potential; creating an emotionally charged and cathartic experience for an audience that simultaneously engages their mind and leaves them thinking long after the show is over.

OST: How did you end up interning here at Orlando Shakes?

JP: Both my brother and former college roommate interned as Actor/Educators at Orlando Shakes, so I was already very familiar with the program. I auditioned while visiting my friend and seeing him perform in Love’s Labour’s Lost.

OST: What’s the best part about teaching young performers?

JP: Young performers often have such a sincere enthusiasm for the work. In a professional world, it’s all too easy to become inundated with the “business” part of theatre (auditioning, social media presence, resume, cover letter, creating a website, having a proper headshot, etc). Young performers remind me of why I fell into this work in the first place; the joy of playing, creating, responding to your partner in the moment, and enjoying the connection between the actor and the audience.

Photo by Megan Pridemore features Joshua Parrott and Junior Nyong’o.

OST: What’s the best part about performing for young audiences?

JP: They are unapologetically honest in their responses, and they truly buy into the surrealism of the production. When I was in the cast of Showtime with Shakespeare: A Magic Tree House Adventure, the children would always vocally cry out in awe and wonder when Morgan La Fey magically vanished into the night, stunningly visualized by our impeccable lighting design. The children want to believe in the story that’s presented to them. During autographs after our Saturday Alexander shows, several young kids impulsively embraced me before leaving, saying “You had a bad day. You needed a hug.” I think we can learn a great deal from the honest emotional empathy of children.

OST: What advice would you give to a young person who wants to be an actor like you?

JP: Never lose the pleasure and fulfillment you find in your work. It’s not an easy or a straightforward career path, but it can be rewarding if you’re willing to put forth the effort and dedication. Most importantly, follow your heart. In the wise words of the highly acclaimed actor Jim Carrey, “You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.” If the love is indisputable, then it’s definitely worth the chance.

OST: What advice would you give to someone having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day?

JP: Take a deep breath in, and make a list of all the things you’re grateful for. Often times, the minor nuisances that burden our daily lives can clutter our minds to what’s really important and wholesome. It’s all too easy to feel overwhelmed or emotionally ostracized after a particularly troublesome day, but one has to remember that this is not a unique experience, but a human phenomenon that we all endure at one time or another. So, breathe. Hug a loved one and let them hug you back. Find something that makes you laugh! And find a reason to look forward to tomorrow. Yes, there’s no guarantee on how tomorrow will fare, but there is one constant: You, and how you choose to seize the day.

And, if all else fails, plan a trip to Australia!

OST: Anything to add?

JP: Come see Alexander! The show runs until May 5, 2018, with Saturday public performances at 2:00 PM! And don’t forget about our special Sensory Friendly performance and our ASL (American Sign Language) Shadow Interpreted Performance; visit the Orlando Shakes website for more information!