Artistry is an exciting field. The many ranges and possibilities are endless.
Joel King is the best definition of “endless possibilities”. With a resume that includes; acting, music, directing, producing, and more, it’s no wonder he’s been on our big screens so many times. Recently while prepping for his upcoming stage play, Joel was able to speak with FEMI Magazine and deliver some inside scoop.
FEMI Magazine (Mo Clark): When you were growing up, was it always your desire to enter in to the acting and film industry?
JOEL KING: I can say that when I was officially introduced to it, I knew. I knew my artistry, first, as a visual artist, so I was not as familiar with the performing arts part of myself. It was when my school brought multiple performing artists to perform, that I was connected. I even remember telling myself, “I want to do this one day”.
FEMI: The acting realm can be very exciting, yet very dangerous. We’ve had actors portray a dark role and actually need to seek therapy afterward. How do you navigate through this?
JOEL: My mom was adamant in the detoxing process. One of the ways is relaxation. The second is meditation and lastly, connecting with friends and family in a real way that aids in recalibrating your state and way of being.
FEMI: You’ve been able to portray several characters. What would you say was one of your most memorable roles that really showed your range?
JOEL: I played Mister in The Color Purple. I was a bit intimidated by this role because it’s so far from my everyday construct of self.
FEMI: Not only are you an actor, but you’re a writer, director, performer, producer, composer, and model. You wear many hats. Even though those things all tie in together; what would you say is your favorite part?
JOEL: My most favorite part is directing and composing music.
FEMI: When you think of your journey thus far, what would you say was one major challenge you faced? How did you navigate through it?
JOEL: I have been faced with a plethora of challenges; however, my most strenuous to date was when I lost my leading male character two days before the show, Stand Your Ground. In a typical setting, I would just step in and do it myself, but because this was the role for a white male actor in a drama, this was totally out of my wheelhouse.
FEMI: Let’s get into the formation of your theatre companies, JPEK CreativeWorks and NewWorks. What led you to start these entities and take it to the next level?
JOEL: It began as a hunch after graduating from college. I said to my friend and roommate at the time, “I want to make money”, so I pulled a show that I wrote when I was 16, and developed it for full production. It was this inclination that drew me to starting a theater company. My first show was “A Mother’s Cry”. From this experience, I learned the power of my writing and directing. It shifted the energy in the room and was transformational and even healing for people. I knew that I had something that was more than just making money. It was saving lives. In coming to Atlanta, I thought it would be a better location to expand and grow my endeavor on a national to international level, coming from St. Louis where we had some major successes.
FEMI: In a world of social media there are literally so many overnight celebrity stories. What would you say the industry is missing or what areas need improvement?
JOEL: The industry is missing the point and purpose of content and entertainment. It’s not only to provoke but to teach and apply. This is what the stories of our yester years would do. It inspired, aspired, and motivated change that was relevant to our purpose, especially as people of color. We are not at a point of consistency in our mentality that we can be so careless with the content that we produce. Society is still teaching us how to coexist in a world that’s still trying to equalize the playing field, and when presenting content that either feeds on the narrative of the downtrodden negro or the gangsta negro, we are working against the plan of true prosperity.
FEMI: You have so many upcoming projects. Tell our readers what you’re currently working on.
JOEL: Currently, there’s Respect My Shoes, a collab project to introduce me as a director, producer, and writer, even though I co-wrote this show along with the creator and writer, Phoenix Bell.
FEMI: What keeps you motivated?
JOEL: I believe in what I’m doing and what it’s supposed to do on a massive scale. We haven’t gotten there yet, but there is an extremely large pinnacle of success that awaits me. I also believe in being a conduit to what will create bigger platforms for others while simultaneously becoming this larger platform myself. I want to be a part of who is delivering relative content that is moving the societal needle in a positive manner, globally.
FEMI: What advice would you give to those wanting to start in this field?
JOEL: My advice is to stay true to your wants, but also be clear as to why you want what you want. In the words of a close friend, “Learn how to live your most effective self, first”. To do that, it’s important to live in your awareness. Die empty.
Are you motivated? As you can see it’s possible to wear many hats and be successful. We love to see it. If you’re ever feeling bombarded or as though you’re doing too much, just remember you weren’t given these gifts and talents to just not use them. Stay focused and stay motivated. The world is your stage, take it one script at a time.
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