Living and breathing art

If you have asked yourself that question then you are in great company.

I wanted to give you as detailed account of my journey as possible, because and perhaps it will inspire you to see what is possible.

Here goes… I was born in Lisbon, Portugal and arrived in the UK, London to be exact, sometime around winter at the age the age 4. It was cold — that much I can tell you. That change of surrounding formed a certain point of view — very useful for an actor — having a specific point of view. I lived in Camden Town, London and that has added a certain quality to me personal history — some good some … interesting.

What does this have with being an actor? Well let’s see how the plot develops.

My formal education was around Camden and Islington schools and one word will suffice — tough. There was no acting, very little art, but a lot of music and football — I didn’t know how lucky I was but school was still — tough.

Along that journey I tried to fit in and do what is right. ‘How did that go for you Joe?’ I hear you asking. It didn’t. Along my journey — I had stumbled along something called DJ’ing and did that for a while. I worked with others and can safely say that I can throw down a mix as good as the next DJ. As you can see — the performer in me was taking shape. But the bell of ‘fitting in’ still was tolling. So I did what — tried to fit in. You can see where this is heading, right?

On my journey of trying to do what was right all I did was — not so right. To the point of I had really lost my identity, my colour, my flavour. So then desperation takes over, knowing that you are a creative being living in a non creative existence does not make for a very comfortable life. I took a massive action. I looked at a course – just like you — I looked for a “way out” — little did I know — where that journey would take me. I took a once a week evening acting course. Yeah — that cliche is me. I took a night course — for 6 weeks. The teacher was very kind and supportive. When the course ended she took me aside and said; ‘You need to go here’ and handed a piece of paper — it said Lee Strasberg Studio London. I’d heard of this person, but only in general terms and through the class I’d taken. I put the paper in my pocket. Didn’t think anything of it.

I went back to trying to ‘fit in’… I just want to say that there’s nothing wrong with doing a job that you like, or that pays the bills or is a vocation — in fact I want people to do what is right for them — but its not what was “right” for me and let me add I’ve done many jobs that were about paying the bills and did them extremely well — but if there is a feeling that is something else inside you then I believe that you should follow that at whatever level fulfils you.

I took a breath and took an action — I knew that I would be ridiculed and would have conversations like “Who do you think you are?” ‘AN ACTOR??!!!” both inside my head and outside obstacles… but I took a step and walked into the Strasberg Institute an asked about doing a course… I auditioned. I got in and reader let me tell you… It was mostly terrifying, exhilarating, other worldly and just felt… right. I gave up my job and worked on my craft. I had no independent finance so founded everything myself but I knew this was part of my journey tot he self and what a journey its been. I absorbed and worked with as many teachers as I could. However, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t throw in some swagger; after studying for a period of time, about 6 months, I thought id start my own theatre company… so I did. I put on plays by John Patrick Shanley, Christopher Hampton, David Mamet, Shakespeare, Ariel Dorfman, Arthur Miller and many more. Hand to mouth productions, but it taught me so much. it made me realise I needed more… More knowledge of acting. I wanted greater understanding of technique, deeper wisdom of self, of the craft, of its history, of my relationship to it and ultimately to creativity.

I went on a bit of a hunt and sourced outstanding teachers like; Andy Lucas who is a complete master of Stanislavski System, amongst so many other skills that I acquired from him. I moved my ass to New York and worked with Tony Greco who is the beacon of light for all things method acting, who helped me inmeausrably to “get out of my head” and sooo much more. I came back to London — put on more plays — mastered the art of stage work, still all the while looking for more technique, more craft, greater technique. I then went and started working with a coach called Jean Fennell who worked with Sandford Meisner technique — I don’t know how long we worked together for but its safe to say that it was a true revelation. I was truly blessed to have been gifted these actor warriors and all that they have taught me. ‘But, wait I hear you say … Joe – what about the acting?”

Yes, what about it. You see – all this lead to me working as an actor, as a director and as a coach. “What work?’ I hear you ask.