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With numerous dream roles on her theatrical wish list, Jessica Johnson knows each occasion to contribute to a production will prepare her for prominence. Since early November, the 25-year-old has been gaining priceless experience as an ensemble understudy and extra in “Elf,” the Walnut Street Theatre’s latest Christmas extravaganza.
“This is the spot that feels the most like home, so I’m thrilled to be involved with the show,” the resident of the 400 block of Tasker Street said last week from the historic playhouse, which is staging the musical through Jan. 5. “Musical theater can be intimidating, but I have to learn to continue doing what frightens me and come not to judge myself, as I’m my harshest critic. The New York Times has nothing on me.”
The Dickinson Square West dweller earned her educational opportunity in part due to another formative adventure, a nine-month acting apprenticeship at the venue. That stint, which she completed in May, included playing a charwoman and the Ghost of Christmas Past in “A Christmas Carol,” duties that yielded a Florida trip for filming of the Comcast Holiday Spectacular now viewable in Center City through New Year’s Day. In moving from a 19th-century tale of transformation to a contemporary take on goodwill, she is furthering her interpretation of the ever-subjective task of “making it” as a performer.
“You do have to define your own version of great,” Johnson said of appreciating her craft. “With the Walnut, I’m around so many talented people who create such a comfortable environment that I’m coming to believe in myself more fully.”
That process has found the actress and self-confessed “mover” pushing herself to become a better dancer. Though her reflexes require remedying, Johnson has already perfected the realization of what positivity will yield. Deriving diligence courtesy of her faith, she believes she will gain solid footing literally and figuratively by remaining true to herself.
“There’s rejection everywhere,” she said, “but instead of obsessing over what we have within us, we need to realize we’re good enough. We can become better, definitely, but who we are is just fine, too.”
In bringing that vibe to “Elf,” the 2010 Broadway-debuting adaptation of the ’03 film starring Will Ferrell, she acknowledged that while engaged in most thespians’ eventual chore of having to pay dues, she is taking the initiative by contemplating herself as a leader in the acting community, which she deems an especially compelling assignment because of her race.
“I think the African-American female performance pool is underrepresented,” Johnson said of a noticeable aspect of Philadelphia’s theater scene. “I have to set everything like that and other obstacles aside and press on because the Lord helps those who help themselves.”
While many of her peers have spent great portions of their lives addressing audiences, the local presence counts as a relative newcomer in the field, not having acted until her sophomore year at her native Virginia’s James Madison University. Entering the institution undeclared, she had believed political science might foster her professional existence, but upon her gradual introduction to the world of script appreciation and execution, she had a “That’s all she wrote” moment that rendered other pursuits baseless.
“It was the first time I had a feeling that if I don’t do this, I’m not going to be sure which direction to follow or path to take,” Johnson said, with her debut role as Susan in “Bobrauschenbergamerica” bringing her a nomination for the California-based Irene Ryan Scholarship competition three years ago.
Realizing her passion, she began the intoxicating mission to reach the place where she and her characters collide to offer patrons an intense look at how people, regardless of background, education, socioeconomic status or other details, can relate to one another. Her enthusiasm guided her through numerous shows at James Madison, including “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” in which she portrayed Banquo and Lady Macduff.
“Even with that exposure, I had my doubts about myself,” Johnson said, noting that a theater-free period in Spain to complete her minor in the nation’s mother tongue helped her to acquire peace. “However, life is short, and you have to live it.”
Graduating in May of last year, she performed in France’s Avignon Theatre Festival as Beatrice in “Servant of Two Masters,” subsequently settling in South Philly to tackle her apprenticeship. Deeming the Walnut a marvelous location for providing tutelage, she loves that it keeps her from feeling stagnant and encourages her to enhance her delivery, which she will do with more training. Fond of the sentiment “Life is an occasion; rise to it” from the ’07 movie “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium,” she contends that her rising will include a reduction in timidity and the addition of even more ambition. Following “Elf,” she will work on those endeavors with the Philadelphia Artists’ Collective in its production of “Mary Stuart.” With graduate school, time charming viewers in New York City and desired participation in works such as “Stick Fly, “A Raisin in the Sun” and anything by Stephen Sondheim on her mind, she knows her self-critiques will likely never wither but will receive strong rebuttals from her aspiring soul.
“I demand more of myself,” Johnson said. “I’d like to think my career has nowhere to go but up.”
For tickets, visit walnutstreettheatre.org.
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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