Jonathan Majors on His Acting Approach - In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast

Jonathan Majors approaches every performance with a “tabula rasa,” or blank slate, mentality. “You do so much work creatively, emotionally, physically, spiritually, to prepare for the role,” he says. “But then when you get there, it’s go time.” And only with a strong foundation of training and life experience-knowing one’s craft and oneself-can “go time” be achieved on set.
Raised in Texas and discovering theater as a creative outlet while a teenager, Jonathan studied acting at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Yale School of Drama. Since his big Hollywood break on the limited series #WhenWeRise, he’s appeared in films “Hostiles,” “White Boy Rick,” “Out of Blue,” “Captive State,” “Gully,” “Jungleland,” and the award-winning “The Last Black Man in San Francisco.” This year he starred in Spike Lee’s Netflix film about Black Vietnam war soldiers, “Da 5 Bloods,” and led Misha Green’s HBO horror drama #LovecraftCountry as Atticus “Tic” Freeman. Read more of Jonathan’s words here: bit.ly/36RFI46
Working actors should also stay tuned for audition prep tips from our casting insider, who also recommends Backstage’s guide on auditioning: bit.ly/3nGlK3j
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Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: bit.ly/2OMryWQ
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Special thanks to...
- Host: Jack Smart
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli
- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis

[@lucyrussell8806]

This interview with Jonathan is incredible. I was blessed to be able to teach Theatre to him in high school. He has always been such an intelligent, driven and hard working actor. All of his success is certainly well-deserved!!!

[@ovall_street]

I absolutely love him! He consistently drops gems in every interview.

[@lasshapafford]

Yes Jonathan!!! He's an alumni of UNCSA(my dream school which I will hopefully get in for my senior year).

[@megancaldwell3904]

Good luck!!

[@lasshapafford]

@@megancaldwell3904 thank you🤞🏾🤞🏾 I've know I wanted to go there since 6th grade(I'm in 10th) so I have no idea what I'm gonna do if I don't get in lol

[@jacksonperry9862]

That's dope! I'm currently in the hs drama program at uncsa, if you ever want to talk about it, you can reach out to me on instagram @jk.perry

[@MyGeneral20]

Did you get in??

[@lasshapafford]

@@MyGeneral20 yes I did, I'm actually in an academic class rn here at UNCSA

[@savionpolk]

The whole interview just gave me life 💪🏾💯

[@thee.amberb]

Love him! Wildly talented and this was great inspiration…

[@eliciaellis7428]

Thanks!Mr.Majors .Your definitive of your artistic journey was a big exhaling breath for me,as an artist in my field.

[@foreverkazi7748]

Know your craft! Work hard !

[@robynparker3214]

Very attractive man! ❤

[@foreverkazi7748]

excellent conversation for actors like myself

[@PrincessB013]

Amazing interview!

[@drizzydre.7849]

40:00 gold ⭐️

[@actionjackson811]

Yep

[@poohbear9174]

👏🏿👏🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@Chris-sj1jz]

How do you have 7 minutes of fluff at the beginning of every interview?

[@WiLyO8]

✊☝️✌️✨

[@watchmyepics]

Which institute is he speaking of at 21:50 sounds like Chicago?? Where u got principle leads

[@TheJoker718]

I think it's Chautauqua Theater Company

[@shoncurtis7318]

What song was he speaking about?

[@CaramelMsDelight]

This interview was so helpful and informative both as an artist and as a person!! 🙏🏽🤎🤎

[@HMNUM12Trillion290]

the sissy sounds...