Jay can currently be seen in the debut of Ryan Scott Oliver's 35MM: A Musical Exhibition on March 7 & 12, 2012 at the Galapagos Art Space in Dumbo, Brooklyn (16 Main Street, Brooklyn NY 11201) at 8pm (Doors open at 7pm).

Cast of 35MM: A Musical Exhibition
L to R: Betsy Wolfe, Alex Brightman, Lindsay Mendez
Jay Armstrong Johnson, Ben Crawford

1. Who or what inspired you to become a performer? When I was four years old, I have a very distinct memory of seeing Aladdin doing back flips in a Disney on Ice show in Dallas, and I realized those were actual people, and not just cartoon characters.

2. Who haven't you worked with that you would like to? To be the most cliché actor ever, I wanna work with Meryl Streep. There, I said it.

3. What attracted you to 35MM: A Musical Exhibition? The music. It is such an eclectic piece in its musical stylings, and to be able to transition from a folk ballad to a Cajun Gospel chorus to a rock tune in one evening of theatre feels special.

4. What do you hope audiences come away with after seeing the show? I hope they come away with a new perspective on how they individually interpret art. What we are doing is confusing and poignant and scary and seemingly pretentious, but it's all inspired.

5. What do you identify most with 35MM: A Musical Exhibition and in performing Ryan's music? I identify with the story telling. It is poetry at it's finest. The music is always incredible, but the words within the music are powerful and smart. Ryan makes it hard not to identify with each piece.

6. What's your favorite part of the rehearsal/preview period in a show? The collaboration is my favorite part. Putting together any show is a nerve racking and strenuous process, but when you find the finished product you can't help but be thankful for the blood sweat and tears it took to get you there.

7. Where is your favorite place to rehearse on your own? I don't have a favorite place to rehearse per se, but a subway platform is a fantastic place to "rehearse." Sure, you're that guy, but at least you'll know your shit.

8. The two shows I have seen you in are HAIR and Wild Animals You Should Know. What did you enjoy most about being in these two shows? HAIR will alway have a special place in my heart because it was my Broadway debut, but more than that, it felt like a movement more than a job. I felt part of something electric and magical and learned more about myself than at any other time in my life.

Wild Animals felt like the antithesis to HAIR as I had to find the, for lack of a better word, evil part of myself to be able to do the best work I knew how. It helped that I was working with pros like Patrick Breen and Alice Ripley. I really learned a lot from them.

9. What have you learned about yourself from being a performer? I have learned a lot about confidence. As long as I have done the work and prepared as much as I can, if I lead with confidence, I feel unstoppable.

10. What's the best advice you've ever received? My very first professional show when I was 13 was Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby playing the role of "John Darling," and Cathy told me to never read my reviews.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? Uhhhh...I really don't know.

12. Favorite way to spend your day off? Late brunch, leisurely walk, jazz music while I spot clean the apt, favorite TV show or a good movie, cook an extravagant dinner, pass out.

13. Favorite way to stay in shape? Yoga.

14. Boxers or Briefs? Briefs.

15. Superman or Wonder Woman? Superman.

16. If you could have any super power, which one would you choose? To fly.

Jay Armstrong Johnson
Wild Animals You Should Know Opening Night
Photo Courtesy of Jay Armstrong Johnson's Social Media