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How John McGinty Got On Broadway
For today’s episode, I got to sit down with a friend I made my Broadway debut with—actor John McGinty! Although I met John during my first show, Our Town was actually his third Broadway credit after making his debut in 2018’s revival of Children of a Lesser God. Our conversation ranged from advocating for yourself as an actor, dissecting the lyrics to Beyoncé’s “Listen,” and the current state of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility practices in commercial theatre.
John did not set out to be an actor in his youth. Being deaf, theatre wasn’t something he immediately saw himself being a part of. When he did get the opportunity to be a part of the Broadway community, he still faced challenges, as his first role was one that required him to use his speaking voice. As a deaf person in a heavily audio-centric industry, he’s found ways to advocate for himself and find co-conspirators in making these spaces more inclusive and accessible. His journey reminds us that as a community, we need to continue to encourage each other to really think outside the box. We are more than capable.
What We Learned (Or Were Reminded Of)
⭐️ Accessibility is nonnegotiable.
⭐️ Being able to live in the moment is a gift.
⭐️ Be messy.
⭐️ Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself.
⭐️ If you are in a room, you’re there for a reason.
John seems to be very sure of who he is. When I had the chance to watch John perform 8 times a week, it was always very clear how resilient and determined he was. I find it hard to believe that acting isn’t something he was immediately called to as a kid, because how passionate he is about the work was always abundantly clear. Our conversation reminded me that as theatremakers, it’s important for us to examine the environments we inhabit and consider how equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility benefit us all.
“Now is the time to shift things up, because we have stories to tell.”
—John McGinty
Check out this week’s episode to hear all about How John McGinty Got On Broadway.
— uchenna agbu 💫
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