Ken Johnston wears a lot of hats—literally. Metal hats, felt hats, the kind of hats you would see someone wearing 200 years ago... He happens to be among those lucky actors whose passion projects double as a means to earn a living. Johnston spends his day producing historical-themed content for the Northeast Georgia History Center at Brenau University, where he serves as curator of education.
On any given day in Georgia, you can find Johnston creating videos for historical organizations or dressing up as George Washington to teach students about the American Revolution. Recently, for example, Johnston appeared in character as Benedict Arnold at The Museum School of Avondale Estates, a charter school committed to students who learn via real-life experiences.
“The blending of theater or drama with history,” says Johnston, “has always seemed a natural fit to me. I always look at history as stories about people doing things, versus an important date you need to remember or an overarching political theme of whatever period. When I was a kid and I first started reading history, it was because I thought they were stories!” In college the actor majored in theater and English, a path that naturally led him to Virginia’s Colonial Williamsburg. Honing his skills at the living history museum’s “Revolutionary City,” Johnston carved a niche for himself as a period performer.
So does an actor need to be working on Hollywood’s big-budget film and TV productions to get by? No, the history buff insists. “There is this whole [historical] genre where you can actually work. You can get meatier stuff through new media and do something interesting to boot.” Johnston is also quick to note that a way into SAG-AFTRA can be through these kinds of niche projects, of which there are more and more every day.
But he is especially fond of historical acting. At Renaissance fairs, where he cut his teeth earlier in his career, Johnston received the best possible training in improvisation.
“You’re in character for six hours,” he points out. “You need to know your character backwards and forwards and learn how to interact with your audience. In that sort of free-form environment, your improv skills and [knowledge of] history need to be on point.”
Johnston speaks of his recent work narrating “Brave and Hearty Troops,” the widely unknown story of three African-American men who served in the American Revolution. He worked alongside his friend and collaborator, Atlanta actor Jonathan Perkins, to tell an important story that “no one has ever heard,” he says. “The stories of old white guys are dated. This is an example of a complete opposite of a traditional narrative—real characters telling real stories.”
When asked what it’s like to be an employed actor in one of the country’s most active entertainment industries, Johnston says, “Like a lot of people, I left Atlanta. I’ve been in D.C. and other markets for years. I went to L.A. My experience was I was getting work but it was no different from the work I was getting in Atlanta. I was paying three times the cost of living and having 10 times the frustration. The frustrations I have can now be translated into my own projects. I am not knocking anyone who goes to L.A., but as a home base, Atlanta is pretty solid.”
The Northeast Georgia History Center is now accepting headshots and résumés for ongoing theatrical shows, as well as upcoming new media productions that will begin shooting this summer. To apply, check out this casting notice!
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