Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucien Douglas.
Hi Lucien, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve acted professionally on Broadway, Off-Broadway, film, and television. I’m also a professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at The University of Texas at Austin where I am a proud honoree of the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. I teach all levels of acting—beginning, advanced, camera, and audition techniques. I’ve directed many UT Austin productions in the Department of Theatre and Dance, as well as in the UT Butler School of Music. I’ve also staged productions in Austin for St. Edward’s University, Southwestern University, and the Southwest Theatre Company. I hold a B.F.A. in Dramatic Arts from The University of Connecticut and a Ph.D. in Theatre from Michigan State University.
As a voice-actor, I can be heard as the lead villain “Ocean-Master” on the Aquaman interactive video game. And—from time-to-time—I have the privilege of presenting my one-man show “A Shadow Among Strangers—Performing the Life & Works of Edgar Allan Poe” to a variety of audiences: this is especially fun on Halloween for which we are planning another performance this year, October 31, 2021 at Chez Zee Gallery in Austin.
I’ve always enjoyed building things. I made most of the furniture in my New York studio apartment. Creativity and a commitment to excellence are in my DNA. Maybe that’s one of the reasons I like theatre: you go into a dark room and dedicate yourself to creating something that will touch a variety of people—that’s the magic of it. There’s a special reward in putting your personal stamp on a piece of work.
The first steps toward my professional career began the summer out of my junior year in college when I had the opportunity to play small roles at the Sharon Playhouse, a professional summer stock theatre in Connecticut. This was traditional summer fare—eight plays in eight weeks (rehearsing next week’s production during the day and performing the current week’s production at night!). The sixth production that summer was a witty, language-driven six-character British comedy (“Candida”) by the great Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. On Sunday afternoon, the actor playing the young leading man became ill, and I was asked to stand-in for the few remaining rehearsals. The play opened on Tuesday.
With no hesitation, I jumped in fearlessly.
After that Sunday night’s rehearsal, I drove the twenty-four miles back to my parent’s house. I closed three kitchen doors, moved furniture around to approximate the stage setting; and, between 12:00 midnight and 4:00 AM, I learned all of the lines for Act One and Act Two.
Next day—Monday, August 10—back to rehearsal at the Playhouse. I went through Acts 1 and 2 with no script in hand. The director was impressed, the other actors were more than supportive, and I was told that I would play the part—even if the original actor recovered. Okay! I drove the twenty-four miles back home, rearranged the kitchen once again, and from 12:00 midnight to 4:30 AM, I learned all of Act Three.
Next afternoon—Tuesday, August 11—was final dress rehearsal. After that, a sandwich and coffee. Then—8:00 PM—a performance for a full audience and critics, with me 48 hours into it and on stage with no script in hand. I can’t remember if I was frightened, after all, the entire production rested on my remembering my lines or falling apart. But I didn’t think about that—you don’t let obstacles get in your way; rather, you remain focused and you move forward. You do what needs to be done, moment-to-moment. I’ve no question that my die-hard attitude and the grace of God carried me through.
Six days later—Saturday night, August 15—it was over.
The experience was beyond description: I received exceptional reviews in all the press—better than if I had written them myself!
I now thought two things: 1) this was clearly a sign that I had “arrived,” and my career was off and running; or, 2) this was a sign that I might arrive, but I would need this experience as an inspiration to keep me focused through the inevitable highs and lows that laid ahead.
A year later, I returned to the Sharon Playhouse as young leading man: of all the productions that summer, it was a special treat to play twin brothers in a stylish French comedy with the now late Warner Brothers character actor Melville Cooper playing my butler (among his many Hollywood credits, the Sheriff of Nottingham opposite Errol Flynn in “The Adventures of Robin Hood”).
Then off to New York. Professionally, I was fortunate to work on Broadway (there’s no greater thrill for an actor than opening night on Broadway), Off-Broadway, several regional theatres, film, television, and a lot of voice-acting. When necessary, I took a variety of survival jobs, including bartending in a chic, new Italian restaurant on the upper east side.
In addition to all this, I’ve always enjoyed the opportunity to teach: some of my most rewarding experiences were summers teaching at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. I also served as a guest artist, directing theatre productions at The Juilliard School, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, and Penn State University. Then, after some twenty years in the business, I decided to pursue something that had simmered on the back of my mind for as many years—a Ph.D. Degree in Theatre. Yes, it was a little scary to return to the classroom as a student! But shortly after completion, my efforts proved their worth. I landed quite happily in the highly ranked Department of Theatre and Dance at The University of Texas at Austin—my current position.
This brings me to two achievements for which I am especially proud.
First, academically, I’ve maintained my goal to help bridge the gap between university theatre training and the professional industry, thereby jump-starting young acting careers. I was instrumental in spearheading the development and creation of a distinguished Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting degree at The University of Texas at Austin. The program boasts a professionally oriented curriculum in actor training for undergraduate students. It addresses the needs of the many talented young actors in Texas (and throughout the country), preparing them for the rigors of pursuing a career in theatre, film, and television. Unique to this program, senior B.F.A. acting students spend their spring semester taking their remaining twelve credit hours in professional studios in Los Angeles. There they work with some of the finest instructors known to the industry, including six credit hours at the Howard Fine Studio under master teacher Howard Fine (credited as being the top acting coach in Los Angeles). The University of Texas Los Angeles (UTLA) B.F.A. in Acting Program culminates with a digital presentation of scenes showcasing each actor’s talents and is distributed to industry professionals nationwide. We have graduated five classes since the program’s 2013 inception, and most students have secured management and talent agency representation. Many have been working continuously in film, television, and on stage, including principal roles on a number of productions, such as the “Panic” (Amazon Prime), “Raising Dion” (Netflix), and “Power Rangers” (Nickelodeon).
Secondly, closer to my work as a professional actor, of all that I have done, I am especially proud of a solo performance piece that I created—”A Shadow Among Strangers: Performing the Life and Works of Edgar Allan Poe.” Intrigued by Poe’s stories, poems, letters, and troubled life, I wanted to create a production that might surprise the audience by revealing the lonely, desperate, romantic soul behind the ghoulish tales for which Poe is so well known. I wrote, designed, directed, and have performed this piece around Texas and in New York; I intend for it to have a long life.
To keep all this in perspective, I get out into the fresh air and sunshine as much as possible, biking generally twelve miles four times per week.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Every profession has its challenges and obstacles. In acting the greatest is fear of failure, fear that you aren’t enough. Should I just give up? The trick here is not to become one’s own obstacle. The very idea of being an actor is a challenge. The number of actors far outweighs the number of available roles. Every audition is a “job interview.” And actors get more rejections than acceptances. That can be very deflating, and you have to find a way not to take rejection personally. You have to believe in yourself and remain focused. Loss of vision and determination will quickly undermine one’s self-confidence. The answer lies in taking stock in yourself—knowing who you are and what you can do: then, go and do it. It’s really a lot like athletics: you have to stay fit—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Keep training, keep refining your craft. Yes, I do believe it’s that simple. Don’t hang out waiting for the phone to ring. Don’t get lazy. Don’t get distracted. Don’t wait for someone to ask you to act; rather, create your own work. The need to generate opportunities for oneself—that’s what’s happening now.
I can honestly say that I’ve never let obstacles impede me; I’ve always kept moving forward. I hope that doesn’t sound arrogant, but it has seemed to work out for me. A river takes many directions on its journey to the sea.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m happy to offer career advice and to do audition coaching online via Zoom. And support me? Perhaps consider bringing me in to perform my one-man show “A Shadow Among Strangers—Performing the Life & Works of Edgar Allan Poe.”
Contact Info:
- Email: lucien.douglas@yahoo.com
- Website: www.LucienDouglas.com
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lucien.douglas.9
Image Credits
Headshots by Kathy Whittaker Photography, Austin, Texas Poe performance photos by Matthew Smith, Design & Creative Technology Professor, University of Texas at Austin
