My reverse psychology advice is that you quit. If you don’t listen, you just might be an actor.
I was always the class clown. Moving around a lot as a youth and constantly being the new kid, I learned early that my sense of humor was a way of getting “fast friends”. But quickly my sense of humor mixed with my uncertainty about life and family led me to take “class clown” to the next level which created a disruptive environment at school. I always had the gift of listening and/or reading things and it sticking in my mind. In HS at Frederick Douglass Academy, I was failing Ms. Turner-Stevens class and so for extra credit, (in order to pass) I was assigned as her “helper” in an after-school production of “Gabriel’s Horn”.
I was at all of the many rehearsals and when the lead actor, Joannes Prosper, couldn’t do the final production Ms. Turner-Stevens somehow knew that I knew the lines. I dreamed of being an actor before; late nights watching movies. My next door neighbor was Barbara Montgomery and I would walk her dog and talk about acting, but it wasn’t until I did this play that I was bit by the serious acting bug and willing to do the work for it. After that, I did an internship at Bay Street theater, and went to college for Theater and Writing at St. Lawrence University. I’ve done off Broadway plays, was an active member of the NEC and continue to take classes to this day. Currently, I’m doing improvisation at the UCB and the PIT.
@ohenecornelius out here working! #sexlessseries alright Aldis! Lol pic.twitter.com/LTeBcwtAtN
— Mafa Madamagic (@LaNomRah) November 8, 2015
Did you study acting
I have studied acting and continue to study. I have read a lot of books and have watched a lot of films and tv. Ironically nowadays I don’t watch as many movies or tv anymore only because my critical eye has increased making me more cognizant of the information I want to take into my brain.
The point that sticks out in my studies as an actor at St. Lawrence University was the first of two times I have been fired. We were doing a production of “Noises Off”. I was cast as Selsdon an aging actor with a memory problem. The director of the play, who was also a teacher, got another job at another university and left in the middle. I don’t know what it was about me that rubbed this old white woman the wrong way, but to her I just wasn’t working hard enough for her (I knew my lines, I made my entrances, but something about me she didn’t like). She fired me. I was devastated. I had been making breakthroughs in the character, in my school work, and in my personal life, but for her I wasn’t giving her what she wanted. That was my first lesson, even though I’ve learned it in other ways after to “not take it personal”. I could’ve looked like her cheating X-husband. I could’ve smelled funny to her.
Either way I was going to continue. I then was cast in a version of Marisol (which got a bunch of flack on campus because it was the closest thing we had to an ethnic production and was cast all white) as a bum who laid under a sheet for literally the whole first act until the last minute. I did one show and walked off. My biggest lesson at St. Lawrence was don’t let anyone decide your fate. Work with others, be happy, be human, be yourself but don’t think for a second being fired or walking away determines your full future. Out of all these productions and plays, it seems I’m the only one still going. It’s not because I’m this amazingly talented and accomplished NY actor, but because I believe, I write and I go at it with an unrelenting persistence, because if it’s not this role it’s the next. And if it’s not the next, I’ll write it for myself, until the next.
What acting technique do you use
In terms of acting technique I utilize whatever gets me there when I need it. Like I said, I read a lot and I’ve studied many types and styles of acting. Uta Hagen, Brecht, Kazan, Susan Batson, Dell Close. I am never using solely one style for a particular performance. Sometimes I dig down deep to a memory that will evoke tears, sometimes I just stop blinking until my eyes water and use facial expressions to double down on that eye water.
I’ve performed Shakespeare in London, studied at the university of Westminster and I’ve also had to talk my way out of a traffic ticket. For me my strongest ally is knowing archetypes. We then have expectations of a certain psychological norm that we as human beings agree upon and I can make a conscious effort to either follow that norm or break it.
What wrong impressions do actors hold about acting
I do not, I repeat DO NOT even think about the impression people have about actors. One, I’m not just an actor; I’m a father, musician, lover, clothing designer and maybe not all of those things at once or in the traditional sense, but I am those things. I don’t have to be bogged down by people’s impression of me unless it’s whether I’m a good person or not in their eyes and that has nothing to do with my perception. I guess that’s what people get wrong.
All actors fit into this type and if they are not that they don’t exist. I know drug addict actors and I know actors who have never touched drugs. I know some who are trying to impress their father’s and some who are trying to look for a spouse who’s creative. Every actor like a snowflake is different. The one thing that is common for those who are successful is consistency and dedication. Whatever it is you do; Comedy, drama, or scifi and building good relationships. Acting is NOT a spiritless way of getting money, or “out the hood”. Acting is NOT a short cut.
What actors do you long to work with
Idris Elba is the name of that first actor that I want to work with. One, because it would give me cool points with the ladies if I can play his brother or something in a flick and we know if the ladies support you, you are going to be alright. Secondly, and more importantly he reminds me of myself in the sense that he’s able to play working class or upper crust, while having a sensibility to be vulnerable. I would also put Edward Norton in this category.
What advice would you give to actors
I’ll give you my old reverse psychology answer. My advice to actors is to quit. People will only tell you that you are not good enough, tall enough, handsome/ugly enough and or not right for the road. If you don’t listen to me, you just might be an actor. No one can talk me down off this ledge. If it’s not for millions on the silver screen, I’ll be doing school plays, and house plays. I do it because I love it. If and when I get paid according to my time and dedication I will be thankful that my cake has icing, but this is a cake I made
Briefly write about your career
Roles that have changed my life: Although every role is an added pebble in the ocean of my rippling career these roles, I either specifically enjoyed, brought me the most money, or people still talk about to this day.
Malcolm – Brokeology (Kitchen Theatre Production of a complex character. It reinforced my ability to play high brow, complex characters)
Blind John – Moving On (Negro Ensemble Company – the sequel to Leslie Lee’s “Colored People’s Time” that was never published)
Omar – Blindspot (I got to be apart of something new and huge in the TV realm)
Thug 2 – Kick Ass (They paid me, took care of me, and made me realize that the overall production is not about me and that I needed to “wash my ass” in terms of working with people)
SET – Auction Block to Hip Hop (A play I felt was never given enough time because their more popular play “Platanos & Collard Greens” – which I was also in – about a Hip Hop mogul who sells out intentionally to make money)
Father – just being a father to my son has been the greatest role of my life
Ohene K. Cornelius (born June 28th, 1982) Is an American born actor musician and graduate of St Lawrence university with a degree in both acting and writing. He first came to attention for his stand out scenes in “Kick Ass” as the laugh inducing bully that ends up hospitalizing the title character.
After coining the term MOViEO (Music Video Movie) defined as a brand of visual storytelling, Ohene has proven to be the consummate artist committed to joining the highest level of creativity and originality; utilizing his arsenal of singing, songwriting, and guitar while developing a strong and engaging online presence.
Now with a slew of viral internet content, substantial TV and film credits, plus collaborations with philanthropic organizations Ohene has become a staple in modern creative endeavors.
