We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Reginald Wilson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Reginald below.
Reginald , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
When I was a very young boy at the age of four, my mother had me perform a skit in church. I was very little as a toddler and my mother had me and my brothers do impersonations. My character was the incredible hulk. All I did was flex my muscles (or lack of) and the audience went wild. I still remember the instant gratification I felt and I loved it. Over the years I was always a part of the Easter and Christmas programs and my mother required me to learn speeches, plays, and Bible passages. Fast forward to my senior year of high school. My English class read the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. After reading we decided to mount the play to a full production. I was cast as Walter Lee Younger. When we performed in front of an audience, I once again felt the feeling that I felt performing the incredible hulk as a toddler. It was at this moment that my desire for a future changed. I changed my major for college from engineering to theatre.
Reginald , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Upon completion of high school, I started college at Florida A & M University. After a few weeks in school I realized that I was not mentally ready for college. I dropped out and enrolled in The United States Marine Corps. My recruiter was a member of my church and I begged him to push me through the process as fast as possible so that my father could not talk me out of joining. It took about three weeks and I was in boot camp. After finishing I re-enrolled in college, back at Florida A & M University, and declared my major in Theatre (Performance). I graduated undergrad and ten days later I was in graduate school at The University of Florida.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Graduate school was difficult for me. At times I was discouraged and believed that I had made a mistake by majoring in theatre. I am from a region in Florida that has a very southern accent. I was told by a professor that my accent would limit my work and that I may not be accepted in some circles. This placed a fear inside of me and a doubt that was difficult to overcome. I was constantly reminded of this, however, I persevered and finished the MFA program, One of my requirements was to complete an internship. The Late Great Woodie King Jr. invited me to intern with him and the New Federal Theatre in NYC, My life change during this internship. Mr, King mentored me and reignited the flame in me that initially started my quest to become an actor. One thing he said to me was to never lose my accent. Years later, I have won numerous acting awards in NYC and built a stellar acting resume.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I dream of Broadway and becoming a series regular. My difficulty with Broadway is that I don’t sing. This doesn’t stop my determination. I believe in my heart that there is a non-musical waiting for me. As for the series regular, my faith is set and I know that I am an audition away from this becoming a reality.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @1reggielee
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reginald.wilson.58
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginald-wilson-3913a35b/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@1reggielee
