5 Questions with "TINA - The Tina Turner Musical's" Judith Franklin!
Kevin Ray Johnson
I would like you to meet Judith Franklin. Judith is currently performing in the ensemble of TINA - The Tina Turner Musical at The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway! In 2017 Ms. Franklin toured the country in "Motown the Musical" and in 2018 she made her Broadway debut in "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical". She has appeared on Television in "Sesame Street", Tyler Perry's "I Can Do Bad All By Myself", "Greenleaf" and on the big screen in "Super Intelligence" starring Melissa McCarthy. It was such a privilege to have the chance to interview such a talented and gifted artist!
1) How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?
I can’t really pinpoint the age, but I can remember inspiring moments before I hit my double digits. I looked to icons like Whitney Houston, Cheryl Pepsi Riley, and Mariah Carey for inspiration. I had also been dancing since I was 2 years old. It’s like there was this innate gift that made any stage feel like home. As far as those special moments I mentioned earlier, I remember singing with my sister in our backyard on the wooden deck that my father built. We had our karaoke machine and sang our hearts out as we would prepare for talent shows and showcases. Around that time, I remember being really passionate about learning songs, creating choreography, memorizing harmonies, playing the piano, and studying my inspirations.
2. Where did you study?
Are there any mentors that truly helped make you the performer you are today? I graduated with a B.A. in Theater from Clark Atlanta University. I received my diploma from Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. I also studied music in the magnet program at Johnston Middle School. At each stage of my education, I had mentors that really poured into me the meaning of hard work and the importance of music education. Two of my most influential mentors were Faye Volcy at Johnston Middle School and Carol Mitchell-Leon at Clark Atlanta University. These women taught me so much about being trained and skilled as an African-American performer.
3. Congratulations on TINA! Tina Turner is truly a Legend and Icon! How has your time been in the show?
My time in this show continues to be fulfilling. I don’t really have the words to describe it, but I’ll try my best. The cast and creative team are all incredible! I am so blessed to stand next to my castmates every night. They are all amazing people and brilliant performers. On top of that, my family has watched Tina Turner’s career over the years! We are fans of her work! In 2008, my sister and I surprised my Mom with tickets to see Tina Turner in concert at Phillips Arena in Atlanta, GA. Fast forward 11 years and they get to witness me on Broadway as part of the cast that tells her story! What an honor to be chosen to continue to carry on the legacy of Tina Turner. I wish I could bottle up this experience and give a sample to everyone I know.
4. Are there any shows that you have done in your career that will always be near and dear to your heart?
Honestly, I can’t say one show, in particular, has been the nearest and dear to my heart because they all have gifted me with some of the sweetest memories. I can say there is one life experience that served as a turning point for me and led me to where I am today. I’ll never forget the experience I had while working for Princess Cruises. Prior to working at Princess Cruises, I performed as a voiceover artist, commercial actor, and dancer. I had also done some professional theatre, but performing on the cruise ship really sparked the flame and desire for me to pursue musical theatre professionally. I knew from the moment I stepped on the stage at sea that I would merge all of my skills together. A magical moment on board the ship was more confirmation for me. A passenger requested to see me after a show and said, “You know you need to be on Broadway right?” It was almost like God sent an angel to confirm what I had been feeling.
5. What advice would you give young performers who want a career in this business?
I always urge young performers to respect themselves and respect their craft. This business requires lots of sacrifice, hard work, commitment, focus and faith. This career path is fun, but they need to understand that this career path is also a business. I encourage them to learn the business side as well as the performance side. It’s been said that performers are probably told “NO” more than any other profession in the world. With those odds of rejection, it’s important for young performers to keep a supportive and loving circle of family or friends near to encourage them to keep going. It’s a blessing to have motivating friends and family by your side in this industry. I tell them that their experience is their own and they should never compare their journey to anyone else’s. It’s great to be inspired by someone else’s accomplishments, but they should not measure their worth based on someone else’s journey. What is for them is for them, but they have to work hard to get where they want to be. I also encourage them to continue to remind themselves about their ‘why’ because their road probably won’t be a straight path. It will go up and down. When things are not going their way, they have to revert back to their ‘why,’ which means reminding themselves about why they love to do what they do and let that be their driving force to keep on keeping on. Lastly, be kind and remember no one is you and that is your power.
To learn more about Judith please visit her official website at - www.JudithFranklinOnline.com and to learn more about Tina please visit - www.tinaonbroadway.com