For The Observer

Northwest Mississippi Community College’s new Fine Arts technical director, Joel King, 26, of Purvis, Miss., is settling into the position with ease, thanks to his wealth of knowledge in theatre.

King graduated from William Carey University in Hattiesburg with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and also has a master of fine arts degree from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. While at Michigan State, King worked as a graduate assistant teaching acting I and II, and conducted various workshops on movement and acting 

techniques.

King also worked as technical director at Carey Dinner Theatre in Hattiesburg and William Carey University. As technical director, he was in charge of the scenery shop and construction crew, lighting, sound and scenic design.

Aside from being skilled in technical aspects of theatre, King has experience working on stage. His first role was as an antagonist in his high school’s production of “The Diary of Anne Frank.”

“After the play, everyone came up to me and said they were blown away by my portrayal of a not-so-great character,” King said. “I enjoy playing challenging roles because they are the most rewarding.”

King considers himself a character actor and prepares for a role by analyzing the text—looking for clues in the character’s words.

“I work a lot physically and psychologically to get into character,” he said. “My most 

memorable role as an actor was my portrayal of Caliban in William  Shakespeare's play ‘The Tempest.’ I had to physically transform myself. It was the role that required the most energy.”

In preparation for King’s thesis role in Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” at Michigan State, he was awarded a $4,000 grant to study abroad in London and Greece. Focus through the trip was directed toward studying the cultures surrounding classical theatre, specifically Shakespeare, with the aim to better understand the world of Shakespearean theatre and performance.

During the 13-day trip, King stayed eight days in London studying at the Globe Theatre and five days in Greece studying classical theatre. The trip was documented, and he was required to write a report about his experience.

“The primary thing I took away from the trip was the fearlessness of the English actors in Shakespearean text and the way they included the audience in their performance,” King said. “I was able to incorporate this fearlessness and taking chance into my thesis.

 “What I like most about theatre it that it gives me the chance to express my inner most thoughts and desires in a concrete, artistic way,” he added. “A lot of people think of theatre as a means of escape, but to me it is my daily life—a facet to express myself.”

King, who joined the Northwest staff in January, is in charge of organizing events in the Fine Arts Auditorium and serves as shop foreman.

“I am in charge of technical set up for events in the auditorium including lights and sound,” he explained. “I am also head of the shop, and build things used in different productions.”

King’s other responsibilities include working as an adjunct instructor and fight choreographer for the upcoming spring production of “West Side Story.”

Choreography for the production has been a challenge, according to King.

“I have never choreographed a fight with such a large number of actors, but everyone is really open and responsible,” King said. “They all want to learn and do the choreography safely.”

Adjusting to the move has been easy, he said.

“Everyone has treated me like family. The faculty and staff have been very positive. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

“My greatest accomplishment personally and as an actor was receiving my master’s degree,” King noted. “Professionally, my greatest accomplishment is starting a career at a strong community college with supportive faculty and staff.”

Northwest Mississippi Community College’s new Fine Arts technical director Joel King, (left) constructs a set piece to be used in the Fine Arts Auditorium on the Senatobia campus with the assistance of Nikki Campbell from Pope, a work-study student for the Theatre Department. (Photo by Brittany Greer)