Lawrence R. Johnson, Atlanta BookPAL Since 2004
Congratulations to Mr. Lawrence Johnson for being honored as Atlanta BookPAL of the Month for March 2008!
Lawrence R. Johnson, Atlanta BookPAL Since 2004
Larry’s love of performing started when his high school French teacher asked him to try out for the Senior Class Play that she was directing. ‘Voulez vous jouer avec moi?’ or something like that. Starring as George Gibbs in Our Town created footlight lust and he wanted to change his major from engineering to acting. His parents convinced him (whips, chains, cat o’nine tails) to continue his technical studies and he distinguished himself in the world of computer nerds.
Stricken again, Larry auditioned and was accepted into Players Workshop of the Second City. The Chicago Sun-Times review of his performance as Mark Twain: ‘…recall a young Bob Newhart’ precipitated thoughts of kicking the corporate yoke. But mortgages, credit card balances and expensive toys kept him in golden handcuffs. Community playhouses, dinner theaters, comedy videos and open-mic nights at Boston’s comedy clubs kept him going until an early retirement package and a very supportive wife allowed him to pursue his love full time.
Larry has done commercials for Chevrolet, NBC and Bank of America, and has been in the nationally-released films "Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius," "Gospel," "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," as well as "The Signal," "Asking Jenny," "Cold Cuts," "Strange Tales of Matrimony," and "Just Asking for It." He has appeared as a supernumerary (Latin for self-propelled scenery) for Atlanta Opera Company’s production of Aida. You can keep track of his new career at: www.LawrenceRJohnson.com.
Lawrence has been a BookPAL since 2004 and currently reads at Norcross Elementary School. He also teaches English as a Second Language at a church in Norcross.
Please join me in congratulating Mr. Lawrence Johnson for his enthusiasm and dedication to the Atlanta BookPALS Program!
Cindy Tinius
Atlanta BookPALS Coordinator
BookPALS
http://www.bookpals.net/content/article.php?story=20080331122519358