By Rosalind Russell – A Manitoulin Island actor is receiving accolades for an appearance on a popular Prime Video series but is not standing on that achievement.
Fifty-three-year-old Johnathan Fisher of Wiikwemkoong has been acting since being a part of the Debahjehmujig (DEB-bah-jah-mah-jig) Theatre when he was 18.
He told The Moose he usually focuses on stage work and has taken part in many productions over the years, but was thrilled to be part of “It, Welcome to Derry”, a series running on Prime based on the Stephen King book, IT.
An American production, it was filmed primarily in Greater Toronto, Port Hope and Hamilton.
Fisher played an audience member in the film as part of a scene where Indigenous leaders are discussing the military wanting to buy their land.
Fisher says that was a different experience because where actors have an entire stage with audience in live theatre, while the camera is totally focused on that one moment in time when filming.
He returns to the stage this Spring in ‘Rose’, a play from nationally recognized Indigenous playwright Tompson Highway, who presented Rez Sisters and Dry Lips Ought To Move to Kapuskasing.
The musical is set to premiere on April 4th at the National Art Centre in Ottawa with Fisher playing the strong male lead in the play which revolves around three women called the Roses.
Fisher thanks everyone, especially The Creator, for letting him share his talents on stage and behind the camera.
Rose is part of Highway’s acclaimed “rez” cycle and is set on the fictional Wasaychigan Hill Reserve.
The story revolves around three Roses who have different life paths and the community they represent.
The musical is supported by the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund, TO Live, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
It: Welcome to Derry is an American supernatural horror television series based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel It. Serving as a prequel to the films It (2017) and It Chapter Two (2019), the series was developed by Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti and Jason Fuchs, all of whom were involved in the It films.
Photos provided by Johnathan Fisher and used with permission.
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