John Johnston
Artistic Director - Actor - Writer
“…lets himself go, unleashes his inner id, and floats into the empyrean. It’s a marvelous and witty performance.” - Houston Press
John Johnston is a Houston-based actor, director, and writer
Living in Houston, Texas, J.J. is an award-winning artist who has performed on stages around the globe, as well as television and film. In addition to more than two decades of acting professionally, he is also the founder and Executive Artistic Director of the Classical Theatre Company. Now approaching its twentieth season, CTC is the only professional theatre company in Texas that solely produces year-round classical drama. He has also adapted and translated numerous scripts for the stage as well as writing several screenplays, comic books, and his novel, The River Walkers. Additionally, J.J. is an avid gamer who is the Dungeon Master for the Dungeons & Dragons actual play web series, To Be or RPG. He is married to his beautiful and talented wife, Lindsay Ehrhardt, an outstanding and award-winning actor in her own right.
Acting
“Johnston anchors the wild doings in reality as the bewildered Jasiu, amusingly pathetic as the eternal butt of destiny's joke.” - Houston Chronicle
“Johnston makes an amusingly determined, sometimes incredulous Jack, with an effective line in comic exasperation.” - Houston Chronicle
“As Holmes, Johnston is nattily precise and clipped, agile and sleek.” - Houston Press
“John Johnston riveted my attention as the sleuth throughout the production.” - Broadway World
“At the play's heart is Charlie Baker, portrayed by John Johnston with masterful precision and boundless charm. Charlie's journey from a painfully shy, socially awkward man to an unlikely hero is spectacular. The actor's comedic range is on full display, with impeccable physical comedy…” - Broadway World
Directing
“John Johnston…revisits the Shylock question: Is he a horrid stereotype or a critique of Christian bias? The results are an extraordinary production, one of the best of Shakespeare anywhere in Houston over the last decade.” - Houston Press
“Under Classical’s artistic director, John Johnston, the comedy has a lively flow, a real heartbeat. We’re enrapt by the ensemble. All are magnificent.” - Houston Press
“It was obvious from the company’s most recent performance that Johnston knows his ‘Hamlet.’ As director, he displays a thoughtful command of the play’s myriad tensions and layers of irony. This understanding becomes most evident through his novel approach to set pieces that often sink under the weight of an audience’s yearning for something original.” - Play Shakespeare
“However, as ridiculously good as this cast is from top to bottom, the real star of this production is translator and director John Johnston. The obvious delight Johnston had in translating and linguistically updating the dialogue jumps out at us throughout the show. With every great line thrown at us, we can hear him chuckling to himself and we laugh along right with him.” - Houston Press
“Amid the imaginative touches, Johnston does not shortchange the compelling story and complex relationships. All the play’s essentials are handled with intensity and conviction. But bearing out the promise suggested by Schlief’s design, Johnston’s production circumvents the potential pitfall of a familiar classic by assembling a ‘Doll’s House’ unlike any other we’ve seen.” - Houston Chronicle
Representation
Commercial/TV and film:
Pastorini-Bosby Talent Agency
OFFICE@PBTALENT.COM
713-266-4488
Headshots and Resumes
Film and TV
Theatre
Let’s chat
For casting or other professional inquiries, submit this form or email John at johnstjh@gmail.com
