Interview: Jon Chaffin, A NATIVE SON, Urges Creating Empathy For All Humans, Being in Life

Antaeus Theatre Company's 2018 Southern California premiere of NATIVE SON has been chosen as the third and final production of Center Theatre Group's BLOCK PARTY 2019, beginning April 18, 2019 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. Nambi E. Kelley's adaptation of Richard Wright's classic novel Native Son will be reprised with its entire original Antaeus cast of nine, again with director Andi Chapman at its helm. I had the chance to ask some delving questions of Jon Chaffin, who portrays NATIVE SON's most integral character, Bigger Thomas.

Thank you for taking the time for this interview, Jon!

It's been almost a year now that you did your last curtain call as Bigger on the Antaeus stage. Did all your Bigger emotions and words come back easily for you? Or did you have to 're-learn' a few scenes?

When we did NATIVE SON last year at Antaeus, we had the luxury of a six-week rehearsal window, followed by a seven-week run. So I was able to live with Bigger for a substantial amount of time. Every character lives within you; therefore there is no need to "re-learn" anything. Bigger's dreams, hopes, pain and fears, all live within me. It's really only a matter of awakening what's already inside. Simply put, I am reliving, not re-learning.

Have any life experiences or news events since that Antaeus curtain call tweaked or enriched your current interpretation of Bigger?

Yes. Certainly. Since our curtain call, I've worked on numerous other productions, from theatre to film/TV, and you take away something from each experience. You learn and grow with every story you tell. Having the opportunity to reprise a role is always a gift. Any artist will tell you that. You are being given the opportunity to explore the work with fresh eyes. I stand by my work in our first run. I don't have any regrets. However, there are a few things I would've done differently in my first interpretation. That's the gift I have now. Although we are telling the same story, my interpretation will undoubtedly be more rich and nuanced because I have more tools in my box. I have more to bring to the table.

How familiar were you with Richard Wright's novel before you became involved with NATIVE SON last year at Antaeus?

I read Native Son when I was in high school, but that was some time ago, LOL! So I did read it again before our first run. I also listened to the audiobook. However, the novel is only a framework for this piece, not the bible. Nambi E. Kelley's adaptation stands alone in my opinion.

Can you summarize the differences readers of Richard Wright's novel will go through with Nambi E. Kelley's stage adaptation?

I believe Richard Wright was essentially saying, "Look America at what you have created. This monster that is Bigger Thomas." Nambi E. Kelley, on the other hand, is saying, "Look at the man [Bigger] and empathize." Nambi's adaptation is an exploration into the psyche of Bigger Thomas. She infuses W.E.B. Du Bois' concept of "Double Consciousness", as described in his book The Souls of Black Folk, in her storytelling. Yes, the events in both the play and novel marry one another. However, Nambi is asking that you see well into this man and empathize with the events in his life that gave rise to his actions.

Nambi's adaption is a love note to Black Men. She is saying that you, Black Man, are enough, as you are. You don't have to see yourself the way the world sees you. This is the lesson she has gifted Bigger in her adaptation. We get to see how a boy discovers himself, albeit through the most tragic of circumstances. But unfortunately, that's been the story for millions of Black Men throughout history. Too often we've been made to discover ourselves, our manhood, in the most ominous situations. We try to shed a little empathy on that in this play, which I felt the novel lacked. I like Native Son, the novel... but I love Nambi E. Kelley's adaptation and Andi Chapman's Direction.

Any Antaeus audience responses take you by surprise?

Honestly, no. I knew after reading this play that it was going to be met with mixed emotions. This isn't HELLO DOLLY. LOL!

How did you justify/rationalize Bigger's brutality to be able to submerse yourself into him?

I don't see Bigger as being brutal. Yes, his actions are misguided, but they come from a deeply rooted pain and fear. I don't justify, I empathize. Acting isn't about rationalizations and justifications; it's an art of empathy. That's all you need. I see the world through his eyes. Put on his shoes and walk in them. I imagine and create. I go through every emotion Bigger experiences. I use all of my senses to create the memories of his past, and I immerse myself in them until they're palpable. It's a child's game that we're playing. I let the audience rationalize.

If you were to run into someone with Bigger's characteristics now in 2019, what would you suggest the most empathetic actions one should take?

Bigger's a human, being in this life. And, as all humans, being in life... we are all capable of the same things. You are Bigger. I am Bigger. Everyone has Bigger in them. We are not all going to commit the same acts as one another, but we are all certainly capable. I share many of Bigger's "characteristics." I'm fearful at times. I'm unsure of myself at times. I'm misguided at times. I dream and hope for a better future. I can't separate myself from Bigger, because I, too, am Bigger.

Richard Wright wrote in his essay, "How Bigger Was Born" that there are many different types of Biggers. He isn't reduced to just a handful of characteristics and stereotypes. There are Black, White and Hispanic Biggers, Asian and Native American Biggers. So I guess to answer your question, I'd say that you should treat everyone you meet with love and patience, because you don't know their story. But if you took the time, you may find that their shoes fit your feet. We are all one in the same. Don't see yourself as separate from or different than, but equal to. This is the pathway to empathy.

Did you have to take time to relax and clear your head after your heavy stint as Bigger last year?

I did that on a daily basis, LOL. This isn't an easy story to tell or journey to take. It's physically, mentally and emotionally, the hardest thing I've ever done. So I made sure that self-care was at the top of my list every day. Whether it was listening to certain music that relaxed me or going for morning runs, hanging out with friends... whatever I needed to do to decompress, I did. I've also worked on other projects since then, so that also helped.

Did you have mixed emotions to reprising Bigger with NATIVE SON being chosen as part of BLOCK PARTY 2019?

Nope. I love this story and I love this group of artists I get to create with. It's a win-win.

Under what circumstances could you see Bigger hanging out with Wolf (TWO TRAINS RUNNING), Mister (KING HEDLEY II), and/or George (AMERICAN SAGA - GUNSHOT MEDLEY: PART I)?

Hey, don't forget Sterling (TWO TRAINS RUNNING), LOL! That's a great question. And tough. Well, let's find the six degrees of separations: George is dead, but goes back to "the land of the living" to preach on street corners in NYC to Black people. Sterling just got out of prison and wants to get Risa to go to a Malcolm X rally with him. Wolf went to that same Malcolm X rally, where he saw Sterling and Risa together. Bigger's hope is that "someday there would be a Black Man who could whip Black people into a tight band..." And Mister is looking for opportunity and not afraid to get in the fight. So, I'd say they'd probably all meet at a Malcolm X Rally or the bar across the street, LOL!

Which would be more satisfying and/or challenging to you, Jon Chaffin the actor: Letting the audience see the hidden flaws of a squeaky-clean, nice guy? Or... Revealing the deeply buried, good intentions beneath a bad guy's not-so-nice actions?

That's a tough question. Honestly, they both would be equally satisfying. I'm essentially unmasking to reveal the "deeply bruised nice guy who has good intentions, but misguided actions." My hope is that the audiences will be equally challenged, to empathize, and satisfied with their "openhearted" experience of NATIVE SON.

What's next on the horizon for Jon Chaffin? More stage? Television work? Vacation?

Yes, yes and, definitely, YES! LOL! I'm back on Hawaii Five-O this season, reprising my role as Damien Baptist. I'll also be on the new season of Lucifer, streaming on Netflix this year, as Bishop Hoffman. And I have the feature-film, If Not Now, When, directed by Meagan Good and Tamara Bass, coming out later this year. And I definitely plan to get back on stage soon. I love theatre and want to stay as close to it as possible. I'd love to come knock on Broadway's door one day.

Thank you again, Jon! I look forward to witnessing your Bigger's trials and triumphs.

For ticket availability and show schedule through April 28, 2019; log onto www.centertheatregroup.org

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