Sean Patrick Thomas plays Joseph Asagai.
What was the casting process like?
They let me know they were seeing people for the role. So I put myself on tape and I sent my tape in to the director and the producers here and they called me the next day and asked me to join them.
Tell us about your character.
Joseph he’s one of the two characters that is trying to woo Beneatha who is played by Anika Noni Rose. They are old friends from college. He was able to help her out at a dark time in her life and see there’s another way out of trouble.
Tell me about collaborating with Anika.
It’s been so easy and so nice. I mean she’s so good at what she does. Everyday really felt pretty easy. We were working hard but it was also fun … It was always just nice and easy and fun. She was a pleasure.
Speak about collaborating with Kenny Leon.
Kenny knows this play like the back of his hand. We’d be in there during rehearsal and if we missed a line or something was a little off, he would be like “no, no, no” use this word or that word. The fact that knows the play so well … made it so easy for us because he was able to communicate.
What do you love about playing this character?
He’s lot of fun and what I love about him is he’s optimistic. He knows the dark side, he knows the things that are difficult, he knows the things that are tough, but he also has a vision and a destiny and he’ll be on to that. He’s like the light at the end of the tunnel.
Speak about working with Denzel Washington.
He‘s an amazing brilliant actor obviously . He’s such a nice man and so hardworking and so disciplined. I always learn a lot being around him.
