Meet Geoffrey Barnes | Actor, Singer, and Teaching Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Geoffrey Barnes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Geoffrey, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think risk is an essential part of life, maturity and happiness. Yes, taking risks can be extremely exhilarating and nerve racking all at once, but that is superseded by the need to follow my heart. A lot of happiness in my life would not have occurred had I not taken risks. It is necessary for my career. As an actor, taking risks gives me the freedom to make bold choices and explore characters and relationships more in depth, and in my private and professional life, it allows me make to decisions based my need to find solace and confidence. One memory, in particular, involved my move to New York City at 22 years old. I had absolutely no money and no way of getting there on my own, but I was driven to move there. My heart compelled me to do it. I eventually saved up enough to money to sublet an apartment and somehow convinced a friend to put as much stuff as I could fit in the back of his Jetta and to give me a ride to NYC, without any guarantees or promises. It was the right move. That risk taking helped jumpstart my acting career. Taking risks like that has given me confidence and sense of ownership during times of my life and career where I was not in a happy place.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I would like to describe myself as an adaptive artist. I initially started my career as a musical theatre actor; however, I have since expanded my skills and have ventured into Shakespeare, film, commercials, dance/movement, songwriting, and teaching.

I got to where am today professionally with lots of hard work, drive, passion, and an immense amount of patience. I had been performing professionally in Cincinnati since the age of 12 (through my studies at Cincinnati School for Creative and Performing Arts. Transitioning into acting as an adult was not smooth as I had hoped. After graduating college, my anxiety kept me from immediately moving to New York City. Fortunately for me, I happened to land of a couple touring theatre gigs in the Midwest, which gave me some experience under my belt and prepared me for my move to New York. Of course, my expectations as a young actor working in the city did turn out as I expected. I endured countless rounds of auditions and callbacks with no result for the first 3-4 months. On a large scale 3-4 months isn’t that long of a stretch. Of course, time is relevant those first 4 months felt like an eternity. I eventually found a side job working the 2nd shift as a data entry clerk for an advertising firm. That was not a part of my plan at all, however, that position gave me the opportunity to continue to audition. In the fall of 2000, I got my first Union job working with Theatreworks/USA, a touring children’s theatre company based in NYC. This profession is all about, patience, persistence, passion, and love. Those 4 elements have gotten me far in my career keep me grounded and present. I always remind myself to continue to listen and learn from others in the field and to keep an open mind. I learn just as much from the students I teach as much as I do from theatre veterans, I share the stage with.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wow, no need to think about this. A week-long trip would start off with on Monday:
Breakfast at Sugar n’ Spice in OTR (formerly the Diner on Sycamore for those old Cincy heads). Next, we would go for a stroll in Washington Park, then take a drive on Columbia Parkway to the Precinct for some of the best steaks in Cincinnati, ending with some nightlife on Vine Street (MOTR or the Drinkery for some live local music), or game night at Queen City Radio.

Tuesday:
Breakfast at Coffee Emporium downtown, then take a quick trip to Holtman’s Donuts for a second breakfast. Next off, a stroll in Eden Park and a visit to the Cincinnati Art Museum and then dinner at Zip’s Café in Hyde Park.

Wednesday:
Breakfast: Blue Jay Restaurant in Northside (I LOVE THEIR breakfast).
Followed by a trip to the American Sign Museum and then some bowling at Stone Lanes in Norwood. If it’s during the Holidays, it’s a perfect time to go to Festival of lights at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Dinner: Lemongrass Thai Cuisine in Hyde Park. Their food is Fantastic!

Thursday:
Start off with Upside Brew or Sitwell’s in Clifton for Breakfast, followed by a trip to the Cincinnati Nature Center, Cincinnati Zoo, or perhaps a daytime jaunt to Hocking Hills for a whole day of hiking. Too tired to travel back to Cincy afterwards? Just rent one of the cabins available around Hocking Hills state park.

Friday:
Breakfast at HangOverEasy in Clifton. If it happens to be during the end of May, then Taste of Cincinnati would be the place to go. Maybe catch a Cincinnati Reds day game or take in some theatre at one of Cincy’s area theatres. Cincinnati has some of the best theatre communities in the Midwest. Companies like Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theater and the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company strive to produce engaging, thought provoking, quality theater for all audiences. Cincinnati has become such a wonderful place to create art.

Saturday:
Breakfast at the Pepper Pod in Northern Kentucky, followed by a boat ride on the Ohio river or a visit to the Museum Center! I can’t go a week without taking my guest to Skyline chili. They’re either going to love it or hate it. Ha!

Sunday: KINGS ISLAND ALL DAY!!
(or a trip to see a Bengals game) 🙂

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people that have given me inspiration throughout my career that deserve a shout. First, is my family. My mother and Father, Geoffrey Barnes, Sr., and Arnetta Barnes McCarty, were strong advocates of the arts prior to my interest in theatre. In the past, they attended the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park regularly, often bringing me along to certain productions. My mother was also an Assistant Principal with the School for Creative and Performing Arts where I attended. Both my sisters, April, and Leslie were also role models, as I would attend many of their dance recitals, variety shows and plays while I was kid. The support from them alone gave me the confidence to pursue the field of acting. SCPA also gave me the confidence and drive to pursue my love of acting and theatre. That School is undoubtedly special and allowed me not only to discover and hone my craft, but gave me the support, guidance, love, and encouragement as young actor of color to chase my dreams. ALL the teachers I had at that school were influential in where I am today.

Website: www.geoffreybarnes2.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/geoffy76

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrey-barnes-6504b794

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JazziGeoff

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JazziGeoff/

Image Credits
Photos courtesy of Chris Macke, Mikki Schaffner and Sara Matteson.