This week, I interview Ijeoma Grace Agu. She is an actor that can make the choice to ‘play’ a character and not ‘judge’ it. I found her dedication to her art very bold and daring. Ijeoma Grace Agu has always loved the make belief world from a young age. She was that child that had to be carried out of the living room after falling asleep on the couch after seeing a late night movie. “I recall seeing a classmate and friend on TV during a Show”, says Ijeoma.
“I asked her later about it and she introduced me to a theatre group called “The Creative Steps“. I did join and had my first taste of theatre with them playing ‘Ceaserio‘ in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night“. Ijeoma continues, “From that encounter, I knew I wanted to be an actor. 9 years down the line, I started acting professionally after graduating from the University”.
Ijeoma Grace Agu in the Short film Bi-Umbilical
indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Ijeoma Grace Agu: Unfortunately no, I read ‘Applied Bio-Chemistry’ much against my wish. However the same day I finished the last of my degree papers, I set off for the city of Lagos to pursue my dream to become an actor. I did land a job the next day as the director of a TV Show called ‘Box Office’ where we interviewed actors. A few months later I decided I wanted to be the actor that would be interviewed.
So, I set about doing numerous auditions where I landed a few bit parts for years. Then I later joined the ‘Renegade Theatre’ where I would say I got my training and discipline in acting. Couple of years later and numerous stage productions under my belt as well as a few screen appearances.
I did a Hollywood indie movie titled – ‘Aina’, where I played a young woman hustling to survive. The experience on the indie movie made me realize, I needed to get further training. Later, I did a brief stint with the ‘Royal Arts Academy’ here in Lagos, Nigeria majoring in Acting for the Screen.
I still take part in a lot of actors workshops and still love to go to Film School abroad.
indieactivity: What acting technique do you use?
Ijeoma Grace Agu: I am a Method Actor. I draw from within when interpreting any character. I become the character because I sincerely believe you have to feel it so as to relate that to your audience.
indieactivity: What wrong impressions about acting do actors have?
Ijeoma Grace Agu: I hate it when you say ‘Action’ and the actor has to change her voice because she suddenly feels ‘Oh, now I have to act’. That’s not acting. It has to be so natural that the person watching actually believes it to be real.
indieactivity: Do you take acting courses to improve you craft?
Ijeoma Grace Agu: I am all for self improvement and I regularly attend Acting workshops. I also have this habit of studying people who are revered in my field for their acting proficiency. I also practice with a lot of monologues in my private time.
indieactivity: What acting books do you read?
Ijeoma Grace Agu: ‘Acting in Film’ by Michael Caine
indieactivity: How do you keep fit as an actor; mentally, and physically?
Ijeoma Grace Agu: I swim a lot asides being blessed with a good gene.
Watch Official Trailer for Taxi Driver (Oko Ashewo) directed by Daniel Oriahi and starring Ijeoma Grace Agu
indieactivity: When you are offered a role, what do you do next?
Ijeoma Grace Agu: I read the script, afterwards I draw out an extensive profile of the character, which I crosscheck with the director. If it is film, I never rehearse because I do not want to lose the spontaneous effect.
However for theatre, I have to rehearse to get tuned to my blocking, but even then as any director I have worked with would attest, I do not reveal all until show day. I get spent while trying to dig into the character to reveal all of his or her vulnerability that I feel its better to save the best for the last.
indieactivity: How do you take a character in a script to a honest believable and breathing person?
Ijeoma: They are real to me, so real I can see them. It helps that I, being a breathing person get to embody them. I ask with each character I play ‘if I were to be this person what would I do?’ The answer to the question is what I play.
indieactivity: How do you stay fresh on a production set?
Ijeoma: First of all, from the time I get on set I insist on being called my character name and want to be treated as such. This helps me to live in the world of that character for the duration of shoot. In between takes, I consciously remain character centered and stay in this zone until I hear the Director call for the next ‘Action’. This is because it takes a lot for me to get in character and when I do, I remain there till I hear print!
indieactivity: Explain one creative choice you took on set?
Ijeoma: On the set of ‘Aina’ we had to shoot a ‘Love Scene’ where my character would make love to her love interest. The director had blocked the scene to show less nudity. On the contrary, I felt following in the life of this character, seeing her being treated as a sex slave by the men she slept with for money, the audience ought to see the difference in the ‘Love Scene’ between the previous men and the man she is fell in love with. I felt the audience should see the love and care that went into the ‘Love Scene’ as against the brutal sex she had in the past. We ended up shooting that scene as such although it was tastefully done.
indieactivity: Describe a memorable character you have played?
Ijeoma: That would be the role of ‘Kelechi’ in a musical thriller called ‘Hood Rush’ which was filmed in 2011 and is presently in the cinemas. She was a young girl who was raped and abused, but later surmounted the odds and came out victorious. Till date if I hear someone call out the name ‘Kelechi’ I actually turn thinking am being called before realizing myself.
indieactivity: What do you want from a director?
Ijeoma: Trust. I need to trust in his vision and I also need him to trust my talent and willingness to bring the character to life
indieactivity: What actor do you long to work with?
Ijeoma: Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts.
Watch the Official Trailer for Swallow starring Ijeoma Grace Agu from Netflix
indieactivity: Why?
Ijeoma: Meryl, simply because I am amazed and enthralled by her talent and deep characterization. Julia, for the truthfulness and realness she brings to bear in playing a character.
indieactivity: What advice would you give actors around the world?
Ijeoma: Be sure you are passionate about acting and that you are convinced its your calling before embarking on this great journey. There would be valleys on the way to the top and its your belief and confidence in your art that will keep you going.
My foray into professional acting began with a TV Soap called Eldorado, I have since done various stage productions with the Renegade Theatre playing ‘Amope’ in Wole Soyinka’s ‘Jero Plays, and leading roles in the stage play ‘Waiting Room’, Camwood on the leaves, etc. On screen roles I played ‘Sanaka’ one of the Principal characters in the indie movie ‘Aina’ and in HoodRush I play ‘Kelechi’ also one of the principal characters. I have also been featured in various TV Soaps such as ‘Perfect Love’, ‘David’s Fall’, ‘Catwalq’, and ‘About to wed’.
I was part of the ensemble cast that performed three Nigerian plays at the Cultural Olympiad 2012. As a 30 Nigeria Award winning actor, I got a grant and did a one man show titled ‘A Chronicle of Heroines from Nigerian Plays’.
Hood Rush has had the greatest effect on my career being a cinema release as it has given much more popularity and critical acclaim. Also my one man show being the first actor to achieve such a feat amongst my generation.
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