Jon Radulovic is the PWLT Volunteer of the Month for December
Jon has been a beloved cast member and WATCH judge for PWLT for several years. After taking a decades long break from acting, he returned to theater with PWLT's The Trial of Ebeneezer Scrooge.
www.abouttheartists.com/artists/268011-jon-radulovic
PWLT sat down with Jon to get a little more background.
How did you first become involved with PWLT?
I had just gotten back into community theater 30 years after last being on stage, in a production of "Prelude to a Kiss" at LTA. That theater bug had bitten again. Still feeling somewhat uncertain, I auditioned for "The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge" that Terri Ritchie was directing at PWLT in 2023. Basically, I only wanted to give a good audition and not embarrass myself. Well, turns out Cliff Reiger - who had been in the LTA show with me - was at the same audition. I loved working with Cliff and having him there made the audition fun. Well, turns out we were both cast opposite one another and had a ball. That's when I realized that PWLT is an incredible jewel of a theater company in the region. I've met so many talented, skilled people...PWLT is special.
What is involved with being a WATCH judge for PWLT?
I'm delighted to serve as a judge from PWLT for the local WATCH awards - that's Washington Area Theater Community Honors - and WATCH celebrates excellence in community theaters in Virginia, Maryland, and DC. As a WATCH judge, you attend several shows a season at different theater companies that are members of WATCH, and they can be located anywhere between Sterling, VA to Annapolis, MD. You judge not only the actors but every technical aspect that goes into the production of a play or musical. I'm not necessarily a fan of awards, as only a few individuals can be nominated in each category and there's usually only one winner, but there is so much amazing work being done - I'm continually surprised and delighted. As a judge, I try to share positive comments about aspects of the show that I found interesting - and there are always things in every show that are worth calling out. What's most important to me about WATCH isn't the awards but the way it unites our theater community across the DMV.
What have you done in the arts outside of PWLT?
I majored in theater at the University of Virginia and for10 years after college, I worked as an actor in the DC-region. I did a couple of tours that took me around the country (I think I've acted in 28 states and Canada). I also did some stage-management and educational programs in the area. I did several of Shakespeare's plays that meant a lot; a favorite was "Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Folger. Also, back in those days, the government did a lot of training films, so it was possible to get along as an actor in DC if you were able to get in on the industrial film circuit. I also was a background person in a couple dozen movies that filmed in DC and Baltimore. But the way the stars aligned, I followed some other opportunities and ended up moving away from the stage. I didn't think I would ever go back but 30 years later, I did.
Do you have a dream role to play?
It's only been recently that I've come to realized I've aged out of most of the "dream roles" I had. For the most part, I'm willing to do just about anything a director will cast me in. Although, I've always wanted to play Friar Lawrence in "Romeo and Juliet." Oh, and "The Mystery of Irma Vep" is on the list.
What do you do when not working with PWLT?
I work in communications and media relations. For 28 years, I worked on behalf of hospice at the national, association level. Now, I've slowed down a bit and am doing communications at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center - which is very close to home.
Anything else we should know about Jon?
I can tell you that many of the tools I developed in my early acting career turned out to be wonderful life lessons that serve me well in my life.
Jon has been a beloved cast member and WATCH judge for PWLT for several years. After taking a decades long break from acting, he returned to theater with PWLT's The Trial of Ebeneezer Scrooge.
www.abouttheartists.com/artists/268011-jon-radulovic
PWLT sat down with Jon to get a little more background.
How did you first become involved with PWLT?
I had just gotten back into community theater 30 years after last being on stage, in a production of "Prelude to a Kiss" at LTA. That theater bug had bitten again. Still feeling somewhat uncertain, I auditioned for "The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge" that Terri Ritchie was directing at PWLT in 2023. Basically, I only wanted to give a good audition and not embarrass myself. Well, turns out Cliff Reiger - who had been in the LTA show with me - was at the same audition. I loved working with Cliff and having him there made the audition fun. Well, turns out we were both cast opposite one another and had a ball. That's when I realized that PWLT is an incredible jewel of a theater company in the region. I've met so many talented, skilled people...PWLT is special.
What is involved with being a WATCH judge for PWLT?
I'm delighted to serve as a judge from PWLT for the local WATCH awards - that's Washington Area Theater Community Honors - and WATCH celebrates excellence in community theaters in Virginia, Maryland, and DC. As a WATCH judge, you attend several shows a season at different theater companies that are members of WATCH, and they can be located anywhere between Sterling, VA to Annapolis, MD. You judge not only the actors but every technical aspect that goes into the production of a play or musical. I'm not necessarily a fan of awards, as only a few individuals can be nominated in each category and there's usually only one winner, but there is so much amazing work being done - I'm continually surprised and delighted. As a judge, I try to share positive comments about aspects of the show that I found interesting - and there are always things in every show that are worth calling out. What's most important to me about WATCH isn't the awards but the way it unites our theater community across the DMV.
What have you done in the arts outside of PWLT?
I majored in theater at the University of Virginia and for10 years after college, I worked as an actor in the DC-region. I did a couple of tours that took me around the country (I think I've acted in 28 states and Canada). I also did some stage-management and educational programs in the area. I did several of Shakespeare's plays that meant a lot; a favorite was "Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Folger. Also, back in those days, the government did a lot of training films, so it was possible to get along as an actor in DC if you were able to get in on the industrial film circuit. I also was a background person in a couple dozen movies that filmed in DC and Baltimore. But the way the stars aligned, I followed some other opportunities and ended up moving away from the stage. I didn't think I would ever go back but 30 years later, I did.
Do you have a dream role to play?
It's only been recently that I've come to realized I've aged out of most of the "dream roles" I had. For the most part, I'm willing to do just about anything a director will cast me in. Although, I've always wanted to play Friar Lawrence in "Romeo and Juliet." Oh, and "The Mystery of Irma Vep" is on the list.
What do you do when not working with PWLT?
I work in communications and media relations. For 28 years, I worked on behalf of hospice at the national, association level. Now, I've slowed down a bit and am doing communications at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center - which is very close to home.
Anything else we should know about Jon?
I can tell you that many of the tools I developed in my early acting career turned out to be wonderful life lessons that serve me well in my life.
