Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1502512
Grey Henson and Jim Crisp JC: The first thing that comes to my mind – and tell me if this is accurate – is how you were just a very aware kid, a little boy who was living in his head a lot – with a vivid imagination. Did you have a vivid imaginary life as a kid? GH: I think I was mature for my age. And I don't know where that really came from. But I was also very shy. I was extremely sensitive and shy and accommodating. The goal was always, oddly, to do it professionally. Does that make sense? It was never a hobby to me. I've always been a performer. It started with ballet. I owe so much of my understanding of what it meant to be performer professionally to my mom, who is always the first person to tell me to do it, and to push me into it. She was never a stage mom, but just an encouraging parent. JC: And of course, you started so young dancing. And I think that was your identity first as a performer, wasn't it? As a dancer? GH: Jane Madison, Madison Studios. I was the only boy in the ballet class. My mom took me to a different studio when I was three, and they turned me away. It was 1993. Then she took me to Jane, and Jane welcomed me into the class. And that was sort of my calling card – being a dancer. I love the art of ballet, but it's a little too strict for me. I don't really have the body type for it. There's so much meticulous craftsmanship that goes into being a professional dancer, whereas in theater, the differences are celebrated. And it's sort of my little secret trick that I have – that I am secretly a great dancer. People don't expect it because I look like a linebacker in size. But my first play was "Peter Pan" at Macon Little Theatre. Then I did a million at Theatre Macon. JC: And of course, we all claim you. We all love you. Was there a moment, a show, where you thought, "Aha, I can do this. This is going to be my life?" For me as a director, one of the turning points for me watching you as a performer was when you played Curly in "Oklahoma!" GH: I remember getting that role and feeling very nervous. That is a part I would not play today. I will never play that role again. Not something in my wheelhouse. But I remember feeling excited to be GREY HENSON IN FRONT OF THE NEDERLANDER THEATRE, THE HOME OF HIS CURRENT HIT "SHUCKED" JUNE/JULY 2023 | maconmagazine.com 49