He easily writes 40 pages of character notes, which invent a background for his role. “It felt more organic for me.”Īcting not only broadens cultural understanding, but it also allows Tennon to experience imaginary journeys as someone else. “When you read and open a book to learn something, your imagination goes everywhere,” he said. Although New York was miles away, the library brought Central Park and Wall Street to Tulsa. Randall discusses places in New York City, but Tennon having never been there, needed to perform these scenes as if New York City was his stomping ground. At TU, Tennon landed the role of Randall, a brilliant schizophrenic kid in Slow Dance on the Killing Ground. David Cook, a retired TU theater professor said, “As an actor, Julius brought maturity and passion to very difficult roles.”Ĭharacter development breathes life into a script. Tackling substantial roles in Othello, Slow Dance on the Killing Ground and The Emperor Jones, Tennon honed his craft, which elevated him to national competitions. “You have to have a certain amount of fearlessness to be in a department where you are the only,” he said. Switching from offense to defense, Tennon joked, “I like hitting guys more than I liked being hit.” Unfortunately, his football career was eclipsed by knee injuries, but Tennon focused on earning his degree and cultivating his acting discipline.Īt the time, Tennon was the only African American student in the theater department. With a full football scholarship to The University of Tulsa, Tennon prepared himself to step onto the field and the stage. Now, this 1978 TU alumnus is president, alongside his wife, Viola Davis at Juvee Productions, an artist-driven production company. With King’s brave words instilled in him, Tennon successfully pursued his own dream of an acting career. The following year, Tennon memorized and performed the “I have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr. In seventh grade, his English teacher discovered this during a poetry unit. Julius Tennon has a beautiful speaking voice. Industrial-Organizational Psychology Graduate Programs "On one of our first dates, he took me to church.Student Performances and Performance Opportunities "I met my husband three and a half weeks later, an ex-football player from Austin, Texas," she shared. God was quick to answer Davis' prayer, because in less than a month, she already met her husband. Someone who loves God more than he loves himself." "I asked for a husband who was emotionally available, someone who was older, someone who maybe had a family before," she said. She told Essence magazine back in 2013 that she prayed for Tennon even before she met him. Prayer is really big on the actress' life, especially since it was prayer that helped her land the man of her dreams. "I came into a relationship where he already had children and grandchildren and raised his kids on his own, so he's tough - he toes the line, but in a very loving way. To keep Genesis in check, Davis said Tennon has stepped up in being the disciplinarian. So I pray."ĭavis and her husband Julius Tennon adopted Genesis back in 2011, according to The Christian Post. "Listen, there are poor kids who are entitled. I do shop at Target, I buy all her clothes at Target or H&M and maybe, if I'm feeling really good, Nordstrom Rack," she told PEOPLE. "I never had a house Genesis has a house. To prevent this from happening, the actress is asking God for help. Given her current level of success, Davis is now concerned that her six-year-old daughter Genesis could grow up with a sense of entitlement. She came from humble beginnings and had to work her way up to the top. "Fences" star Viola Davis did not have an easy childhood. Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon enjoy a lovely evening in Italy with their adopted daughter Genesis.
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