Tiffany Johnson was born in St. Louis, but raised in Iowa from a small child so considers herself to be an Iowa native. Acting has always been a passion of hers as she feels it gives her a unique opportunity to ask tough questions, raise awareness on issues and many times walk right up and touch the elephant in the room. Acting is not a job for Tiffany, but rather a passion.
Her acting work includes, Good People/Stagewest 2013; The Jack Trice Story/Juneteenth 2014; Clybourne Park/Stagewest 2014; Fences/DSM Social Club 2014; The Mountaintop/Westminster Presbyterian-Intergal Arts 2015; Silent Victory/Pyramid Theatre Company 2015 and Amen Corner/Pyramid Theatre Company 2017. She was recognized by Broadway World as the 2014 best actress in Des Moines, IA with her role as Rose in Fences directed by Ken-Matt Martin. She then stepped into the realm of Directing and Production working as the Associate Director on the 2015 production of A Soldier’s Play produced by the Des Moines Social Club.
In August of 2015, Tiffany became one of the founding members of Pyramid Theatre Company which was established to serve as gateway to the arts and to enhance the experience by illuminating the presence of black artists and providing opportunity for more diverse artistic expression. Tiffany made her directorial debut in 2016 with Pyramid Theatre’s first production as a company, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, and has since directed Akeelah and the Bee/Des Moines Young Artist Theatre, Dead Dog Park/Open Door Rep, Intimate Apparel/Pyramid Theatre, and her most recent, How I Learned What I Learned/Co-Production Riverside Theater/Pyramid Theatre.
More than anything Tiffany loves to give of herself to her community as she firmly believes in “as you empty your vessel, your vessel is filled”. She also believes it takes a village to raise our children, to support our communities and to nurture our tomorrows, and intends to use her gifts to make room for others to utilize theirs.
Meet Tiffany(Interview conducted December 2015) :
Where were you born: St. Louis, Mo
Favorite Play/Musical: My favorite play is actually a musical, The Color Purple. I watched that movie from when I was a very young child. My family could tell you how tired I made them of that movie. It was the first time that I ever really paid attention to my blackness, I was seven years old when that movie came out and all of a sudden I realized that there were struggles in black lives that I didn't have a clue about, there were things that happened within families that I didn't know existed. I was super excited to see it on stage I believe it was around 2006-07, over 20 years after I had fell in love with the movie. I've always said if someone could ever get me to sing on stage it would have to be for a part in this musical, preferably as Shug Avery.
First Play: The first play I ever saw was A Midsummer Night's Dream. I went with a couple from my church Mr.& Mrs. Jack Britton, who also took me to my first ballet. I remember sitting in the audience just as confused as I could be. I was 12 years old and Shakespeare just hadn't sunk in for me yet. But the memories were priceless, it was then that I developed a tolerance and patience for theatre. I dare say that tolerance, has turned into LOVE.
Current non-Pyramid related Project: Currently my non-Pyramid related projects are called children. Every moment that I'm not working or striving to show them a better me, I am with them daring them to dream. They are the reason for everything I hope for, my only real dream after becoming a mother is living to see them realize theirs.
What does Pyramid mean to you: A pyramid is a structure that consists of three sides that meet at a single point at the top. Our company to me represents a strong foundation which will reach it's destination somewhere much closer to the sun. Mind, body, spirit, core principals, core values and a pure desire to experience life and tell the stories that are so rich with culture and history. To empower, change and encourage people through art. My Pyramid family understands that value comes with experiences, and lessons come from the knowledge gained from the experiences. I am so grateful to be a part of this team. Stay tuned people, you will not want to miss what we have in store for you.