A West Virginia Wesleyan College graduate’s acting career is moving along nicely this year. Buckhannon native, Joshua Rollins, has recently completed four films including The Lake House with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, Awake with Hayden Christianson, Jessica Alba, and Terence Howard, Killshot with Diane Lane, Thomas Jane, Mickey Rourke, and Johnny Knoxville, and as a main character in Living Hell with Jonathan Schaech, Erica Leersen, and James McDaniel.

“With my first film, it is literally a “blink and you’ll miss me” part as a bartender serving a drink to Sandra Bullock, but as the parts have gotten bigger, I have been really surprised not only with how hard the world of film is, but how open the people have been,” says Rollins.  “There are a few jaded people in the business, but for the most part, I have learned the value of knowing my craft, being nice to everyone, and working my tail off.”

The 1999 Wesleyan graduate’s introduction to theatre could clearly be described as fate.  “I transferred to Wesleyan at the end of the fall semester and one night while walking on campus, I heard people auditioning.  I went inside Atkinson Auditorium, jumped on stage, and a few weeks later, I was acting in my first play, “No Exit,” directed by Erica Matchett, a 1999 Wesleyan graduate.”  This opportunity would not have been available to a non-theatre major at a larger institution. “My first experience on-stage immediately hooked me on acting.”  Rollins completed two majors at Wesleyan--English literature and dramatic arts.

At Wesleyan, Rollins learned to help with sets, lights, and everything required for a production.  “It really fostered a community,” adds Rollins.  “I would finish up a play, run back stage and say hello to family, and then pull on an old pair of jeans to help strike the set.  It was that humility as a performer that has enabled me to continue working today.”

After graduating from Wesleyan, Rollins worked in New York, Chicago, and Boston at various companies, but continued to work on his acting career.  He has worked with Chicago’s Player’s Theatre, Circle Theatre, and Steppenwolf Films and with Boston’s The Huntington Theatre, Commonwealth Shakespeare, Zeitgeist Stage, Devanaughn Theatre, Essayons Theatre, Pet Brick, and many others.  He now has an agent in Chicago and Los Angeles and says “he is auditioning like mad.”  “It is crazy, but once you start pushing the big rock down the hill to gain momentum, it eventually ends up pushing you,” notes Rollins.  “I am auditioning at the big houses like Steppenwolf in addition to other film roles. Rollins has also landed a few commercial roles.  I do need funds to pay bills.”

He has also learned how incredibly hard the profession can be.  “Since I quit the corporate world and started concentrating on acting full time, I have managed to land roles in commercials, film, and theatre, and pay my bills,” says Rollins.  “The hardest part about this business is the 99 “no’s” you hear compared to the one “yes.”  The “no’s” often have very little to do with your talent.”

Rollins hopes to land more film and theatre roles and to attract interest to his scripts.  “Most of my scripts focus on life in Appalachia, an area sorely neglected in film,” adds Rollins.  “I would love to bring more stories from West Virginia out in the open.  I would also like to come back to Wesleyan and do a show or talk with students about life in this profession.”

For now, Rollins will continue to audition, hoping to land larger roles as a result of this year’s experiences.  “I am really happy with my life,” says Rollins.  “I am acting for a living and enjoying every minute.”