Joe Staton was recently interviewed by TheCelebrity.Online Magazine and below is the Q&A session we had with Joe.
Joe Staton As Cover Story Interview – May 2025 Magazine Edition
How do you introduce yourself?
Joe Staton is a versatile actor, producer, and occasional director whose work spans stage, film, and experimental media. Originally from England, he grew up in France and Spain.
He recently portrayed Oswald in Picturesque Shakespeare’s acclaimed photographic exploration of King Lear, a project celebrated for merging classical theatre with visual art in immersive, site-specific environments.
Joe co-founded RiffRaff NYC, a boundary-pushing theatre company dedicated to uplifting immigrant artists and reshaping access within the New York performance landscape. With RiffRaff, he produced, directed, and played Peter Quince in a bold, contemporary staging of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in November. Earlier this year, he took on the role of Noah in The Rainmaker at Court Square Theater, continuing his commitment to emotionally grounded, character-driven work.
On screen, Joe earned recognition for his performance in The Lightworker, a multi-award-winning independent feature that garnered over 21 accolades across the festival circuit. Additional film credits include Seagull, Chekhov’s Eye, and Supreme Tweeter. His range is also evident in appearances on projects such as The Tonight Show: Prince Harry Visits and NYU’s Soy Boy.
With classical training from both the Stella Adler Studio and the Italia Conti Academy, Joe brings a rich, international perspective to every role, and continues to seek out projects that challenge conventions and elevate underrepresented voices.
Struggle – What hardships have you gone through in life?
My childhood was complicated, colourful, and somewhat bonkers. My parents founded Snazaroo face-paints in the 80s, and so I grew up surrounded by costumes, colours, and a mother who was constantly doing things. My dad passed away when I was 2, and my mum sold Snazaroo and moved us to France, where we lived for 4 years, and then we moved to Spain where I lived for 8 years. When I was 18, I moved to London to go to drama school, then I moved to New York (again for drama school), and I’ve been here ever since (minus a short stay in the UK due to the pandemic).
Growing up without a dad, I’d say was somewhat hard, though moving to a whole new country at the age of 6 was very traumatic in some ways! I’m grateful for it, as I learned how to speak French fluently, but I was suddenly thrust into an entirely new culture with an entirely new language! That was definitely not easy. And life as an actor is constantly hard! Be it struggling financially, constantly judging myself, or just getting frustrated when work dries up – I deal with that a lot!
What do people usually not know about you?
What people don’t usually know about me is that I struggle on a daily basis with really bad self-esteem issues. I’m working on it.
What sets you apart from others?
What makes me unique is my drive – I don’t like sitting still, I don’t like waiting for things to happen. I’m at my best when I’m working on something. Also I speak two languages, a little of a third language, and I can throw an axe really well. Lots of things set me apart from the rest – I’m a British actor living in New York City who comes from a family of face-painters, costume makers, dancers, and writers!
What are your upcoming major events?
I’m thrilled to be joining Ensemble Shakespeare for their production of Julius Caesar, where I’ll be playing Trebonius and Flavius! I’m gonna be working on them for another project this summer but I can’t say what it is yet! All I can say is that it’s gonna be at one of my favourite Off-Off Broadway Theatres and it’s one of my favourite plays, I cannot wait! I’ll also be heading to Missouri this August to play The Actor in Women in Black with Bluff City Theatre – that’s something I’m really looking forward to! It’s such a good play! I saw it in the West End many, many years ago in London and I’m thrilled to be a part of it now. I’m also working with a writer to adapt my mum’s book, A Snazzy Tale, into a play. It’s about her and my dad’s journey that led them to build Snazaroo. The writer I’m working with is incredible and I cannot wait to see the finished project! And finally, a few potential short films that I’ll be producing in future are in early development stages – stay tuned.
Another big thing is that my theatre company, RiffRaff NYC, is producing our 3rd immigrant play festival soon at the Rat NYC. It features 5 short plays under the theme Immigrant Stories: Life In America. So that’s exciting. Also we’re currently campaigning for funds for our second main stage show – Much Ado About Nothing, which will be set in the 70s at the end of the Vietnam War. You can find our fundraiser here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/riffraff-nyc-presents-much-ado-about-nothing/cl/o
What expert advice would you like to give?
Expert advice – the worst anyone can say to you is no. So don’t be afraid to ask.
Jose R. Harwood is a the author and editor of TheCelebrity.Online and expert in Entertainment Industry working with TheCelebrity.Online Magazine – You can reach R. Harwood via Contact page! – Read more on our About Us page.
