Stepping into the Story: Actor Carl Anderson on Bringing Sight & Sound's 'Joshua' to the Big Screen

Carl Anderson, Hope Kessel in 'Joshua-Live!' | Photo image courtesy Sight & Sound Theaters
Actor Carl Anderson believes standing in the bright lights of a production can sometimes feel lonely, even intimidating. But what he has found is that when you stand up for what you believe in, for what is moral and just, and most importantly, it is what God wants you to do, it’s always the right choice.

Such is the case for Anderson and his portrayal of an Old Testament hero who is one of the Bible’s most compelling examples of faithful leadership. The veteran actor steps into the role of Joshua, the courageous Old Testament leader called to guide the Israelites toward the Promised Land, in Sight & Sound Theater’s spectacular stage production of JOSHUA—Live!

Celebrating Sight & Sound’s 50th anniversary, this inspiring story of faith, courage, and redemption now arrives in movie theaters nationwide on October 30th through Roadside Attractions.

Joshua’s journey is one of the most fascinating accounts in Scripture. As the Israelites face mounting challenges, formidable enemies, and an uncertain future, Joshua must learn to trust God’s plan in the face of overwhelming odds.

I recently sat down with Anderson as he shared insights into bringing one of the Bible’s most compelling figures to life and the timeless message of faith at the heart of JOSHUA-LIVE!.

For any performer, there always seems to be a moment where you say to yourself, “I have to be a part of this production! It is non-negotiable? For JOSHUA, was there a moment like that for you?

I knew the moment that I was cast in this role, because I was familiar with the music and just knowing the story a little bit. I thought, this is for me, this is for the season of life I'm in right now, and I think I'm ready to tell this story and share it with thousands of people.

Have you had plays or performances you've been in, where you've thought, ‘Yeah, I'm in this. This is great, but I don't feel like I'm super locked in emotionally to do a great job with this role?'

I've had those instances before, and I think the hard thing about it is, it's not that I feel like I can't bring what I need to the role, it's just the story might not captivate me as much as I thought it would, or the process was hard or difficult. And going into it, I feel like this is going to be tough, but I have to commit to it so I just give it my best.

From your standpoint, what made Joshua a great leader?

His faithfulness. His faithfulness to everything that was thrown at him. He was committed to the Lord, committed to his family, committed to the call, even though he might have felt unqualified. He was always committed to do what he was supposed to do. And he tried it, and if it worked, it worked. And that's what really set him apart. He was always willing to try, and willing to go the distance that he needed to go.

Trust, courage, and obedience seem to be the core themes that flow throughout the Old Testament scriptural account of Joshua that we read. What is the importance of obedience and why is that such a key theme in Joshua’s story?

I think where he's coming from, out of Egypt, and getting into the wilderness, and he's seen what's happened when you've not been obedient. He's seen the catastrophe and the punishment. He's seen various things that happen when you're not obedient to the Lord's call. And I think because of His faithfulness, because He trusts and believes in the Lord. That's his call, that's the charge that God has on him. Being obedient for Him is just freer. It's freeing for him. He knows there is no consequence of, oh, this is going to happen because of my disobedience and just in life in general. Being obedient, it's hard sometimes, but the payoff is always better in the end.

We've all heard the phrase that timing is everything. And due to God's leading, I think it's no accident that Joshua is the theatrical play that Sight & Sound chose to produce at this time. What are a few qualities that Joshua possessed that are very translatable for us in today's world that we're living in?

I think standing out when it feels like some things are going one way, and you're like, I don't feel like this is right. Or, this is working, and I feel like there's something that I need to do to stand up for what I believe in. Joshua has the quality of saying, ‘No, this is what we're supposed to do.’ And sometimes it can feel lonely, sometimes it can feel intimidating. But when you stand up for what you believe in, for what is right, and for what is moral, and what the Lord wants you to do, it's always the right choice. And we can relate to that, especially as believers (in Christ), because there's a lot of things that are going on in our world, or in our lives, that may seem crazy or insane, and it's like, how do we set ourselves apart from the norm? And how do we step out as believers and go the distance? Joshua was the type of character that did that.

As you have performed the role of Joshua this year on stage, has God revealed or showed you anything new about the character you play? What valuable lessons has He taught you about yourself?

Oh boy! God has shown me what trust really looks like. It's revealing to me, do I really trust in the Lord's promises? Do I really trust in His plan, His way, or His direction? Or am I holding onto things that are comforting and normal to me in my own life? Am I holding on to my strength to provide as a father? Am I holding on my ability to be the best that I can be in any area of my life? Am I trusting that the Lord is leading me and guiding me in a direction that might not necessarily be the way I want to go? So, He's really shown me what trust looks like this year, and through this story.

You are about 75 percent of the way through the production cycle for JOSHUA this year. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on stage? A funny little story that has happened you could share.

It's a small thing, but it's actually a little iconic. So, Joshua gives a final speech. He is really putting the Gospel out there to the audience for his last speech. And as I'm giving that speech, a bird is just hovering around in the air, and decides to fly right in front of me, and the audience is immediately looking at the bird. While I'm giving this powerful speech, they're looking at the bird, and it's moving, moving, moving, and as soon as I say Jesus, it stops. And then it flies away. I’m trying to keep it together about this bird being right there, and I know the audience is captivated by this little bird, just having its own moment on stage. It was just a great moment, and it was funny to me, because I had to keep it together. These people are really laughing at this bird in the most iconic speech of the show. What a moment!

After audiences have had a chance to see JOSHUA through this movie theater opportunity, what would you like to see the audience take away from the experience? What's your greatest hope for this?

My hope for all of us, even with our shows here, is for people to understand who the Lord is, and to know that He would love a relationship with them. And through that, through the lens of Joshua, and even the lens of Rahab, to see that He wants to meet them where they're at. And that they can trust Him,

And maybe they're like Joshua, going through life, being a believer, knowing the Lord, and they may be at a crossroad that the Lord might be saying to go in one direction, and they're not sure. Hopefully, through this, they'll be able to see that God has given you what you need, and He will always let you know what direction to go in, and you can trust Him. Like Rahab, you might not know the Lord. But He's calling you. He wants you to take that step of faith and believe that He is calling you to be His own.

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To find a theater new you to see JOSHUA: LIVE!

WATCH A TRAILER FOR JOSHUA-LIVE!: