I’d Be Nervous To Audition For Denzel Washington, But One Actor Apparently Wasn’t Fazed: ‘It’s Important Even For Him’

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Considering Denzel Washington‘s impressive film career, many actors might feel nervous working with him. However, Chris Chalk, currently gaining attention for his role in the 2025 TV series It: Welcome To Derry, recently revealed he wasn’t at all intimidated during an audition alongside Washington for a play.

Welcome To Derry’s Chris Chalk Didn’t Let Audition With Denzel Washington Daunt Him

In 2010, Chris Chalk acted alongside Denzel Washington in a production where he played Cory, the son of Washington’s character, Troy. Viola Davis played Troy’s wife, Rose. Chalk recently shared the story of how he landed the role in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

I paused to think for a moment. I recall auditioning with Denzel, and the final callback process was incredibly complicated and drawn out – it took months. They didn’t like any of the actors who tried out for the role of Cory. Eventually, they brought in a group of the least promising actors – as they put it – and that wasn’t a promising start.

The play, which ran on Broadway for three months, later won a Tony Award for Best Revival. Both Washington and David received Tonys for their performances. Finding the right actor for a supporting role proved difficult during casting. Here’s the story of how it all unfolded:

The audition kept getting rescheduled, and I repeatedly explained that I couldn’t attend if it was on Saturdays because of a class I teach. It wasn’t about being difficult; I needed to prioritize my own commitments, just like Denzel Washington has to prioritize his. I can’t be swayed by every opportunity that comes along. My manager was surprised when I refused the Saturday audition, but I reminded them that they were responsible for managing my career, not trying to replicate someone else’s.

Despite auditioning with Denzel Washington, Chalk continued to go to his regular job – something most actors wouldn’t do. Ultimately, his decision didn’t affect the outcome, as he still landed the role.

You can start streaming with HBO Max for as little as $10.99 per month. It’s the exclusive streaming home for the new series, Welcome to Derry, and with a subscription, you’ll have access to a huge library of movies, shows, documentaries, and more. Check out the deal here.

Why The Actor Thinks His Approach Actually Helped His Audition

After Chris Chalk auditioned with Denzel Washington, he shared his experience and explained how remaining unfazed by Washington’s celebrity might have been key to his performance.

During the audition, Denzel didn’t seem very focused on me, so I playfully kicked him, and he kicked me back. Then I gave him a push, and wow, he’s really strong! He pushed me so hard that it almost disrupted the scene. But I think it’s good for someone like Denzel to be around people who don’t treat him like a celebrity. He seems to appreciate being seen as an equal, someone who’s collaborating with peers.

The physical contact – the kicking and pushing – happened during a fight scene between the characters Troy and Cory. While some actors might have been uncomfortable with such a rough scene, especially working with someone as acclaimed as the Oscar winner, Denzel Washington, director George C. Wolfe felt that Washington’s ability to treat his co-stars as equals likely made the scene work so well.

This show features a fantastic performance by an actor who overcame industry expectations, and it’s really inspiring! We’ve been telling everyone about it, and they’re all enjoying it too. The first five episodes are available to stream now, with new episodes dropping every Sunday until December 14th.

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2025-11-26 18:12