Much like the president has their vice president, an actor has a castmate they can count on to take their place at a moment’s notice. The role of understudy is not for the faint of heart. Understudies memorize and rehearse as diligently as leads to ensure their performance, if ever they must take command, maintains the integrity of the show.
Calvin Worthen took on the formidable task of understudy for Alonzo Fields in the one-man-show Looking Over the President’s Shoulder. Worthen is an accomplished local artist activist with a history of building community. We spoke with him about his passion for performing arts, his impressive career, and his significant impact in the Valley.
Q: What initially drew you to acting, and how did your journey lead you to Looking Over the President’s Shoulder? (The short version)
Worthen: It was the stage. Since I was very young I have always wanted to be on the stage. I did not get a chance to see a ton of theater growing up. I spent most of my time in church or in choir rehearsal. My mother was a mezzo soprano and she would bring me and my brother along when we were too young to stay home. She had been asked to join some community theatres and it was the time I spent in the rehearsals mocking and mimicking different people in the play that I found I loved playing pretend. I would not get a chance to be on the stage until college where I played Lucien P. Smith in the Boys Next Door in 2003. From that point I did not seek out the stage, the stage started seeking me out. A relocation to the Valley brought many opportunities and I took them all. Firstly, with the Arizona Storytellers, Black Theatre Troupe, The Herberger, Tempe Center for the Arts and now The Phoenix Theatre Company.
Q: You’re a local artist activist, storyteller, radio personality, and more! What project has been most meaningful to you?
Worthen: The project that has been the most meaningful to me is my work with Desert Soul Media. Ten years ago I, along with a good friend Kaja Brown, began having discussions around creative space making for Black and African Americans in the Valley. Both of us had experience in public radio so we decided to establish a non-profit to operate a full-power FM station with a media center designed to teach digital media literacy to underrepresented populations in media. Prior to our endeavors there was no Black and African American center radio station to promote our community events, businesses, or encourage our civic engagement. Now we have KRDP 90.7FM to do just that and I can say that this work of creating social change in Arizona has been the most meaningful work to me.
Q: How has your experience helped you in preparing to understudy the role of Alonzo Fields?
Worthen: This was my first opportunity to be an understudy. I was told that every actor should be an understudy. So, this is kind of my chance to learn. The first thing I had to learn was to keep my pockets full of patience. I had developed a storehouse of patience from my years as a licensed teacher in Minneapolis and here in the Valley. I have also played on teams where I have had a role to play and learned to wait for those opportunities. It is easy when you know you have a good team and The Phoenix Theater Company has assembled a group of all-stars for this production.
Q: Do you have any advice to give up-and-coming Valley creatives?
Worthen: Advice… Remember to create to like you have more inside you. No one thing will be the end all be all of your expression. Treat your creativity like your breath. As long as you need to keep breathing you need to keep creating. Like I learned in my early years in improv, “Yes, and.” To me it means if I am on the stage or in my walk in life; obstacles, and opportunities alike are all, “Yes, and.”
Q: How can our community connect with you and find more of your work?
Worthen: If you want to stay connected follow me on social media, CalvinJWorthen on Facebook and X, calvinjworthen_bigkelvin on Instagram. Tune in on 90.7FM weekdays from 12 noon to 1p Arizona time for Soul Star Live and on Friday nights at 7p for Calvin Worthen’s Blue Friday. I also have pop up performances around the Valley where I am telling stories, singing and playing percussion so be on the lookout.
Q: If you were president, what would be on the menu for your inauguration dinner?
Worthen: Collard greens and smoked turkey tails, Sweet potatoes, Black eyed peas, fried okra, fried plantains, hot water cornbread and some pot liquor to wash it down.
Event Details
What: Looking Over the President’s Shoulder
When: October 29 – December 14, 2025
Where: The Phoenix Theatre Company, Judith Hardes Theatre, 1825 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Tickets: Available at www.phoenixtheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at (602) 254-2151
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