About the Show
Performance videos can be found amongst Past Shows below.
PROJECTING MY FEELINGS is a dazzling new performance series starring John Raymond Barker where he performs monologues and songs against the backdrop of captivating images and video that allow his imagination to be the only limitation to his storytelling.
John plans to create ever-changing cabarets and one-person shows that are a fusion of pop spectacle and theatrical magic as well as specials for Halloween, Christmas, and anything dynamic that might pop into his head.
This series is a major return to live performance following many years focusing on online content creation. John believes that amidst this technological surge, there’s an undeniable hunger for genuine, human experiences. In a world where technology often overshadows human connection, John believes that live performance is more vital than ever.
And in a world where online platforms do a huge disservice to artists (to put it both briefly and lightly), it feels good to be back in front of audiences where he knows the irreplaceable magic that occurs when artists and audiences come together in a shared experience.
About the Artist
John Raymond Barker
(he/him/his) is a distinguished Master of Fine Arts graduate from the University of Houston School of Theatre where he honed his craft under the mentorship of luminaries Stuart Ostrow, Edward Albee, Jerry Bock, and Jerry Sterner. John is represented by ATB Talent and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and is SAG-AFTRA Eligible after making his network television debut guest starring on Law & Order: SVU on NBC.
John’s New York theatre credits include several new musicals. John performed and co-wrote the devised work, Gold Coast, with Stages on the Sound for Metropolitan Playhouse’s Gilded Stage Festival under the guidance of Tectonic Theater Project’s Scott Barrow.
Regional theatre credits include Theatre Under The Stars (What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Grand Hotel, Funny Girl, Zorro); 5th Avenue Theatre (Grand Hotel); Alley Theatre (Christopher Dudgeon in The Devil’s Disciple, A Flea In Her Ear); Stages Theatre (Shakespeare’s R&J, The Firebird)
Recordings: Show Choir! The Musical Studio Recording, Avarice the Musical Cast Recording, Carols for a Cure Volume 12 with Bernadette Peters and the cast of A Little Night Music, “Vampire Drag Queen”, & Our First Christmas Together.
Timeline of Relevant Events
1996
Bound for Broadway
John uses projections for the first time ever albeit in the form of a very simple slideshow.
2007
Jerby With a "Y"
John uses projections in a simple manner that aid the storytelling of his second NYC cabaret.
2010
A Very Jerby Christmas
John evolves his use of projection to further his storytelling in his first Christmas cabaret.
2011
Beyoncé at the Billboard Music Awards
IMPACT ON JOHN: Inspired by Lorella Cuccarini’s projection work, Beyoncé created a dazzling performance that looked like the superstar was interacting with the film.
2011-2012
Stonewall Inn
John utilized projections in some of the shows he performed upstairs at the legendary landmark.
2012
Reid Farrington's A Christmas Carol
IMPACT ON JOHN: The projection work in this incredible Off-Broadway production was spectacular. Actors would hold props that would have projections hit them in an extremely intricate design and staging.
circa 2012
Vimeo Fest and MET Opera
IMPACT ON JOHN: John attended the Vimeo Festival where he saw a very cool art exhibit where projections onto glass bottles made it look like miniature humans were trapped in them. John saw online videos that showed the use of interactive screens in productions at the MET Opera.
2017
Sasha Velour
IMPACT ON JOHN: After being dazzled by Sasha Velour’s winning performances on the season finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race, John discovered her online content showcasing one of Sasha’s best skillsets: fantastic projection work. Sasha won without ever once utilizing projections in the competition. Sasha’s ideas expanded for John how projections can be used. In particular, John learned that all lighting design needs can be contained in the projection video for precise timing with no tech rehearsal, including the spotlight.
2017
The Lady Gaga Christmas Spectacular
John used projections in this fun variety show staged as if it were a holiday special hosted by the iconic star.
2018
When the Shenanigans Begin Again
John attempted the first online cabaret on Facebook Live to spectacularly disastrous effect. The show was plagued by latency issues that the whole world would discover two years later during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as not knowing that to pull off the green screen effects and overlays live, there would need to be a great deal more processing power and the equipment to sync it all before broadcasting. But, John did succeed at these visuals, including duplicating himself live to create the appearance that he had two back-up dancers. (It’s just that the music didn’t match the vocals didn’t match the visuals. And, as is true of online performing, you can’t hear your audience. And, trying to perform while reading the comments is a skill John has not and doesn’t intend to master).
2020-2021
Performing during the Covid-19 Pandemic
John successfully performed online in the manner he had hoped in 2018 by filming projections and music as heard in the space. As such, this would prove to be a style that would translate easily to live performances once those resumed.
2023
Stonewall Inn
John began using his most advanced projections yet in some of his monthly performances in Anthony Fett’s monthly “All-Stars” show upstairs at the famous bar to fantastic success. DJ Chauncey D asked John if he ever thought about doing a full show with projections. At first, John dismissed the idea. But, then it occurred to him that it might just be an inspired direction for his art.
2024
Projecting My Feelings
John will be premiering a full show in Spring/Summer 2024. Starting in February, John will be performing individual numbers in other hosts’ shows in NYC.
Upcoming Shows
Stonewall All Stars: Got Pride
See John premiere a new piece that celebrates the importance of Pride featuring the Erasure songs “Chains of Love” and “A Little Respect”. 9pm
06/24
2024
Past Shows
Pop Up Variety Show
John headlines a night filled with talent. He will be performing audience favorites like “More”, premiering exciting new works, and singing duets with host, Lavinia Draper, and Vegas Valentine. 8pm
05/27
2024
Stonewall All Stars: It's Gonna Be May Millennial Music Party
See John premiere a new piece: “Y2Gay”, a megamix of songs circa 2000. 8pm
05/20
2024
Stonewall All Stars: Webbenheimer
See John premiere a new piece: “More” from Dick Tracy by Stephen Sondheim. It will feature rich satire in a Busby Berkeleyesque spectacle. 8pm
03/25
2024
Pop Up Variety Show
John headlines a night of variety with three sets: Pop, Broadway, and Star Wars! Stonewall. 8pm
03/18
2024
DJ Chauncey D's Freak Out Variety Show
See an electrifying performance where John will be singing a naughty mash-up of Madonna songs against an R-rated montage of her music videos juxtaposed with gay adult films and a variety of church scandals. Stonewall. 9pm
