In this insightful conversation, actor Ray Strasser-King shares his experience stepping into the shoes of one of history’s most iconic figures, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in The Mountaintop. With a deep sense of responsibility and honour, Strasser-King reflects on the unique challenges and emotional depth involved in portraying Dr. King not just as a leader, but as a man with vulnerabilities, fears, and hopes. Through Katori Hall’s powerful script, Strasser-King invites audiences to see the human behind the legend, offering a fresh and intimate perspective on the final hours of the civil rights icon’s life.
What drew you to the role of Dr. Martin Luther King in “The Mountaintop” and what aspects of this character are you most excited to portray?
When I was approached to play Dr. Martin Luther King in ‘The Mountaintop’, I felt an immediate sense of responsibility and honour. Dr. King is an iconic figure, a leader whose impact on the world is immeasurable and to step into his shoes is both a privilege and a challenge. What drew me to this role was the opportunity to explore the man behind the legend. I am honoured to be given the opportunity to further explore the man and Katori Hall’s play after last year’s performed reading at the Curve.
Dr King is such an icon not only in black history but history period, and he plays a huge part in the way society and successful, peaceful modern protests are structured. But the play doesn’t just portray a larger-than-life civil rights leader; it brings out the human being – his fears, doubts, and vulnerabilities. I’m excited to delve into these aspects of his character because it shows a side of Dr. King that isn’t often seen: a man who wrestled with his own mortality and the immense weight of his mission. Portraying this complexity allows me to connect with him not just as a historical figure but as a human being and I believe that’s where the real power of this role lies.
The intimate staging of the play, set design (Lulu Tam), lighting (Adam King) and sound (Jack Baxter) also allows for a deeper connection with the audience, making them feel as if they are witnessing Dr. King’s inner thoughts and struggles in real-time. It’s an incredible challenge, and I’m excited to bring that depth and humanity to the stage.
How did you approach preparing for this role, given the historical and emotional depth of Dr. King’s final hours?
Preparing for the role was a deeply immersive and emotional journey. Dr. King is such a towering figure in history, and I knew I had to do justice to both his legacy and the emotional depth of his final hours.
My preparation began with extensive research. I read and watched his speeches and biographies to understand the public persona he presented to the world. But beyond that, I wanted to tap into the man beneath the icon. I watched footage of his speeches not just to capture his voice and mannerisms, but to feel the weight he carried—the exhaustion, the passion, and the profound sense of purpose that drove him. I also watched interviews of those who knew him to get a sense of who the man was when the cameras were off.
To prepare emotionally, I focused on the humanity of Dr. King. Katori Hall’s script does a beautiful job of revealing his vulnerabilities. I spent a lot of time reflecting on what it would be like to know that your time is limited, yet still carry the burden of a movement that has the power to change the world. I am able to draw upon knowing that he had a family and connect to that on a personal level as I have a wife and children of my own.
It was important for me to bring my own truth to the character, whilst also honouring the historical significance of Dr. King’s life and work. It was important that I found that balance between his strength and his moments of fragility, understanding that even someone as extraordinary as Dr. King was still a man with hopes, fears and dreams. The result, I hope, is a portrayal that is both respectful and deeply human. Capturing the essence of a man who, in his final hours, was not just a leader, but a husband, father and individual facing his own mortality.
Can you share some specific methods or techniques you’ve used to embody Dr. King and convey his complex emotions and thoughts?
Embodying Dr. King required a combination of physical, vocal, and emotional techniques to capture both his iconic presence and the complex emotions he faced in his final hours.
Dr. King’s voice is one of the most recognisable in history. To honour that, I worked extensively on my vocal delivery. This involved not just mastering his Southern cadence and rhythm but also capturing the emotional range within his speeches – from the powerful, booming drive to the quieter, more introspective moments. I practiced delivering some of his famous speeches, focusing on how his tone would shift depending on the message and audience.
Physically, I paid close attention to his posture, gestures, and the way he carried himself. Dr. King had a certain gravitas that came from his confidence and conviction. I worked to ensure that my body language reflected the weight of his responsibility, as well as the toll that his work took on him. Simple things like the way he held his hands or the deliberate pacing of his steps were crucial in conveying his presence.
To tap into the emotional depth of Dr. King, I used a technique often referred to as “emotional memory”. I drew from my own life experiences where I faced moments of fear, doubt, or immense pressure. By recalling and channelling those emotions, I was able to connect more deeply with the internal struggles Dr. King might have faced during his final hours.
I also spent a lot of time reflecting on what it meant to be Dr. King at that moment in history, knowing that his life was constantly at risk, yet choosing to continue his work for a greater cause. This required a deep psychological immersion into the mindset of someone who is simultaneously hopeful and burdened, determined yet aware of his mortality.
The script offers a rich, layered portrayal of Dr. King. I broke down each scene to understand the subtext, emotional beats and shifts by going through a process called, “units and objectives”. I asked myself questions like: What is Dr. King feeling at this moment? What are his internal conflicts? What effect is he trying to have on the other character with that line? This analytical approach helped me to stay grounded in the character’s emotional truth, making sure that each word and action was motivated by something real.
Working closely with our director Nathan Powell and fellow cast member Justina Kehinde was also crucial. We spent time discussing Dr. King’s and Camae’s characters, the themes of the play, and the emotional journey they each go through. This collaborative environment allowed me to explore different facets of Dr. King’s personality and refine my portrayal based on feedback and new insights rather than imitation.
By combining these methods – vocal and physical work, emotional immersion, detailed script analysis, and collaboration, I aimed to create a portrayal of Dr. King that was both authentic and deeply human, allowing the audience to see him as not just a leader, but a man with the weight of the movement on his shoulders grappling with his own fears and hopes.
What challenges have you encountered in portraying such an iconic and significant figure, and how have you worked through them?
Portraying Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. comes with a unique set of challenges, given his iconic status and the deep emotional weight of his legacy.
He is a figure who embodies immense strength, moral authority and historical significance. One of the biggest challenges was balancing this extraordinary persona with the human vulnerability that ‘The Mountaintop’ reveals. The play doesn’t just show Dr. King as a leader; it shows him as a man with doubts, fears and personal struggles. Finding that balance between the public icon and the private man was crucial. To work through this, I focused on humanising him. I reminded myself that, despite his extraordinary achievements, he was still a man – someone who faced the same fears and uncertainties that we all do. I made it a point to portray his moments of vulnerability as authentically as possible, without diminishing the respect and reverence his legacy commands.
Another significant challenge was capturing Dr. King’s distinctive voice and physical presence. His speeches are powerful and deeply engrained in our collective memory, so any deviation could be jarring for the audience. The issue is that the audience would have only heard Dr. King speak in a professional capacity. Therefore I needed to be able to decipher what his private/off camera voice would be – what his relaxed, native voice was when he was speaking to friends from back home. To address this, I dedicated a lot of time to vocal and physical training. I studied his speeches to understand the rhythm, cadence, and emotion behind his words. I took note of the vocal quality in his voice when he was emotional as this often reveals the true accent. I also had to find the right balance between an accurate portrayal and making the voice my own.
Another challenge is the emotional weight of the role. Dr. King’s final hours, as depicted in the play, are filled with emotional complexity. Carrying that weight night after night can be draining and challenging. To manage this, I take a quiet moment to separate myself from the character when the curtains go down or at the end of a rehearsal. It was also important for me to stay grounded in my own life, maintaining a balance between the intensity of the role and my personal well-being. I will go to the gym, walk or meditate to bring me back to my centre.
There’s an inherent pressure when portraying someone as significant as Dr. King. Audiences come in with their own expectations and there’s a responsibility to honour his legacy while also bringing something fresh and genuine to the role. To navigate this, I focused on the story and the character’s truth rather than trying to meet every expectation. I trusted the script, the director and my own instincts. I reminded myself that my job was to tell this particular story in a way that was honest and impactful, rather than attempting to be a perfect replica of Dr. King.
Overall, these challenges were significant, but they also made the role incredibly rewarding. Each obstacle pushed me to deepen my understanding of Dr. King and to bring my very best to the performance.
How do you balance honouring Dr. King’s legacy with bringing your own interpretation and perspective to the role?
Balancing the need to honour Dr. King’s legacy while bringing my own interpretation to the role is a delicate and deeply thoughtful process.
The first step is grounding my work in a deep respect for Dr. King’s legacy. I recognise that he’s not just a character; he’s a historical figure who changed the course of history. As a proud black man there is no shying away from the personal impact of both what he accomplished and honouring his legacy. The research I have done gives me a solid foundation, ensuring that my portrayal is rooted in truth and authenticity.
Dr. King’s message of justice, equality, and nonviolence is central to who he was. As I bring my own interpretation to the role, I always keep his core principles at the forefront. I ask myself: How do I embody these values in my performance? What aspects of his character and message can I amplify through my unique lens as an actor? By focusing on these essential elements, I can ensure that my portrayal remains true to the spirit of who Dr. King was.
As an actor, it’s important to bring my own voice and perspective to any role. While I deeply respect Dr. King’s legacy, I also recognise that every portrayal is, to some extent, a personal interpretation. I bring my own emotional experiences and interpretation of the script, my own understanding of fear, doubt, and hope and channel those into the character. I trust Katori’s script and Nathan’s vision.
Finally, I consider the audience’s expectations and emotions. People come to this play with a reverence for Dr. King but they also come to be moved, to see something new, and to connect with the man behind the legend. By staying true to the character’s core while allowing my own interpretation to shine through, I aim to create a performance that resonates on both a historical and an emotional level.
In what ways do you think “The Mountaintop” sheds light on aspects of Dr. King’s life and legacy that are less commonly explored?
‘The Mountaintop’ offers a unique and intimate look at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by focusing on the lesser-known aspects of his life and legacy, particularly his humanity, vulnerabilities, and the personal burdens he carried which are often-overlooked facets.
The play is set in the hours before his assassination, in the privacy of his motel room, where he is stripped of his public persona. We see him wrestling with his own mortality, questioning whether his work has been enough and expressing fears about the future. This depiction makes him relatable and human, showing that even someone as revered as Dr. King had moments of uncertainty and fragility.
The play delves into the emotional and psychological toll that the civil rights movement had on Dr. King. We often think of him as a tireless leader, but ‘The Mountaintop’ reveals the exhaustion and weariness that came with that role. It explores the immense pressure he was under, not just from external threats but from within himself – the constant push to do more, to be more, for the cause. This perspective sheds light on the cost of leadership, especially when the stakes are so high.
The setting of the play allows for a level of intimacy that’s rarely associated with Dr. King. In this private space, we hear his innermost thoughts and see his personal interactions. The character, Camae, gives him the permission to be vulnerable, funny and flirtatious. ‘The Mountaintop’ challenges the mythologised version of Dr. King that history often presents. This isn’t the Dr. King of public speeches and rallies; this is a man alone with his thoughts, grappling with the weight of his mission and the reality of his own human limitations.
How has working with Nathan Powell as director influenced your performance and understanding of the role?
Working with Nathan Powell as the director of ‘The Mountaintop’ has had a profound influence on my performance and understanding of the role. Working with him again is an absolute pleasure, there is a safety that comes from working with him especially on a play of this nature. He makes me feel safe and at home.
Nathan has a keen eye for emotional detail and nuance, which has been instrumental in helping me delve deeper into Dr. King’s character. From the start, he encouraged me to explore not just the historical and public aspects of Dr. King but also the emotional undercurrents that drive his actions and decisions in the play. From very early on in the rehearsals for our performed read last year, Nathan had us round the table uniting the script and interrogating the reason our character speaks the words they speak. Nathan’s emphasis on these subtleties has allowed me to tap into the vulnerability and inner conflict of the character, making my portrayal more layered and authentic.
Nathan’s directorial style is highly collaborative which has been incredibly valuable in shaping my understanding of the role. He creates an open environment where ideas and interpretations are freely exchanged. This collaborative approach has enabled me to experiment with different facets of Dr. King’s personality and to refine my portrayal based on feedback and discussion. Nathan’s willingness to explore various angles of the character has given me the freedom to bring my own insights and personal experiences into the role, while still staying true to the script and the historical figure.
One of Nathan’s key directives has been to focus on the humanity of Dr. King and lean into his fears, his family, childhood, likes and dislikes; rather than just his status as an icon. He consistently pushed me to find the man behind the legend. This focus on humanity has been pivotal in my approach to the role, allowing me to connect with Dr. King on a personal level and convey that connection to the audience. Nathan’s guidance in this area has helped me portray Dr. King as a complex, multifaceted individual, rather than a one-dimensional hero.
Nathan also instructed the assistant director (Ollie Khurshid) to work on our physicality. Ollie did an amazing job discovering where our characters sat physically. Although Dr. King has immense gravitas, Ollie encouraged me to find some of the lighter, airy qualities in his movement, to explore the variables of direct and indirect movements in given circumstances. Through some contact improvisation, we were able to explore how mine and Justina’s movements affected each other.
What I can only describe as Nathan’s relaxed confidence in me has been a great comfort. He would nonchalantly ask me to perform bold tasks knowing that I would benefit from them. That “you can do it, you’ll be fine” attitude he has is so empowering. He pushes the boundaries to make discoveries and get the best out of me.
In essence, Nathan’s direction has been instrumental not just in shaping my performance but by creating a connection between the two actors in the space. His emphasis on emotional depth, Meisner technique, authenticity and humanity has not only deepened my understanding of Dr. King but also enriched my portrayal of him, allowing me to bring a nuanced, powerful, and deeply personal interpretation of this iconic figure to the stage; while being affected, and having the ability to affect the other actor on stage.
What do you hope audiences take away from your portrayal of Dr. King and the themes explored in “The Mountaintop”?
In my portrayal of Dr. King, I hope audiences walk away with a deeper, more personal understanding of who he was – not just as a leader, but as a human being.
I want audiences to see Dr. King as a man who, despite his extraordinary achievements, had fears, doubts, and vulnerabilities like anyone else; a human with flaws. By showing his humanity, I hope to remind people that even the greatest figures in history and indeed our celebrities and icons today are still human, facing the same internal struggles that we all do. This can inspire us to recognise that we don’t have to be perfect to make a difference; we just have to be committed and courageous in our own ways.
The play explores the immense pressure and emotional toll that comes with being a leader, especially one who is constantly under threat. I hope audiences gain a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices Dr. King made, not just in terms of the tragic end to his life but in the personal costs – the exhaustion, the isolation, the fears that he had to suppress to keep pushing forward. Understanding this weight can deepen our respect for his legacy and the courage it took to sustain his mission.
I hope audiences come away with a nuanced understanding that legacy is not just about success or failure; it’s about the totality of a person’s journey, including their imperfections and the challenges they overcame. This can lead to a broader discussion about how we remember our heroes, the importance of embracing the full scope of their humanity and to carry their work forward.
Dr. King’s perseverance is a powerful reminder that progress often comes at a great personal cost but it’s a cost worth bearing if it leads to meaningful change. Although the play is set in 1968, its themes are incredibly relevant to today’s world. Issues of racial justice, inequality, and the fight for civil rights are still very much alive. I hope audiences leave the theatre with a renewed sense of urgency to continue Dr. King’s work in whatever ways they can.
I hope that this experience not only enriches their understanding of history, but also inspires them to carry forward the ideals that Dr. King fought so hard for and keep passing the baton.
How do you see the themes of the play connecting with contemporary social and political issues?
The themes of ‘The Mountaintop’ resonate powerfully with contemporary social and political issues, drawing direct connections between Dr. King’s era and the challenges we face today.
At its core, ‘The Mountaintop’ is about the struggle for racial justice, a fight that remains deeply relevant today. Dr. King’s work focused on dismantling systemic racism and while progress has been made, many of the issues he fought against, be it police brutality, voter suppression, workers rights, economic inequality are all unfortunately, still relevant today. The play’s exploration of these themes serves as a reminder that the civil rights movement is ongoing, urging audiences to continue the work that Dr. King and others began.
The play highlights the emotional and psychological costs of leading a movement, offering a window into the sacrifices that modern-day leaders and activists still make in the pursuit of justice; risking persecution. This connection underscores the importance of supporting those who stand up for change and recognising the human aspect of leadership.
Dr. King’s struggle to balance his public duties with his private fears is a theme that resonates in today’s world, where public figures and activists are often expected to be invulnerable. Social media and constant public scrutiny can make it difficult for leaders to show vulnerability or admit doubt. ‘The Mountaintop’ invites audiences to consider the human side of those who are often placed on pedestals, encouraging empathy and understanding for the challenges they face.
In an era where people are increasingly concerned with how they’ll be remembered, fears of being cancelled, whether through social media or historical impact, the play offers an exploration of what it means to leave a legacy.
‘The Mountaintop’ emphasises the importance of hope and resilience in the face of overwhelming challenges. Dr. King’s determination to continue fighting, even when the odds seemed insurmountable, mirrors the resilience required of activists today. In a time when social and political issues can feel overwhelmingly complex and progress slow, the play serves as a reminder that hope and perseverance are essential to any movement for change.
Dr. King’s work was part of a broader civil rights movement that sought to achieve equality and justice for all. Today movements like Black Lives Matter continue this fight, addressing many of the same issues that Dr. King confronted. The play connects these historical and contemporary struggles, highlighting the ongoing nature of the fight for civil rights and the need for continued vigilance and activism.
Can you share any memorable moments or experiences from rehearsals or performances that have been particularly meaningful to you?
We have only had a short amount of rehearsal time so far but there have been several memorable moments during the rehearsals that have left a lasting impact on me.
One of the most powerful moments for me was when Nathan pulled out lots of papers and handed them to me. I looked down at the endless words on the pages. “It’s the mountain top speech” he said calmly. I knew exactly what it was but what I didn’t know is why he had a glint in his eye. He smiled and told me I had 5 minutes to prepare for a performed read of it for everyone. I’m not the strongest sight reader but it was clear he wasn’t entertaining any protest. So I took the 5 minutes and quickly realised that any attempt to familiarise myself with the whole speech was futile.
I fully delivered Dr. King’s “I have been to the mountaintop” speech in rehearsal. Suddenly the weight of those words, combined with the responsibility of portraying such an iconic figure, hit me hard. The room was silent and I could feel the energy of the company as I spoke. It was a moment where I felt truly connected to Dr. King’s spirit and the significance of his message. That experience reinforced the importance of the role and through Dr. King’s use of rhetoric, I was reminded of the power of storytelling.
During the final performance of last year’s performed reading, there was a moment when I felt an overwhelming connection with the audience. It was during a scene where Dr. King speaks about the struggles and sacrifices of the civil rights movement. As I looked out into the audience, I could see the intensity of their engagement – their eyes locked on me, some with tears, others nodding in agreement. There was a palpable energy in the room, as if the audience was right there with me, experiencing the weight of those words together. After the performance, several audience members approached Justina and I to share how deeply they were moved including the artistic director of the Curve, Nikolai Foster. Knowing that the performance had resonated so strongly with them was incredibly meaningful and affirmed the power of theatre to create shared emotional experiences.
Each of these experiences has deepened my connection to the role and to the play as a whole. They’ve reminded me of the significance of portraying Dr. King, not just as a historical figure but as a deeply human individual whose struggles and triumphs continue to resonate today. These moments have reinforced the importance of the work we’re doing and the impact it can have on audiences.
A Curve and MAST Mayflower Studios production, touring Autumn 2024.
Tour Dates:
Curve, Leicester | 21 Sep – 5 Oct
MAST Mayflower Studios, Southampton | 9 – 12 Oct
Stratford East, London | 29 Oct – 2 Nov
For more information, visit: MountaintopTour2024