I always keep some form of cartoon or comic book with me, especially Batman - he's my favorite. The reason I keep them around is that it keeps the kid in me alive. Some older folks, they like to drink - can't wait to get old. Me? I like to stay young. I know I'm going to be get older, but I can at least be young at heart so I read these comic books so I keep myself right on that level of kid to keep me having fun on stage.
James Monroe IglehartI keep "leave me alone, I'm busy " pretending to work sign with me because my dad once told me to find a job that you would do for free and I would do this job for free. But I would be a performer for free because that's all I've ever loved to do. I've worked so hard to get to the point where work doesn't feel like work. So when I come to work, I'm actually coming to play - I'm coming to recess. So, when you see me, leave me alone, I'm busy ... pretending to work.
James Monroe IglehartWhen you see big people, they expect them to wobble or something. The whole feeling of bigger people in this country is so negative. This works for me.
James Monroe IglehartPeople think that [I will leave Aladdin after Tony reward], but what they don't understand is that we actually enjoy what we are doing. This wonderful company that I work for has allowed me to do other things while I'm doing this.
James Monroe IglehartI remembered getting the script for the auditions [of Aladdin], I had asked someone there if improvs were allowed, and he said everyone is sticking to the script. I said to myself that they are either going to love me or hate me. I was crossing out lines and throwing in my own lines. I went into the room and started doing things. They were like, "This boy is nuts! We should keep him." That's how it all came about.
James Monroe Iglehart