Photo Credit: Cathryn Farnsworth Photography

Lucas Barker may be young, but his experience as an actor started even before he could read. He is currently on the screens as Fleance, the son of Banquo on the thriller film 'The Tragedy of Macbeth,' written and directed by Joel Coen and based on the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. However, behind the scenes, Barker is a reasonably typical teenager interested in Computer Science. He belongs to his high school's robotics club, provides IT support to his neighborhood, and volunteers at a local senior community. In addition to being the local IT guy at the senior centers, Barker has helped raise money for women's shelters and clean water programs in California, and he has actively supported Riverhouse Children's House Durango in Colorado. To learn more about this young, but promising talent, please, continue reading below.

Where are you based?
We moved to Charleston, South Carolina, around a year ago from LA to be closer to family. We travel often based on work.

You have been acting since you were five years old. You have appearances in "Ratched," "Dave," "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia," "The Mentalist," "Justified," Criminal Minds," and as a mainstay on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in their sketches. Did you always want to become an actor?
Because I started so young, it wasn't something I was specifically looking to do. But as soon as I started, I knew it was something I wanted to continue doing for a long time.

'The Tragedy of Macbeth' was recently released. A thriller film written and directed by Joel Coen and based on the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Can you tell us a bit about the film?
The Tragedy of Macbeth is closely adapted to the original Shakespeare play, but with lots of its own touches. It follows the story of a Scottish Lord who is prophesized to become a king. This film is absolutely beautiful, not only in its story and actors, but in cinematography, costume and set design, and sound.

Spoiler alert! You are playing Fleance, the son of Banquo. Macbeth wants Fleance killed because he knows it is he who will inherit the crown, not his children. Could you tell us more about your character and how it was to film this epic fight?
Filming the intense scene where Fleance and Banquo are attacked was definitely new and fun to me. I have never done anything like it. I had a stunt double, which was interesting because I had to replicate his motions after falling off a horse. The scene turned out very suspenseful, so I'm glad about how it ended up.

How was it to play alongside Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand? Any great tips from Coen?
I was very nervous when I first met everyone, but it was one of the best experiences I've had in my acting career or even my life. Joel Coen was a fantastic director who really helped me reach my potential in this role. I learned a lot working on this character and lots of experience on a vast set which can definitely help me in the future. In one scene, Joel laid in the dirt with me to show me exactly the reaction he wanted to capture on camera. We then played it back on the cameras so I could see how it would look. Joel is very hands-on. Joel also maintains the most organized and focused set I have ever been on, overall it was calm and quiet, and everybody was able to focus and give their best work.

Working with Hollywood elite Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand was definitely intimidating at first. I was very nervous walking into the room at our first reading, but everyone made me feel like I belonged at the table. I got to watch these famous actors, prepare for roles and learn their processes which helped me develop my own plan for preparation. Denzel Washington is extremely focused once filming begins, working to stay in character the entire time.

Jejune is aware that you need to study dialect and learn to ride and act on horseback for your role. What were the most challenging things about playing Fleance?
The hardest part was understanding the language and dialect of this script. It was all new to me, and it took a lot of research and reading of the language. I read the original play several times. Onset, we worked with a dialect coach to help with proper dialect. I practiced the words repeatedly, especially on the drive to set daily. The horseback riding was super fun! I took lessons after school before filming began to be comfortable and appeared as if I was a natural!

Outside of the screens, you go to school and want to study computer science. This seems like a big difference from acting. How did you get interested in comp sci?
I've always liked computers and coding. I find it really interesting. There are essentially unlimited possibilities on what can be done with technology, and I hope to work with it to a point where I can be creating and developing new things.

Do you believe that computer science could somehow help the planet and bring awareness to many world issues?
Computer science absolutely can bring attention and change to issues. I think it could solve many problems, but it has to be used responsibly and carefully. As I said, there are unlimited possibilities, and one of the best things is that almost anyone could learn how to create something great.

Jejune is thrilled to know that you've been actively involved in humanitarian causes. Such as helping raise money for women's shelters and clean water programs in California and supporting Riverhouse Children's House Durango in Colorado. Could you tell us more about these projects and why you decided to be part of them?
Being a part of the student council at my school brought about a lot of opportunities to help out. I think these are some important causes that should be supported. Riverhouse Children's House specifically, I was initially involved because it was a part of the school I attended when I was young. I was helping wherever I could when it underwent huge renovations and fundraisers, and it was my first time contributing and volunteering at their fundraiser. I even went store to store in our town, asking businesses to donate to our silent auction.

As a family, you also support St.Jude and Tunnels for Towers foundation in honor of your grandfather, who recently passed. Could you tell us more about the foundation?
Tunnels for Towers primarily provides support to first responders and our military. My grandfather was a supporter of veterans, and it was near and dear to his heart. As a family, we regularly donate to this fantastic cause. St. Jude provides free care and research for children with cancer. Both of these are significant causes because they support people who need them.

We love that you provided IT and computer support to the local retirement community. Can you tell us a bit about that? How did this start?
Since I've gotten pretty good at tech, I've started helping those in my community who need assistance with computers/phones. I do what I can to help out using my skills. My grandmother recently moved into a retirement community, and of course, I helped her with her computer set up and issues, so from there, it snowballed into helping her neighbors.

How did you weather the pandemic? How did you stay positive during the shelter in place? Have you gone back to normal?
I handled it pretty well. I did miss seeing my friends, going places, and everything else. I kept positive by keeping in touch with friends online, learning new skills, and hanging with my family and dog. We were in the middle of filming The Tragedy of Macbeth when the production was shut down. The cast and crew were in ongoing communication, and the wardrobe department was worried I wouldn't fit in my costume any longer, especially the handmade shoes. Production was shut down to mid-summer 2020; we were the first movie to go back to work on the Warner Bros lot, which is usually super busy with lots of different films and tv being shot, so it's weird to be the only people. There were many safety protocols we had to follow in response to Covid, including multiple tests daily. After filming wrapped, In the middle of it all, we moved to Charleston, which was pretty crazy. We spent 16 days traveling across the United States, visiting many places we had never been to. Now that we're here, things have calmed down a lot, and it's mostly back to normal.

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Meet Lucas Barker - From Shakespeare To Tech!