Former ABCHomes resident is pursuing acting career in Big Apple

Gazing at the muscular bodybuilder on the cover of a church musical script, then middle-schooler Frank Watson believed there was no way he would ever land the lead role of Hans Bronson.

“I remember looking at the cover of the musical, and on it was a picture of a big muscular white guy,” recalled Watson who is African-American and grew up at the Baptist Home for Children in Monticello. “I remember thinking to myself, ‘there is no way that you are going to get that part.’”

But at the urging of Susan Akin, a member of First Baptist Church of Monticello, Watson tried out for the lead role. He won the part, sparking his love for acting.
“When Mrs. Susan asked me, I thought she was completely blind and maybe she hadn’t had the opportunity to look at the cover of the musical,” Watson recalled. “But after I got the role, I realized that she wasn’t blind. She was just ‘color’ blind. She saw my talent and not my race. That experience really boosted my confidence and I realized that I could do anything in life regardless of my race.”

Now more than 20 years later, Watson is co-starring in the film Listen to Your Heart. Watson plays the leading male actor’s best friend Roger.

The independent film, starring Cybill Shepherd, premiered at the New York International Film Festival in August, where it was awarded the People’s Choice Award for Best Feature. It has also won numerous awards at Rhode Island International Film Festival, Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival, North Country Film Festival, AOF International Film Festival, and the Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood.

To watch a preview, visit www.ListentoYourHeartfilm.com. It can be purchased at www.amazon.com and video on command sites.

A native of Little Rock, Watson said he owes much of his success to the love, care and guidance he received growing up at the Baptist Home. Without it, there is no telling where he would have ended up, he said.
In and out of foster homes much of his young life, Watson came to the Monticello Home during the summer prior to the 6th grade. He remained until his adoption by a local Monticello family at age 16.

He won’t soon forget the great times at the Home, including riding horses, trips to Little Rock and Christmas celebrations. “I was amazed at how giving the Baptist churches in Arkansas were to helping ensure that every child at the Baptist Home had a great Christmas,” he said.

Recalling his stay at Senior Boy’s Cottage, Watson expressed his appreciation to his houseparents and their “love for all of the boys … Mrs. Virginia would always make a personalized birthday cake for each of us,” he said. “Although I didn’t have a ‘typical’ family, they did their absolute best to make sure that we operated as a family and that we loved one another as brothers.”

While he has many fond memories of the Home, Watson added, “The one thing I value the most was being able to come to a place that taught us the importance of Christianity and having God first in your life. That is something that has stuck with me over the years.”
While in high school, Watson’s love for acting flourished. Although in the back of his mind he dreamed of becoming an actor, his adoptive parents, Dwight and Melissia Vincent, taught him the importance of getting a college education.

He would go on to receive a full scholarship to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he majored in marketing. After receiving his diploma, he decided to pursue his dreams of acting, and moved to New York City. He attended The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. At the Conservatory Watson focused on Miesner as a basis for his acting. He also was a member of the hand selected improvisation troop that performed at the famous Don’t Tell Mama Comedy Club in Times Square.

Currently Watson is living in New York City while working and pursuing acting and modeling. He’s still a “huge Razorback fan,” he noted.
Randy Luper, Monticello campus director, praised Watson’s accomplishments.

“Though coming to the Arkansas Baptist Home for Children from a difficult life situation, Frank was a true survivor,” shared Luper. “He was dedicated to the task, a joy to be with and has always sported his trademark beautiful smile.

“Hopefully, Frank will remember we ‘little people’ when he hits the big screen. I’m sure he will. That’s just the kind of person Frank is.”