Joshua Carl’s story begins once upon a time, when he was just six years old. Back in 2014, he created his very first YouTube channel, using a webcam to film himself playing Minecraft “Headcore Mode” (as he called it) and talking to whoever might be watching. While other kids were drawing and watching cartoons, Joshua was busy learning how to express himself through video games and music. Those early recordings were a little rough around the edges, but they lit a spark. He didn’t know exactly where it would lead, but something about creating and sharing those creations felt right, and it has been part of his life ever since.
In 2019, he saw his first live show, Shrek the Musical, in Branson, Missouri, and everything clicked. Watching those actors bring characters to life right in front of him was unforgettable. The lights, the music, the laughter from the crowd, it all felt like magic. That night made one thing clear: Joshua didn’t just want to sit in the audience. He wanted to be onstage, making people feel the same way he did during that show.
He got his first real chance in 2020 when he joined the cast of Matilda the Musical in middle school. It was his first time performing in front of a live audience, and it felt like home. The next year, in eighth grade, he landed his first lead role as Goméz Addams in The Addams Family. That role gave him the confidence to push forward and showed him he had something special to share. Being able to make people laugh, cry, and cheer showed him that performing was more than just fun. It was something he was meant to do.
Joshua’s creativity doesn’t stop at the stage. He is also a songwriter and musician who has released two albums, Loveseat and LOVELESS, both available on major streaming platforms. These projects gave him another outlet to express his thoughts and emotions. His music explores themes like identity, love, heartbreak, and acceptance. Currently, he’s working on a new album, titled lovesick. Writing and recording songs allows him to connect with people in a more personal way, and he brings the same honesty and heart to his music that he brings to every performance.
In high school, his theatre journey picked up speed. He played his first high school lead as Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher during his sophomore year in 2023. That performance stretched him as an actor and helped him find new confidence. In January 2024, he earned a Superior rating at the Nebraska Thespian Festival for his solo musical performance of “Extraordinary” from Pippin. Since then, he has taken on a wide range of roles, including Judah in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, J.B. Biggley in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Terk in Disney’s Tarzan the Musical, and Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the first ever premiere of this show in Nebraska. Each role has helped him grow as both a performer and a person.
In May 2025, Joshua was honored as the Outstanding Student Reporter for the Nebraska Theater Academy in Omaha and was named one of the Top 10 national finalists for the Jimmy Awards Student Reporter Search (watch his application video here). That recognition meant a lot because it celebrated not only his performance skills but also his voice as a storyteller. Joshua currently serves as the 2025-26 president of International Thespian Society’s Troupe #6547, located at Lincoln Southwest High School, where he leads, inspires, and helps shape the next generation of student performers. Whether he is acting, singing, writing, or filming, Joshua brings a deep passion for connection, creativity, and growth. He is excited for what lies ahead and is always looking for new ways to tell stories that matter.
