> Actress Josie Wilka on the set of 'Superman'
Cleveland State student takes on her biggest challenge
> If someone says, “Guess who just landed a role in Superman?”, your first thought is some A-lister from a hit streaming show or indie heartthrob. An actor with an agent on both the West Coast and East Coast and a standing reservation at Gwen. 
For Josie Wilka, though, the journey was a little different — and a lot more inspiring.
Growing up in Owensville, Mo., Josie’s acting career began almost by accident when her high school musical desperately needed a lead. Just 10 days before opening night, she was pulled out of math class and thrust into the spotlight as the world’s most famous candy maker, Willy Wonka. From that moment, Josie discovered a deep passion for acting - one that would eventually lead her to Cleveland State University.
While at CSU, Josie seized the opportunity to audition as a background performer in James Gunn’s Superman, shot in downtown Cleveland over several hot and hazy weeks. She landed a spot among fellow background actors after taking a few quick headshots in her living room and crossing her fingers.
Then, just as Josie’s acting career began to pick up speed, life, as it often does, threw her a curveball. She was diagnosed with Moyamoya disease, a rare condition that affects blood flow to the brain. Instead of letting this diagnosis derail her dreams, Josie used it as a reminder to cherish every moment and pursue her passion with even more determination.
>> If you’d like to help Josie, Angie Wilka, her mother, set up a GoFundMe to help pay medical costs associated with Josie’s diagnosis. <<
In this Q&A with Midwest Movie Maker, Josie shares how she’s navigating her health, her career, and her dreams for the future.
Wilka as Rizzo from 'Grease'
Act I: Josie’s Journey Begins
Midwest Movie Maker (MMM): What inspired you to pursue a career in acting? What was your journey?
Josie Wilka (JW): Well, my journey began in the small town of Owensville where I grew up. During my freshman year of high school, due to unforeseen circumstances, that semester’s musical, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Jr., found itself in need of a lead.
Just 10 days before opening night, the director pulled me out of math class, said she saw potential in me, and selected me for the lead role, Willy Wonka. It was an incredible opportunity.
But I had never even spoken a single word on stage. And not even my own mother had heard me sing.
Despite the fear, I took a bold step outside of my comfort zone. On the other side, I discovered a deep passion for acting. After that, I participated in every show my small town had to offer
MMM: Tell me a bit about your journey to Cleveland State.
JW: I knew I needed to pursue opportunities in a larger setting. This realization led me to Cleveland State University. After visiting the campus and learning about the school’s partnership with Playhouse Square and their vibrant inner-city campus, I knew I had found my new home. Little did I know at the time just how kind and supportive the staff and the entire theater community would be.
MMM: Can you share some of the most memorable roles or projects you've worked on so far?
JW: Playing a role like Rizzo or Cinderella that everybody knew was, of course, incredible, and I loved every single second I could bring those iconic characters to life. But I find it more fulfilling to bring a character to life that no one is familiar with.
During my senior year, I had the opportunity to portray a young girl named Star in a play called John Lennon and Me written by Cherie Bennett. Star had cystic fibrosis, and the play was based entirely in the hospital where 13-year-old Star spent the majority of her life. She dreams of being an actress, but her illness unfortunately gets in her way.
I didn’t realize then how much more this play would mean to me until just recently, after my diagnosis. If I could go back in time, the play’s dramatic end would have an entirely new meaning to me.
Years later, Star is still teaching me to not give up and never let anybody or anything knock me down. Star is a dreamer. Despite her challenges, her dream never fades.
Nor will mine.
Actress Josie Wilka
Act II: Up, Up and Acting
MMM: What challenges have you faced in your acting career, and how have you overcome them?
JW: Coming from a small town, I always felt like I was one step behind. I didn't have the opportunities that kids from larger schools take for granted. But at the end of the day, it's about me, my talent, and what I plan to do with it. I've learned that there are no steps. It's about your determination to get where you want to be and be who you want to be.
MMM: What advice would you give to other young aspiring actors and actresses looking to pursue an education and career in acting?
JW: If this career is something you want, then you have to put in the work just like everything else. Audition, take classes, give it everything you’ve got, and never stop learning.
MMM: How did you land the role of a background performer on Superman?
JW: I heard the rumors along with everyone else in Cleveland. So when I heard of a link floating around the school’s film department looking for background extras for a new movie, I knew I had to get that link. I didn’t have updated headshots so I took some shots in my living room, sent them in with the other info, and crossed my fingers.
MMM: Are you a Superman fan?
JW: Yes, and being on the set of Superman was truly a dream come true for me. My love for Superman started early on, connecting to Clark Kent's small-town roots. The first comic book in my collection was an issue of Man of Steel. Since then, my love for the character has only grown.
MMM: Can you describe your experience on the set of Superman? What was it like working on such a high-profile, big-budget feature?
JW: I can't divulge much, but for a young actor just getting into the industry it was a dream.
MMM: Did you learn any lessons or gain any insights?
JW: I learned a lot of valuable information I will cherish and use forever. Most of all it reminded me that this is where I want to be and I’ll do whatever it takes to get there again.
MMM: What can you tell us about your next project?
JW: Though I'm at a pausing point right now, I’m always eager to see what Cleveland has to offer, both on camera and on the stage, not to mention the endless performing opportunities I have as an actor at Cleveland State.
Wilka as Star from 'John Lennon and Me'
Act III: Time to Act
MMM: How has your recent diagnosis with Moyamoya disease impacted your life and your career?
JW: As much as I don’t want it to impact my life, it's already affected the way I think. It has made me realize there’s so much more that I want to do and accomplish, and also how much I need to learn about myself as an actress and the best path forward for my health. One thing that remains constant: I am who I am, and that’s a kind, determined, weird, nerdy, loving, and driven person - despite Moyamoya. That will never change.
MMM: What steps are you taking to manage your health while continuing to pursue your acting career?
JW: I’m checking in with myself more often, remembering that this is the only life I have. Although this has scared me to work harder, I can’t push myself too far, or it will all be over.
I am a very outgoing and energetic person and this has forced me to slow down more than I want. I hate it but I know it's what’s best for me now and will give me a better chance at a good surgical outcome.
MMM: How has your diagnosis changed your perspective on life and your goals for the future, both personally and professionally?
JW: I always knew that challenges were bound to come up because that’s life. So, I’m treating this as a minor roadblock. Someday it will be just another chapter in my story. All I can do is adapt, move on, and overcome.
And my story is a lot like Clark Kent’s. I mean the parallels are uncanny. Smallville-Owensville, Cleveland-Metropolis.
Who knows? This might just be my hero origin story.
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