John David Washington, a former professional football player who is now an actor, is in many respects following in the famous father’s footsteps.

The 38-year-old is scheduled to make his Broadway debut later this month with the September 19 Ethel Barrymore Theatre premiere of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson.

On Wednesday, John discussed the stress of having his Oscar-winning father, Denzel Washington, watch him perform on stage during a press conference advertising the play.

Washington and Wilson have a history together, according to PEOPLE, since Washington earned a Tony Award for his performance in Wilson’s drama Fences 12 years prior.

the freedom to experiment, fail, and learn from that failure. You’ll discover the best aspects of your artistic self in that discomfort ‘The Ballers alum spoke of his father’s teachings.

John will appear in The Piano Lesson opposite Oscar contender Samuel L. Jackson and Danielle Brooks from The Color Purple.

Jackson’s wife, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, is directing the play, and John stated that working on the production has been a really educational experience.

I think I’m in graduate school ‘said he. ‘I’m learning from this, for sure. I feel like I’m becoming into the kind of artist I’ve always wanted to be.’

The role of Boy Willie, which was first played by Jackson in The Piano Lesson when it made its stage debut at the Yale Repertory Theatre in 1987, will be played by John in the production, which will have its official opening on October 13.

The actor, who briefly played in the NFL before deciding to pursue acting, said that his work onstage in the Pulitzer Prize–winning play isn’t all that dissimilar from his time spent on the football field.

John admitted that as his first night on Broadway draws near, he has been experiencing ‘sleepless evenings.’

Although I’m having a nice time, it feels like boot camp, as I previously stated. You know, all the hours you put in were simply for drilling?

I live by the adage, “Professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong; average people practice till they get it right,’ ‘said he.

‘What does it mean to accomplish things correctly, then? It refers to the reality.To accurately and completely describe [my performance] while adhering to August Wilson’s standards for great writing.’