Today we’d like to introduce you to J.L. Reed.
Thanks for sharing your story with us J.L. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was drawn to theatre at an early age. I remember auditioning for the role of a narrator in a play my third-grade class wrote. From what I recall, the play was about a family wandering through the desert. Apparently, I was able to fight against the sandstorm better than the classmates I was up against. I continued to perform in various school plays from elementary through high school.
When I got to college–Shaw University in Raleigh, NC, I didn’t plan on majoring in theatre; I thought I’d just take a few classes that would hopefully fit into my schedule as an Elementary Ed, then English Ed major. After my first college acting class, I was pretty set on making life as an actor work. My first professional gig was Vladmir in ‘Waiting for Godot’ (I was way too young, and I guess they were desperate). I was overwhelmed by the experience, but I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. I had my first taste of professional theatre and I wanted much more. Just before graduating, I was cast in an all-Black production of The Cherry Orchard with Little Green Pig Theatrical Concern in Durham, NC. Since the production was going up the fall after graduation, I decided to stick around the Triangle area and do as much theatre as possible.
After about two years in the Triangle, I moved back home to Winston-Salem, NC to be nomactor (nomad actor). I took gigs locally and out of the state when I could. Some of my favorite gigs included a national tour with a small theatre company based out of Massachusetts, a two-month run of a production of ‘Hamlet’ in Boston, and Terrence McNally’s ‘A Perfect Ganesh’ in Syracuse, NY.
Things slowed down a bit for me and I started to consider grad school–something I had initially wanted to do right after college. I settled back home in Winston and worked a few odd jobs while researching and visiting graduate acting programs. I remember seeing an advertisement for UGA’s program in Backstage. I sent in a headshot and resume and was invited to audition at one of the cattle calls or on campus. I knew that if I wanted to make this happen, it’d be best for me to show up experience things first-hand. I felt just okay about the audition. If things didn’t pan out, I planned to continue auditioning locally and regionally. A week or so after the audition, a professor from the program asked me to send him some references. I was thrilled about the direction things were going. Another few weeks later and I finally received word that I had been accepted into the program! The next steps included a not-so-fun preparation for the GRE and finger-crossing that they would have a full scholarship for me before the semester began.
Thankfully, all the pieces fell into place. I spent the next three years in a program I describe as wonderfully challenging–with all of the ups, downs, lefts, and rights. Once my time was up at UGA, it just made sense that I move to Atlanta and try to push through doors that I had my foot in. I’ve the great fortune to work fairly regularly in the theatre scene since arriving in 2015.
Has it been a smooth road?
Making a professional commitment to the arts, especially theatre, can be challenging. Unfortunately, this country doesn’t value artists in the way other countries do–namely financial support. You step into this profession because you have a passion. There’s likely nothing else you could see yourself doing longterm. Passion, however, doesn’t always connect with financial stability. I’m grateful that I’ve had part-time work that allowed me to pursue acting opportunities that, on their own, might prove problematic for my financial health. It’s all about multiple revenue streams!
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m a theatre artist and therefore I love the stage. I’m particularly drawn to physical and devised work. In the fall of 2017 at Synchronicity Theatre, I was involved in the highly physical staging of Kate Hamil’s ‘Sense & Sensibility.’ And last fall, with the same theatre, I was able to hone my physical comedy chops in ‘Nell Gwynn.’
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The Atlanta theatre scene is a great place! I recommend anyone interested in exploring any facet of theatre to look around and make a home. There are so many different kinds of theatre here as well. I think there’s something for all tastes in this town.
Contact Info:
- Email: reed.josephl@gmail.com
- Instagram: justiceleague_reed
Image Credit:
Single photo in tan costume with white stockings: Jerry Siegel; photo in double looking into camera: Jeff Watkins
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