Today we’d like to introduce you to Lamont J. Hill.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lamont. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio where I started singing at a very young age at church and with a community gospel choir (Vessels) where a lot of solid foundation was laid and creative gifts were cultivated. Ever since I can remember, I’ve been surrounded by music, dance, and theatre. Throughout middle school and high school, I had the same chorus teacher who was very strict with teaching theory, aural harmony, and sight reading. I always felt that he was hard on me but I now understand that he saw my potential and pushed me to be great. I also began writing plays at an early age and in 2000, my mother produced one of them in downtown Cincinnati’s Aronoff Theatre. I received a B.A. Communication degree from Berea College and though I didn’t graduate with a theatre or performance degree, destiny has its way of getting you on the road which you belong.
Also, during this time, I was 1 of 5 members of a national recording group, Called II Worship. I was also apart of the Cincinnati Black Theatre Co. where my passion for acting was reignited after several years of not doing it. So here it is, years later, after doing the corporate America thing, that one day it hit me that I really need to take my crafts seriously. There was too much inside of me to waste away behind a desk and computer. From making that decision and actively working on my craft with XXI Century Ent (Atlanta), I signed with BMG Atlanta & Five Star Talent Management for representation and packed up and relocated to Atlanta in January 2017. In that same year upon booking several print ad shoots, I also booked my first professional theatre show with Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre where I got the chance to work with Jasmine Guy, Kenny Leon, and Jamil Jude. From there, the floodgates opened for me and are still opening.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t think any road in this life is smooth but it’s totally worth it. I believe that as long as you know your lane and drive in that, though it may get rough at times, you will see success! I would say my biggest challenges along the way have been comparison. Not to mention, when I finally got serious about acting, I was 30 years old and wondered “what if I’m too old?” or “Did I wait too late?” I hadn’t even gone to school for acting. Then there’s the fear of both failure and success. I had to and continuously have to work through my emotions and encourage myself to keep going even when it gets hard. I remember my first year in Atlanta, I did a lot of extra, stand-in, ensemble, and understudy work.
Though it was still work I sometimes felt “not good enough” and that motivated me to work harder. My resolve is simply, “no one can beat you doing you!” There can be 100 people in an audition room but there’s something unique that no one else can bring in a room but you. Once I understood that it has helped my confidence. One of the biggest struggles that I need to point out is when I relocated to Atlanta, I left the comfort of a 9 to 5 steady income and I didn’t have a lot of money in my savings. I was faithful to acting classes here in Atlanta and they aren’t cheap! I have had to and continuously have to make sacrifices to pour into myself as an artist. I’m truly thankful for my family who have been a great support system. Their support and belief in me pushes me on a daily to be better. I realize that Acting is something that I was put on this earth to do and because of that fact, I have to keep going!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am an actor/singer/writer. Most of my professional career has been in musical theatre. I’ve performed a number of shows on a community theatre level as well as professional regional theatre. One of my defining moments here in Atlanta, I’d say, was being cast as Harpo in Actor’s Express’ The Color Purple back in 2018 (Shout out to David Kote and Freddie Ashley). That was truly the show that catapulted me. I was nominated for a Suzi Bass Award for my performance and booked many other regional shows with some pretty amazing theatres here in Atlanta. Special shout out to City Springs Theatre, Wallace Buice, True Colors, Lyric Theatre, and Actors Express for giving myself and so many other actors opportunities to work and tell amazing stories. My most recent job as a Production Vocalist with NCLH has made way for me to perform and travel the world. All these experiences are absolutely priceless. While I love musical theatre, I am actively pursuing film/tv work and hope to flourish in that arena very soon. When a director tells me that they love my passion on stage, that makes me proud of my work and gives me the push I need to keep growing. Fun Fact: I also have music available on all digital music outlet stores! Check em out!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I could point out countless things that I wish I could go back and do differently, however, everything happens for a reason and it has all made me who I am today. The good, bad, and the ugly has all worked for my good. I used to say, “man, I wish I would’ve gotten an acting degree during undergrad” but honestly it is as if I never missed a beat. As a matter of fact, I was contacted by my alma mater’s Conservatory Theatre Department and was invited to be apart of an Alumni show for their 120th Anniversary. What a defining moment that was to be welcomed by the professors and colleagues as though I had graduated in the program. Everything comes back full circle!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @lamontjhill
Image Credit:
Marquitta Minniefield, Casey Gardner, Christian Webb, Henry Tom
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