Check Out Tabitha Jordan’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tabitha Jordan.

Hi Tabitha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I wasn’t in the drama club. I never even considered acting, theatre, film, any of it, until a co-worker asked if I was interested in being in a play he was directing, Play it Again, Sam.
I hated public speaking and thought it could help me get over my fear of being
“myself.” I, very reluctantly, agreed but had no clue just how fulfilling it would be to get up on stage and, in a sense, not be me. I fell in love. After a few more plays, I joined a mystery dinner theatre troupe and eventually started meeting “film people.” I fell even more in love. I got some headshots and an agent and started looking at acting and film schools. I was making big plans. Then I started making up reasons not to. Excuses. I was so scared to fail that I didn’t even try. And that was that…for almost two decades…until one random day, four years ago, an old friend, Isaac Stovall, reached out and asked if I wanted to be in his YouTube zombie apocalypse series. I absolutely did.

So, almost exactly 20 years since being asked to perform in my very first play, I reignited my love for acting, for film. I went on to also help write and direct Isaac’s series, Isolation. I did a few short films here and there and worked on as many sets as I could. In 2023, I was able to get in as background for Francis Coppola’s Megalopolis and I’ll never forget my second day on set. I remember watching the crew buzzing around getting set up for the next shot and my fellow background actors decked out in their amazing wardrobe. And that was it. That’s the moment I knew I was where I was meant to be. For the first time in my life, I knew where I belonged. For so many years I had toiled over what path to take and never felt satisfied with the choices I made. It wasn’t some extraordinary thing that happened to me that made me realize I wanted to seriously pursue a film career. It was that simple feeling, like when that last puzzle piece just falls into place.

Since then, Isaac and I have written, directed and produced a series together. I play the lead, Anna, a mother forced to reckon with the undead and survivors of a viral zombie outbreak as well as the person she has to become in order to protect her daughter. We are nearing the end of production and hope to see it on the big screen soon!

Jonathan, I’ll never know why you asked me to play the Intellectual Girl all those years ago, but it sparked a passion inside of me. And to Isaac, my bestie, same. I don’t know why you asked me but I’m so glad you did! I am forever grateful.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Even though I’m so thankful to know what I want, there are still struggles. And there will be, no matter the path we choose. I’m a single mother to a child who was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome and currently with Crohn’s disease and his health takes precedence over anything else. Sometimes we have to travel several hours to get to his specialists, which means everything else is on hold. And that’s okay. That is just where we are right now.
My day job, baking desserts, is another creative outlet for me. My schedule is somewhat flexible. However, taking time off for longer projects has proven to be difficult as I am essentially the only one who does my job.
Lastly, it’s the same challenge I believe many of us face: self-doubt. I have to very much push myself to put myself out there. Acting started as a way to kind of avoid being my true self but in the end I’m realizing I still have to accept and embrace me.

I wouldn’t say the road to where I am today has been smooth, per se, but it has been interesting, enlightening…a road worth traveling. I’m still learning how to appreciate the journey. Even though there are many miles to go, I know I wouldn’t be where I am without it.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Acting is what I’m currently focusing on. I have tried my hand in the Art Department from Art PA to Production Designer on several different projects. While I do love and appreciate the art of creating the visual world of film, it’s not where my heart is and not where I want to put my energy.
I’m still learning what roles and character types I resonate with most. Even though it scares me, I love the challenge of a new character, one that I may not necessarily see in myself at first.
So far, I’ve had a blast slashing zombies and learning a bit of light stuntwork in On the Run. Playing Anna has also challenged me with some intense emotional moments—having to reach deep to bring raw grief and fear up to the surface with the hopes of connecting to the audience. This project has truly given me so much; on set experience, friendship, a chance to work with extremely talented actors and crew and what I view as a chance to grow as an actor, writer and director. I am so proud of On the Run and thankful for every single one of you who has helped make this a reality.
Never in a million years would I have auditioned for this role but Isaac believed in it and in me.
And I hope you will too when you watch our first two episodes premiere on October 19th!
You can see some of my other work in titles like Regarding the Beauregards, Slay Queens: A Mockumentary and Black Widower.
Purchase your tickets here: Hope to see you there!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/on-the-run-theatrical-screening-tickets-1543564485929?ut

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I try to view success as a path. I take pride in my work, whether it’s my dream job or not, or not a job at all…which means I try to give it my all. If I can fulfill a need for someone, that is success for me. If I make a dessert customers love and request, that is success. If the director is excited about my performance, that is success. These smaller wins lead me down a path to happiness by giving me the confidence and self esteem to continue.

I think it looks different for everyone and can be fluid. Our idea of success may change over time depending on values and experiences. One thing I feel adamant about regarding success is happiness. If you’re working 60hrs/week, bringing home 150K a year but you’re miserable at your job, you don’t have time for your family and you feel like your dreams are slipping further away with every passing year…is that success? For me, that would be a no. But for someone else, it might be the ultimate achievement. If you can work that day job but it allows you the time and financial freedom to do the things you love, then I would consider that successful!

For now, I see success as building a stable career in acting and eventually directing films—one that allows me to devote myself fully to filmmaking while bringing happiness to me and my family.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabithaejordan/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tabithaejordan/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@igsfilmsupstate