Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Jamal Ligon.
Hi Jason Jamal, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The first time I remember saying I want to be an actor was in high school when my older brother asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. My logic was that I couldn’t commit to one profession for my entire life, so as an actor I could live multiple lives in one. I had never taken an acting class and was too scared to even think of joining the drama club, but I was a live wire. I loved crying along with every episode of Grey’s Anatomy and I was a very sensitive child, maybe even a crybaby. I guess I was a closeted actor all those years. too afraid to come out by joining the high school drama club but always excited to participate in the church play or give my Easter speech with a little flair. My dad was probably just as excited as I was. He was the one who would coach me to speak up while rehearsing in our family room – to emphasize this word and not that. “Say, ‘I was the THIRD wiseman and I brought MYRTH’.”
By the time I got to Clemson University, I finally found enough courage to commit to acting, changing my major from engineering to conservation biology with a theater minor. I was no longer a closted actor. I was out, honey, but I was behind. I could tell that the other theater kids were lightyears ahead, but that just made me want it more. It felt like becoming a good actor was the key to discovering who I was. In my eyes, I wasn’t good, but I wanted to get better and study the craft of acting. I had found my passion.
I moved straight to Atlanta after graduating in 2010 because word on the curb was that the Atlanta market had a good mix of film and theater, and I had yet to decide which I wanted to pursue seriously. A year in, I lucked out by getting signed to Atlanta Models & Talent, and the next year I started an unpaid internship at Actor’s Express Theatre. It felt like boot camp! I was in four of the theater’s five productions that season, regularly taking dance classes at Atlanta Ballet and booking a small commercial here and there. I was excited about my prospects, but like most artists, I still craved more. I kept training, but I hadn’t had my “big break”. I had been auditioning for years but never booked roles in TV or film – and then one day, I did. There was no cheat code or secret magic spell, just training and churning out auditions. Eventually, the right role came along in 2016: Lisa, in the jail scene of the series premiere of Donald Glover’s Atlanta.
At the time, no one had any idea how iconic the show would become or how the jail scene would continue to resonate on social media years later. We always remember our firsts, and that role definitely felt like a dream that I’ll cherish forever. Since then I’ve been fortunate to book many more roles in spaces of theatre, voiceover, commercial, TV, and film. These days, I’m also writing TV pilots, to showcase both my writing voice and my versatility as an actor by creating the roles and stories I want to tell, in addition to auditioning for roles that bring other fantastic artists’ visions to life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not, but if I wanted a smooth road and a sure bet I would have stuck with engineering!
I think sometimes my bigger struggles come from within. I think to be the prolific, insightful artist that I want to be, someone with longevity, I’m always going to be working on my self-confidence, work ethic, and self-awareness, because in my mind, you never “make it”. I’ll always be my own toughest critic and will always want to do more with a script.
Also, I think that defining and redefining “success” is so important. Getting OTHER people to understand an actor’s idea of “success” will always be a struggle, but I’ve learned that it’s not my job to try to change people in this thinking.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve heard folks say that “work-life balance is important” and “work shouldn’t be all consuming”, but I’m a workaholic. My professions have become a large part of my identity, and I love it! I pay bills by acting and conserving native plants, working at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and that’s infinitely fascinating to me. I wish I could tell you what I’m known for, but you’d have to ask the decision-makers in my life – and when you find out, could you please tell me?
In all seriousness, I hope I’m known for the versatility of my characters and interpretations, each with truthful, raw performances, but above all, if I’m remembered me for being thoughtful, kind, and fun, I’ll take that.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
OMG, yes! Just earlier today I listened to The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna. I’m obsessed, and every time I listen, I feel as if I have more tools to implement. It’s so juicy and has been super helpful for me as I build up my confidence to call myself a “writer”. Another good one is The Anatomy of Genres: How Story Forms Explain the Way the World Works by John Truby, which was a truly life-changing read.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jasonjamalligon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JasonJamalLigon
Image Credits
Chase Anderson Chris Jadallah Beau Bonfe Casey Gardner Ford Terry Ford Henderson Maddox Jason Jamal Ligon
