Meet Ishmael Harris McKinstry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ishmael Harris McKinstry.

Ishmael Harris McKinstry is a country boy from Buena Vista, Georgia. From singing and creating his own characters (while performing chores) at the early age of four, becoming a church musician at age 14, winning literary competitions during grade school, joining the One Act Play team in high school, to becoming the first black/male drum major at Marion County High, Ishmael has always had an undeniable passion for the arts.

Ishmael’s love for acting and music pushed him to study Theatre and Vocal Performance at Albany State University. During his matriculation, Ishmael was a member of the ASU Gospel Choir (director), ASU Concert Chorale (featured soloist), ASU Theatre Ensemble (president), and a member of Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society.

Immediately after graduation, Ishmael began working professionally in the television, film, and theatre industries. Theatre and performance credits include Sister Act (Eddie Southern); Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Adrian); Dreamgirls (Curtis Taylor, Jr.); Grease (Johnny Casino); Black Nativity (Joseph); Next to Normal (Gabe); The Colored Museum (Walter-Lee- Beau-Willie Jr.) and the featured soloist in the 2016 – 2019 Miss Georgia Pageant. Television and film credits include Trajan Clayton’s adaptation of Zora Neale Hurston’s Sweat (2019), Bo Barlett’s Things Don’t Stay Fixed (2018), Blowout (2014), and Vampire Diaries; just to name a few.

In the midst of Ishmael’s professional journey, he has always deemed it necessary to give back to the community by stimulating, empowering, and inspiring young minds through acting and voice performance at Company C, Academy of Dance, the Liberty Theatre, Lee County Middle School West, Westside High School, and many local churches in the community and abroad. Ishmael along with his best friend, Christopher De’Angelo, founded BB Artistic Productions to give aspiring artists a chance to grow in their gifts, gain knowledge of the professional world, and present quality work.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Has the journey been relatively smooth? As I answer this question, I smile with a slight giggle. If I could be transparent… no, my journey has not, in any way, been smooth. There have been a plethora of traumatic junctures that I have grown through. Starting off, I entered into the industry depressed due to an extremely toxic and unhealthy relationship that I carried over from college. This particular relationship caused me to doubt everything I was doing and eventually I quit singing, playing, and acting for about a year and a half.

What brought me out of that dark place was my praying and preaching mother, Angelia Harris. My moms reminded me of my worth and that giving up would never be an option for any of her children. “Giving up is not an option” is literally my personal pep talk in every situation life throws at me; even when I was shot, twice, in a gas station on October 14, 2018.

It has almost been a year since that day and I still can’t believe that 7 days after my birthday, I was a victim of gun violence. But I am beyond grateful that I am still here and allotted the grace to tell my story through the arts.

I won’t dwell on this too long because my book is coming soon.

What do you do? What do you specialize in?
I am a musician, singer, actor, music director, director, host, songwriter, educator, self-proclaimed mogul and so much more. I sing and play for weddings, church events, galas, birthday parties, wedding anniversaries, pageants, club events, etcetera; if you want quality entertainment, I am your guy! I cast, produce, and direct plays and musicals. I teach music theory, ear training, and vocal technique. I even make flyers for events.

What sets me apart from other artist is that I strongly believe in being artistically diverse and in tune. Whether it’s singing jazz or classically with my churchy roots, acting on stage or behind a lens, to teaching acting or piano, its my desire to reach multitudes of differing cultures.

I’m 100% honest about who I am which [I believe] people relate to in my acting, singing, and even teaching. My friends often tell me that I tell too much at times.

Being authentic about Ishmael Harris McKinstry and genuine about the ugly and the beauty of my journey is what is essential to my success. Using bricks thrown at me to strategically and skillfully build a stairway [advancing over and up] is also critical to my success. I truly am I hard worker. I am one of the hardest workers I personally know. I’m passionate, determined, and refuse to give up.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I wanna shoutout my mother, Angelia Harris McKinstry. She has literally only missed one of my performances out of my 24 years of performing. My little brother, Isaac Rafael McKinstry is a major encourager and support system. He’s also very honest when I have trash performances. My nephew, Khalifa Isaiah McKinstry, who always shouts, “that’s my uncle,” at performances. My grandmother, the Late Annie Pearl Harris, was literally my biggest cheerleader. My Aunties and cousins that stay traveling for me!

All of friends and family advocate for me and without their prayers, rebukes, constructive criticism, cheers, money, and encouragement, I surely wouldn’t be the man I am today, let alone the performer.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ishmaelharrismckinstry.com
• Phone: 7065708832
• Email: ishmaelharrismckinstry@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ishmaelharrismckinstry
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ishmaelharrismckinstry
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/ishharrismckin

Image Credit:
Danny Piett, Jennifer Holliday, and Absolutely Miranda

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.