Today we’d like to introduce you to TJ Green.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’m from Newark, New Jersey and moved to Atlanta with my family at the age of 6. I’m the oldest of 4 boys with parents who raised us on the mindset to stay persistent. I grew up in the suburbs of Woodstock, GA for my teenage years, studied business at Georgia State and dropped out after a year with a 1.9 GPA. Within that time frame, I’ve been sued for $300,000, evicted from my apartment and was homeless for about nine months. One night in particular, I was forced to sleep inside a Quiktrip gas station, 4 hours before working a 10-hour shift. My adversity has molded me into the entrepreneur I am today. I began to learn myself and within doing so I started a nonprofit, began my career as a stand- up comedian, found a new place to call my own, and am currently in the process of building my own real estate company.
Please tell us about your art.
As a stand-up comedian, my artistry is to create happiness. Growing up, I was naturally a class clown, which mostly derived from my ability to tell a story. These stories were ones I got inspired to tell after watching famous comedians like Bernie Mac and Eddie Murphy and within telling my own I discovered one of my many gifts in life. Making other people happy and uplifting someone’s spirit is my passion. I perform comedy for those who feel like life has given them the short end of the stick. Although it may feel like that at times, my philosophy is to always search for a reason to smile/laugh through adversity. This helps me take the situations that at one point lead to my depression, and overcome it so that I’m able to laugh it off and grow from the situation. When I perform, I hope people can hear my story and feel more comfortable to go through their own struggles with positivity at heart.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
I define success by the way you view yourself. Life has a funny way of making you look around at other people to validate what your path should be and that’s when people lose focus of who they really are. You can’t begin the journey to success until you know yourself and what it is you want out of life in order to be happy.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I perform stand-up around Kennesaw, Buckhead, Marietta, and Midtown ATL at least twice a week. My most recent shows have been at Club Rio in Marietta and Relapse Theatre near Georgia Tech. You can support by following me on Instagram (@tjgreen_21) and Snapchat (@born2bsomeone) to get the latest updates on shows or skits I may post.
Contact Info:
- Email: terrancegreen86@gmail.com
- Instagram: @tjgreen_21
- Twitter: @tjgreen_21
- Other: @born2bsomeone on Snapchat
Image Credit:
Chris Ivy-Martin
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