Theater artist, Kent Jackman points out that his passion for the arts can be traced to genetics, and in his early childhood experience drawing cartoon characters.
"I’ve always been an artist.It started for me, first as a child drawing cartoons. I’m sure it stems from my father’s DNA. He was a draftsman early in his career and I was intrigued by paintings he created of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Woody Woodpecker," he said.
organizational partnerships including The Academy Street Firehouse.
"I had been spending a number of years working in Manhattan, but for the past few years now, I’ve begun to have more teaching and performing opportunities on this side of the Hudson. Since I reside in Jersey City this Newark based program has allowed me to work a bit closer to home," he said.
He said early on in his academic and professional career, he connected with several mentors at the prestigious Howard University and the Arena Stage, that influenced him to pursue the path of an artist, and arts-in-education leader. "I was lucky enough to have been mentored by a couple of key teaching-artists who ultimately contributed to my style and approach as director/teacher. The first was the late playwright-director Joseph Walker (who won a 1974 Tony Award for scripting "The River Niger"). Joe was my acting, and later directing instructor as a student at Howard University. Other important teaching influences were Vera Katz, of Howard University, and Robert Alexander – the artistic director of The Living Stage Improvisational Theater company at Washington D.C.’s Arena Stage," he said.
Jackman adheres to the notion the the arts play a significant role in the community as a channel for personal growth and enrichment.
"The arts have absolute value as alternative teaching tools both within academic institutions, and as a vehicle to empower audiences by reflecting the values that best sustain the security of their families, neighborhoods, and communities. On an individual basis the arts can be of significant value in building self-esteem, personal discipline, communication, and creative sharing skills. he said.
A divorced father of a teen-age daughter, Jackman finds the experience to be both challenging and heart-warming, and one that appears to inform the work he does as a teaching artist.
When asked if there was anything in the news he wanted to comment on that might relate to his life, he recounted that the first call he received announcing Michael Jackson’s death, came from his daughter
"During that phone call I shared how I had essentially grown up with the Jackson Five, and they had in many ways inspired my interest in pursuing the performing arts. The bottom line is, in theater, the concept of dramatic conflict is an essential component. There’s no doubt that Michael’s talent, work ethic, creative versatility, and global appeal will remain unmatched for many years to come — there’s also no doubt, as the inevitable posthumous scandals continue, that his was also a lifetime filled with extensive dramatic conflict, and hidden discomforts – a truly intriguing character study for any aspiring theater artist," he said.
He confesses he’s not invovled in his local community as much as he would like to be as a result of his work schedule.But as a teacher and artist his idea of success boils down to being able to earn a living doing what he loves.
"Bringing joy, creative inspiration, empowerment and thought provoking content to an audience of others – through my classes, residencies, and performances," he said.
"The realities of this business, especially in our current financial environment, have made me a bit of a freelance gypsy in recent years – and I sincerely enjoy traveling as a form of education, entertainment, and alternative income," he said.
Jackman looks ahead to the future and plans to continue working on a one man show, "MaD from New Yawk!" he wrote and produced.
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Watch Kent Jackman in action: