We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joel King a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Joel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
Life has had its challenges with my creative journey because of the demands on me as well. I have extended my talents in multiple places, from performing arts to teaching to visual arts. Because I had such a grip on the standard of execution that was wanted, I was always finding myself with work and appreciated. That, at times, worked to my detriment because people either assumed my schedule or my price tag to get me. That was taxing on my mind after a while. It got worse when I tried to apply for full-time positions and was rejected. It was like people smelled the artist’s scent on me and were not having it. It was assumed that no matter my qualifications and my willingness to perform the job, my ability to stay would be compromised by the next project. I didn’t guess this conclusion. I was given this response either after a job interview or during it. That was a hard reality to accept when you have bills to pay.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Joel P. E. King, affectionately known as “JPEK”. I am a Black American stage, film, and television artist. I am the 7th of eleven biological siblings with several extended siblings. I grew up in Washington Park, IL, and was raised by my parents, Marvin and Rosalind King. My roots are very traditional, with church, home, and school being the anchor of what guided my life, career, and future. Graduating from SIU Edwardsville, I attained a B.A. in Studio Arts with a minor in music and theater. I am an entrepreneur, performer, writer, director, musician, and producer who established and owned his theatre company, JPEK CreativeWorks Theatre, out of St. Louis, MO, in 2006. This was three years after graduating from college and attempting my first production, A Mother’s Cry, at my family’s church. The impact from those who watched it let me know there was more to my craft than a post-college student trying to make money. It was a bigger journey that awaited, and I was courageous and even crazy enough to go after it. I say this because while I was producing my first show, I was also experiencing an eviction. It was devastating. Watching my television being loaded in someone else’s car was a picture I’d never get out of my brain. The biggest disappointment was my computer being taken. It held my thoughts and my future work. That was an eye-opener in being more responsible with how I was handling my adult life. Needless to say, I recovered from that dreadful experience and began to do more work to establish not only my company but my personal endeavors.
As things continued to grow in St. Louis, I received the itch to do more. I traveled to Los Angeles. After Los Angeles, I continued to make pursuits that lead me from Los Angeles to St. Louis to Chicago, back to St. Louis, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Sarasota and back to end in Atlanta. It has been an ongoing journey to say the least, but I feel very fortunate to have had the experience.
I am working as an English Language Arts Teacher who is soon transitioning to a Theatre Teacher/ Artistic Director for a high school in Atlanta. I am also establishing my new Atlanta division of JPEK CreativeWorks Theatre which is Newworks Theatre. I’m in partnership with Young Voices United to help grow Newworks Theatre.
With St. Louis theatre company, I have hired and assisted in developing some of St. Louis’s finest talents. Monumental events have been given a “fresh” voice through his courageous, socially driven stage plays. He has received three city proclamations, two cover stories (Riverfront Times and Zoom Magazine), and massive support for his stage works: Real Life, Issues of Love, and Stand Your Ground. King is said to be Broadway-bound with his works being compared to the late August Wilson.
I am a talent with Talent Plus Agency in St. Louis and TDH Talent Unlimited in Atlanta. I am part of the SAG/AFTRA and AEA. Theater credits that precede are Amen Corner, Knock Me a Kiss, The Colored Museum, Immigrant Project, Dutchman, Spunk, and Thru the Eyes, to name a few. Musical credits are: Complacency of Silence (Kevin Kline Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical), The Color Purple, The Sam Cooke Story, Big River, Damn Yankees, Bubblin Brown Sugar, Ain’t Misbehavin as well as world premiering shows: Ruth and Joshua’s Boots. He toured with the gospel show A House Divided, where he performed before world-acclaimed Tyler Perry, who complimented him on a "job well done" Joel King has attained principal roles in independent films such as Pieces of a Dream, Ishmeal Meet the Grave of Haagar, Ruzzian Roulette, Stratosphere, Before I Do, Stand Your Ground. Other “JPEK” new works include: A Mother’s Cry, Meeting at the Elder’s Circle, Of Hers and His, A Deeper Shade of Blues, Thru the Eyes and etc.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
When I think of organizations such as Kranzberg Arts Foundation, Black Repertory Theatre, Unity Theatre, and etc, I see a very supportive environment that is supporting the movement of the arts. They are the ecosystem for creativity that has shed light on how to get things done, and Kranzberg has been heavy in facilitating how, where, when, and overall support. I was invited into the Kranzberg Arts Foundation resident artist program in 2017. It has been life-changing to experience their level of support and dedication in building the up-and-coming artists.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Several things are driving my journey. The most paramount of them all is my connection to my father’s journey. He passed away, never receiving his total flowers, in my opinion. It is my daily journey to ensure that my wins only increase the wins that he was able to achieve. I am a part of his legacy, working aggressively to build out my own. He deserves to hear his name heard more, so when I accept my awards, it will forever be in his honor.
Contact Info:
- Website: jpek.org
- Instagram: joelpatrick.jpek
- Facebook: Joel PE King
Image Credits
Amy Schromn and Sorcha Augustine