We recently connected with Taylor Jarrard and have shared our conversation below.

Taylor, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I started becoming interested in performing arts when I was 15 years old, a sophomore in high school. I was always a particularly shy kid, but I really wanted to try something new, and I had a lot of friends who were in the drama program at school. I was already a fine arts kid, having been active in the marching band the year prior.

I was cast in my first show, and as cliché as it sounds, the rest is history. I took every drama class I could each semester and basically lived and breathed fine arts. I was in the marching band and the drama program, and during my junior year, I also joined our advanced chorus group.

I think I was still quite reserved during my high school years; I would get nervous at auditions and second guess myself right before a show was about to open. When I look back at myself during the early years, I wish I would have known then just how far performing arts would take me. I would have cared far less about which parts I was cast in and if I was working hard enough. I definitely had fun and learned a lot about what it means to be a performing artist, but it would have been so much more rewarding if I had just let myself enjoy the journey and not worry so much about the future.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am the current artistic director and performance academy chair for The Holly Theatre in Dahlonega, GA. Basically, I oversee all of the creative decisions that take place for our mainstage shows (16 and up) and our children’s performing academy (ages 3-18).

I became involved with The Holly Theatre when I was about 19 years old. The Holly is a community theatre, and we welcome all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. I first became involved when my high school theatre director was directing Brigadoon and asked me to come out and audition. Being cast in that show essentially catapulted my future in theatre. Since that show in 2013, I have been involved in 25+ shows, from performing, stage managing, choreographing, and directing.

I oversee the artistic committee, a wonderful group that meets quarterly to discuss what shows should be added to our upcoming seasons. We determine whether or not the shows would be a good fit for our audiences, and then we build a common theme around those shows to form a cohesive season with performances for various types of patrons: family shows, edgier shows, happy shows, and thought provoking shows.

I also oversee all of the summer camp and year round programming for our children’s theatre. We typically have 4-5 camps during the summer that range from age 3, all the way to age 18, so we offer something for littles who are just learning how to express themselves while also offering performing opportunities to those who are getting ready to go off to college to pursue a career in theatre. The best part of my job is that I get to watch those kids blossom from shy beginners to full-blown, knock your socks off, soon to be nominated for a Tony Award performers.

I am most proud of the experiences that we offer our patrons. Some people in our area will never venture off to NYC or even Atlanta to see theatre. This is literally the only exposure they have to live theatre. We always feel supported and loved by our patrons who keep coming back for season tickets, year after year.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

WORD OF MOUTH!! Never underestimate the power of sharing your experiences. Get out there and watch some live theatre, and then tell people your thoughts. Tell them if you loved it, tell them if you hated it, just talk about it. Generating conversation about your craft or a craft you’ve experienced is the best way to support a community that you love.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love being able to give people something to reflect on. When I used to be mainly a performer, I would think to myself before each show: “Just do your best. Touch someone’s life and let them really learn something from you today.” I love meeting our patrons and audiences after a performance. Some of them have seen every show we’ve ever performed, and some of them are visitors from out of town. Having personal, meaningful conversations with them really fuels my desire to keep giving them everything I have.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hollytheater.com/
• Instagram: @hermionedanger1

Image Credits

Elliot Wallis