We were lucky to catch up with Jackson Pierce recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jackson thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I went to school for acting at the University of Michigan. Like a good student, I listened to my teachers, hunkered down and did the work. I felt that was paramount to learning any skill.; to have a community. For me, it was higher education.

To speed it up, there was definitely one thing I would’ve encouraged myself to embrace more. When I got to U of M, I thought I was going to be given the proper formula or steps to become successful on stage. However, after four years and a few years out of school, I came to realize that what was better for me as a performer was not to simply copy everything I did in school that got me praise and good marks, but to utilize what I felt was right for me to make my career exactly that: my own.

After I realized where my skills really shined, in classical work, I got my Masters degree in classical acting through the Academy at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington D.C. There, I was able to hone the things I excelled at before, and carve myself out as a unique talent and mind for older works. Predominantly in Shakespeare.

One of the greatest skills I found to be most essential was to be as open minded as possible. I know it sounds cliche, but it has merit. If I had gone through both my university experiences thinking that I was right from the get go, I would not have the ability that I have now. Even if I found a concept or a method challenging, I still gave it the time to turn the cogs and float around in my brain. If it worked for me, great! If it didn’t, I stored it away just in case it ever came up. Nothing in the arts, stage or page, is really off limits, so I think our minds should be as open when learning about them.

Ironically, my greatest obstacle throughout my learning experience, and even to this day, is myself. Sometimes, I can get overconfident in my own skill, and forget to keep an open mind. Or sometimes I falter to my own fear of failure, where I become so desperate to “nail this audition,” or “make sure that chapter is perfect” that it ends up debilitating my own creative capability.

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 a stage and screen actor who specializes in Shakespearean text. I am also a playwright and incoming self-published author (I am finalizing logistics as of right now, and hoping to publish my first novel by the middle of 2026).

I am most proud of my connection and love for classical literature and theatre. I believe that the foundation of great acting, no matter the discipline, stems from an understanding and training in the classics like Shakespeare. I want directors and my fellow actors to know that when I am involved in a production, I bring a strong sense of professionalism, a bevy of ideas, an imaginative energy, and a true love for the job.

With my writing, what I want readers to take away is my dedication to vivid story-telling. I am proud of my worlds I create, and the settings for my characters to play around in. I love writing scenes of conflict, both emotional and physical. What can I say, I love a good battle!

I have a multitude of ideas, and I cannot wait to show them.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My writing career was sparked through my resilience in my acting career. As is well known, acting is rarely a consistent line of work. As soon as one show is over, we’re unemployed looking for the next one, or waiting for the next one to start. Sometimes the wait can be longer than others. During the time early in my career, I was struggling to get cast for many months. To keep the creative cogs moving, I figured I would start writing. Just as a hobby to keep my mind occupied until the next job came around.
When John Hurt (one of my favorite actors) passed away, I was inspired to write a play based on the early life of his character from the Harry Potter franchise. Thus, I wrote my first full play, “Broken Hands.” My girlfriend (now my wife) encouraged me to produce it. One year later, we premiered it at the New York Theatre Festival, to positive reception.
So through the creative resilience of my writing, I was able to keep the creative spark alive for when I, eventually, got cast in my next project.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

This is a lesson that I learned immediately out of undergrad, and I am still having to remind myself of every now and then.

Success does not require you to be a certain age.

Meaning that some actors will find great amounts of success very early, and some will find it very late in their careers. One does not make either better than the other, or worse. Everyone is on their own journey, just like you. Rather, you should cheer on the successes of those you care about, since it has no bearing on your own. Live your journey.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @knightpierce
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jackson.Knight.Pierce/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JacksonKnightPierce-Author
• Other: Author instagram: @jkp_author