Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andromeda Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Andromeda, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

 

I learned to perform stand-up and act by LIVING, but I’m currently being mentored by the amazing Comedian D’Lai, so I can perfect my stand-up. Life is your greatest teacher for both of these professions. Everything you have ever experienced can be used to fuel you both on stage and on set. Both professions require and stem from some place of emotion. It doesn’t matter if the emotions are good, bad or indifferent, they can all be used. As far as speeding up my learning, I don’t think that’s something you can do, nor can you afford to do it. You have to go through the process of life and either suffer or thrive through it. Either you want to survive your experiences or you want to be a victim of life.

The skill most essential to both stand up and acting is the ability to adapt. You have to be prepared for anything. In stand up, be prepared for hecklers or for an audience that is of a different age, race or other demographic. The way comedy is received is different based on location. Not just the venue, but the region of the country/world as well. You can’t perform the same way for every audience. Knowing how to recognize that is key.

In acting, knowing how to adapt to a shift in the scene. It could be a scene partner dropping a line or not conveying the type of or enough of the emotion you need. You have to be able to make it happen no matter what is going on around you. The production depends on you to show up and do your job, no matter what is happening within or around you.

So far, I wouldn’t say I’ve had any major obstacles, other than I had a partner that didn’t believe in my dreams and goals at one point. Every time I tried to do more in my craft, they made it difficult and complained. Since moving on, I have made huge strides in all areas of my life. I allowed my fear of losing someone and their lack of faith in me almost cause me to lose sight of my own goals and dreams. No other human is worth losing sight of my own ambitions. The only obstacle I should have is ME and I’m not even letting her stop me.

Andromeda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into the entertainment industry as a kid. I started out with ballet at the age of 4 and progressed into jazz, tap and modern dance. In middle school, I attended Davidson Fine Arts and discovered my love for the stage and acting. I loved taking my mind and body to another place and telling a story. It made for an easy transition to the stage for stand up. My style of stand up includes story telling. I get to stand in a room full of strangers and tell them my story, my way, and witness people laugh at the same things I find to be hilarious .I got into stand up back in 2019. My good friend and now Angel above, Cortosha Scott, had been telling me for years that I should try to perform stand up. I’ve always been told I’m funny, but the stage was and still is a different ball game. Then one day my client, Jasmine Gammon, was in my chair and looked at me and said, “I think you should try stand up.” That confirmed it. I went home and wrote a set and 3 weeks later I performed it. I guess I did pretty good, because from that, I got my first paid gig a few weeks later. I’ve been doing it ever since and haven’t looked back.

If I had to say something I am most proud of, it’s my fearlessness. I literally just get on stage/set and go for it. I don’t get in my head or try to use rationale about why I should or shouldn’t, I just go for it. The worst that can happen is I don’t do well, but I won’t know unless I do it. Not to be cliche, but Nike told us and taught us best……Just do it! If you come to see me perform, know that I’m going to give it my all.

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

The best way you can support an artist is to SHARE THEIR WORK/PRODUCT. It sounds simple, because it is. If you can’t monetarily support, your shares mean everything. Your shares open us up to people who may have never heard of us. Even if it only gains one follower or merchandise purchase, it’s one more than we had before you shared. People always want to know why someone’s brand or following isn’t bigger…..well, it’s because you didn’t share us with your friends. Be selfless, not selfish. Don’t keep us to yourselves. We need every eye we can get on us. Eyes equal revenue, in this day and age. It’s all a numbers game.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a performing artist is the feedback. I love when someone tells me they enjoyed my work. I love getting inbox messages after a show or comments on my posts. I love knowing that someone may have had a rough day, but something I said or did allowed them to forget, even if just for a few moments. I may not be an influencer by numbers or level of fame, but I am one based on my ability to influence how someone feels based on my words. To me, that’s dope. That’s everything. Your smiles and laughter are my trophies and I hope to collect a lot more.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gumbheaux.com
• Instagram: @1actdrama
• Facebook: Andromeda “Drama” Jones
• Twitter: @1actdrama
• Youtube: Gumbheaux Podcast

Image Credits
Some Sweet Photography