We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carolyn Jordan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Carolyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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.

From an early age, I was surrounded by talented performers, directors, and designers at every turn. I tried my best to be a sponge – watching, listening, and learning everything that I could during rehearsals and performances. I saw as many productions as I could from the audience too…it was all a chance to learn and grow (plus, it was fun!). I took voice lessons, dance, and gymnastics. I attended theatre camp and auditioned for as many shows as I could fit into my schedule from elementary school all the way through college.

Touring with Missoula Children’s Theatre was the ultimate training in thinking quickly, making adjustments, and working with a wide range of people of all ages. I take those lessons into my work every day. As an arts educator, I know that I learn best from DOING the thing, so I am almost constantly involved in a production (or two). That might mean serving as a director, choreographer, technical director, music director, or stage manager. Any opportunity to be involved in a show means that I can learn and grow in my field. I also spend a good chunk of my free time as an audience member – I love watching a show and celebrating all the hard work and talent that goes into a production. Plus, I want to stay up to date on the industry!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a total theatre nerd – it is my job, my hobby, my career, and my passion! I promise I have other interests too, but I talk about this one the most.

I was immersed in theatre from the beginning – some of my earliest memories as a toddler are from Heights Youth Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio. My sister was in shows, my mom worked on costumes, my dad helped with sets, and my Nana sold concessions. It was the theatre where my mom and her sister did shows as kids too. I was thrilled when I entered kindergarten and was finally old enough to audition! My first professional show came about in 2nd grade when I was cast as Tiny Tim in Great Lakes Theatre Festival’s annual production of A Christmas Carol at Playhouse Square. I went on to do ACC four more times and started getting cast at other regional companies through high school. Next, I earned my BFA in Theatre – Acting from West Virginia University.

During my senior year of college, I was offered a 12-month contract as a Tour Actor/Director for Missoula Children’s Theatre. In my time with MCT, I travelled, taught, and performed all over the country in a new city each week. By the time I left that job 2.5 years later, had taught theatre in 31 states.

After touring, I moved to Denver, Colorado and spent a couple years as a freelance director and choreographer before taking on my current full-time position in 2018: Middle School Theatre Teacher at Parker Performing Arts, a DCSD Charter School. I hold a teaching license in K-12 Drama and get to spend my days teaching Shakespeare and Musical Theatre classes! I have taught Music Together, an early childhood music and movement program, since 2017. To get my performance fix, I sing with The Original Dickens Carolers each winter. I direct and choreograph productions at PPA as well as at non-profit youth theatre programs in the area, including Spot On Theatre.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In November of my senior year of high school, my dad was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, an aggressive disease with very few treatment options, especially at that time. His illness progressed quickly and by the time spring rolled around, he was incredibly ill. I spent tech weekend of the spring musical at his Hospice bedside with my sister and other family. On March 27, just a few hours before I was to open as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, my dad passed away. I stayed with family for a short while, said my goodbyes, and went to opening night. I don’t know exactly how to explain it, but I knew I needed to do the show. Theatre had always been my happy place and my safe space. Performing the show that weekend allowed me to escape into another world for just a bit before returning to the pain of my reality. It gave me room to heal. It also gave me a little time to just be a kid performing in her school play – I needed that.

The experience has stuck with me. It reminds me that I can do hard things. It reminds me that theatre can be a place for kids when there is no where else to go. It reminds me that art can bring joy even in the worst of times.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

In an art form that is completely personal, you have to remember that it isn’t personal at all. When you perform onstage, you are putting yourself out there! You have to be honest and vulnerable. You have to pour yourself into it and give it your all. But then…you have to step away from it. You can’t take critiques or reviews personally. You can’t let the rejections stop you from auditioning. You can’t let the lead roles go to your head. It is all part of the process!

Contact Info:

• Other: Work with me or check out my current projects:

  Spot On Theatre
  Parker Performing Arts School
  Twinkle Together, LLC
  The Original Dickens Carolers