We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jael Pettigrew. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jael below.

Jael, thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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.

This is difficult to explain concisely but it Started in ninth grade. Tri Cities High And honestly before that, As a young child, I’ve always felt this “dramatic “ need. It showed up as intense cathartic feelings and would manifest in tears listening to a song, lengthy gundam wing battles full of entire stories, or knowing verbatim moments of a script.. to the point of accurate recall in real life moments; sometimes for humor and sometimes just for the pleasure of the allusion.

Not sure speeding up the process is helpful or even an ability truly. I’d say don’t try to speed it up; I’d say seek to deepen. I eventually attended and graduated with a BFA from SUNY Purchase Professional Actors Training Program. There was the actor bootcamp. The deepening I spoke of, I learned there.

I feel that a few things I could’ve done “better” to further myself more or absorb more or deepen more( in no particular order) is :

1) eat healthier. Truly this is understated. For my body to simply have better energy and focus.
2) more ego death. The craft of acting comes with a lot of egos. Learning to get out of the way is pertinent in effectively learning SKILLS but also is a HUGE lesson in understanding the function of a character within the story.
3) take the craft seriously ; not yourself (self explanatory) .

The desire to be “the best” or to come off as something “great”, will subtract from your growth.. it also subtracts from your enjoyment. I’d say again- ego death- and have fun! Things done outside of the enjoyment of it don’t usually last or it produces fruit not worth eating :)

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I mentioned SUNY Purchase before but I give much credit to that acting program for not just my level of skill but also what those lessons taught me in my personal life. I highly advise that actors get into training whether that be a 4 year program or classes/ a coach that you trust! And when you do, DIVE. You will have enough oxygen to come back up but trust your process and be honest with yourself. I don’t want to toot my horn too much or be too preachy. But I’ve won some acting awards including but not limited to Best Actor 2018 Atlanta Black theatre Festival. At my core, just as a human people tell me they appreciate my insights on topics, discussions, etc etc. A proud moment for me is when my brother told me recently that he always loved getting my perspective on things because no matter who he talks to or how much he thinks about something, he’s confident I always will give another advantageous vantage point [ that’s also honest ] lol.

With that said, uhh I guess I should say that along with being a working actor, I’m also an acting coach, a bit of a photographer, absolutely a philosopher and seeker of the “truth”. Currently I am working as a Casting Director for Imajen Films and Studios in Atl , GA.
Oh and I bartend, pretty well I’d say.

In everything I do, I hope to bring us all closer to Truth. (Truth meaning- the thing that IS in fact true; that exists whether we agree or not).
Everybody has ideas of truth. Perspectives but I think we can all agree that outside of our own respective lenses, there is SOMEthing that IS true right? Well whatever that IS. I search for it.

That desire places me in the work I’m involved in today.
I see my “brand” expanding to do many beautiful loving things on this earth before I’m gone including inspiring others to do the same.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Now I wish I was more well read on this topic but off the top, I believe society or people, consumers, fans, can help support the artists by truly paying for /investing time In the work the artist creates. And artists are EVERYWHERE. Not just music or movie stars.. think about the robe maker, or rug seamstresses , or the public speaker.

Another way is keeping up to date with laws and news affecting artists. We can’t be the only ones to “fight back”. Sometimes the most simple and effective way to make your point as an art consumer is to withhold your dollar; and to place it where it serves best.

This can look like not using certain services if they are shown to be taking advantage of creatives.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Therapy. Therapy. Therapy.

For the artist it is crucial.
Some very good art has come from pain and upset but there is a place one gets to when they no longer create solely from that place. The younger I was, the less I knew of the importance of having someone to talk to; Someone that is not obligated to you in any way, eliminating biases, so you can speak freely and honestly.
If something smells terrible in the kitchen, it doesn’t go away by not addressing it. And because youd prefer your friends or the world to not be present when the trash is removed- that’s where a therapist comes in.
Find someone you trust professionally to just talk. If they are honest and compassionate they will help you dive and remove things so you can operate at your best. Starting Therapy was a top 3 decision in my life. Highly advise it to everyone.

I felt I wanted to add a few books as well that were great so far in my life.

The Bible
Zen in the art of archery
The four agreements
The alchemist

Lastly an album that I “stole” from an instructor while in my time at SUNY.

Bruce Lipton’s Music for a Shift in Consciousness

Contact Info:

• Website: Imajenfilms.com
• Instagram: Jael.pettigrew
• Facebook: Jael pettigrew
• Linkedin: Imajenfilms
• Youtube: Jael pettigrew
• Other: Photography : @pos.imog @imajencasting

Image Credits
Schyler Tillett Atlanta Black Theatre Festival Imajen Films and Studios