We recently connected with Jalyn Crosby and have shared our conversation below.
Jalyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on was a play called Four Little Girls by Christina Ham, performed at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery, Alabama, the city I was raised in. I was cast in the show my senior year of high school, and it was my first professional show as an actor. The play centers on the four young black girls that were killed in the 16th St., Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama. I played Addie Mae Collins, one of the four girls. This specific show was a collaboration with Montgomery Public Schools, so I had the opportunity to perform with my fellow peers. I felt incredibly grateful to be tasked with telling this important story to young black students who looked just like me. With this show, we were able to meet black history icons such as John Lewis. I even got to meet Addie Mae Collins’ sister Sarah Collins, a survivor of the bombing. This show meant a lot because it explored the dreams and aspirations of those young black girls growing up in the south. It was truly inspiring and also heartbreaking. This experience is one that I will always be grateful for and will never forget.
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?
Hello!
My name is Jalyn Crosby, and I am a New York based actor from Montgomery, Alabama. My love for performing began as a young girl singing in church, which lead to my training in acting, singing, and dancing in performing arts middle and high schools. Following that, I decided to continue to cultivate my craft and love for the arts, receiving my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with a Concentration in Musical Theatre from The University of Alabama.
Outside of performing, I also love to binge a compelling show, watch movies and YouTube, listen to music, and read. I also enjoy being outside, whether that includes walking or simply soaking up the sun. I can be very adventurous, in fact, I have been skydiving before! Any day where music, food, and hanging with family and friends is involved is a wonderful day to me.
The act of storytelling allows me to be seen, furthermore giving me the pleasure of returning that same act. I believe there is so much beauty in that alone.
A few of my professional credits include Ragtime (Ensemble/Sarah u/s), Norwegian Cruise Lines (Vocalist), Memphis (Felecia Farrell), Once on This Island (Ti Moune), Cinderella (Ensemble, Charlotte u/s), and Four Little Girls (Addie Mae Collins).
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to fully express yourself on stage. The stage is such a vulnerable place, and it is rewarding to feel seen and heard by your trusted classmates and also an audience of people you don’t know. That experience can be truly magical.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I am so glad to say that I have entered spaces where I felt seen, and I was comfortable to be myself as a black woman. Those spaces are the ones that truly allow artists to raise discussion, make bold choices, take up space, make mistakes and try again without restraint. My mission is to continue to allow for spaces to do the same for others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jalyncrosby.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalynncrosbyy?igsh=azczYW1wemI1MWhw&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ANW3Ytyrz/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jalyncrosby?si=4q5dIUN_QgC28ClX
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jalynncrosbyy?_r=1&_t=ZT-91corhFwQ6n
Image Credits
Annie Brown
Garrison York
Michael Poyntz