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

Hi Jamey, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Marginalized & undeserved communities are a hot topic in today’s landscape. ACT has been addressing these issues since our founding. In previous year’s we have addressed our work with underprivileged youth, citing the NEA study that highlights the disparaging impact a deficit in ARTS exposure has to the more than 2.5 million children, exposed to 1 or less artistic events a year. This year, we would like to cite the impact on ethnic minorities & trans individuals. The CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey that has been ongoing since 2014 shows that 150,000 American youth ages 13-17 identify as trans.& .8% of all adults do so as well. The rate of suicide, depression & drug use in these populations is 400 times greater according to the UCLA Williams Institute 2020 study. A 2018 NEA study coauthored by AERA & the Dept of ED shows a significant improvement in the cognitive improvement & socialization of those exposed to the ARTS. The Census shows 24% of the populations are communities of color, but they only represent .04% representation in the arts. ACT is a cog in that wheel, producing, on average, 70 plus shows a year in every genre, era & style of the medium for minority populations/economically undeserved persons. We head work/service programs & work closely with courts to provide outreach/training for probationers. We provide resume opportunities for those who might have to struggle for years to show their talent, the community gets to see their brilliance now. ACT provides a voice for the marginalized & often tackles issues other theaters run from; racism, nationalism, LGBTQIA, women’s issues, Political Satire, nudity, religion, child sexual assault, rape & much more. We have, currently 7 trans adults & 2 trans kids in our program (see presentation); Free summer arts camp set to serve 400 unique youth (focused on all artistic disciplines), 6 production camps for summer that allow for production opportunities, free workshops & online seminars

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?

Jamey Jamison is loving life at ACT and is entering his 20th year as the organization’s Executive Director. He still teaches at public and private schools throughout DFW in the AM, while running ACT in the PM. Jamey has been cajoled back on stage for a few plays this past year like “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Murder By Death” and “The Birdcage.” But his heart is still in the tech booth. Jamey has had the fortunate privilege of becoming an uncle for a second time this year and wants everyone to know that there will be another generation of actors coming up soon. He continues his journey of self-discovery by continuing to challenge himself and his staff with ever more diverse programming and plays. In the coming years you will see at ACT an outdoor amphitheater, more social events for families and a Fall Carnival we hope to make a yearly event. First and foremost, Jamey wants to hear from you, the public, about what you want ACT to be, because after all isn’t that what community theatre is all about? Taking this journey together, as a community.

For Jamey personally, this journey has taught and given him many things; strength, resolve, respect, patience, but above all humility. It is with a humble and grateful heart that he enters into year 5 of leading this theatre group. This has not been an easy journey, but few worthwhile things are ever easy. The personal and public success of this theatre has been built on the backs of its members and Jamey would like to take this opportunity to tell everyone that he has not, cannot and would not be on this adventure alone. There has been an active and viscously supportive board, a legion of parents and children, and a battalion of public support that have gotten him and ACT to this point and he is so very moved and in awe every day of that fact. Thank you – thank you all so much.

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

This was all started by the kids and their parents. We always had/have a few who were marginalized or who just didn’t fir in. Boys with painted nails, girls that were “too loud,” kids that didn’t want to be around others. The “weird kids” who didn’t have a place. I had taught at other schools and private studios and it was always the same story. the rich kids and the popular kids got the leads and the attention and the kid who wore three layers of sweaters and bit their nails was a tree. After a few years of the hypocrisy of “exclusionary” schools. We broke off and started our own. We gave everyone a chance … thus the motto a “place to ACT for life.” We have kids who have graduated the program and are now back teaching at it, running it, owning it. We have 2nd and in some cases third generation students bringing us their students. We have people with physical and mental disabilities. We have old, young, trans, gay, black, yellow, orange and blue and everything in between,. The most surprising thing is the talent. I thought it would be hard to unlock the treasures inside the emo kids heads, but all it really took was a chance. Give them a microphone and a cool costume and a little direction and off they go. They don’t just act – they perform. They all perform. “Jack” was a shy 12 year old who I couldn’t get to even talk the first year and now he is in Rocky Horror. “Mary” had a massive stroke and still struggles, but when she sings … good lord its a thing to behold. I have a thousand of those stories all more tear inducing than the last. We don’t do this for the money, but I could die tomorrow and say we built something here. We may not ever get recognized for it .. you know the fame and fortune thing. But I don’t think that part really matters.

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

Creative thinking is defined as; “the thinking that enables one to apply their imagination to generating ideas, questions and hypotheses, experimenting with alternatives and to evaluating their own and their peers’ ideas, final products & processes.” A UCLA Research Department of Behavioral Science & Health with UK’s National Health Service & studied 6,710 adults, aged 50 or older, for a span of 12 yrs. Results show participants who engaged with art activities on a regular basis had a 31% lower mortality risk, a 36% decrease in instances of depression, an increased sense of empathy, & were ½ as likely to cite a sense of foreboding. This shows that an anchor in the arts is not only fun, but life changing! ACT has a committee of diverse persons who meet bi-monthly to discuss current & future shows ideas to keep our approaches fresh. They serve as an advisory panel, sparking & nurturing thought in our directors & actors. ACT on average has yearly 30 plus different directors of all ages & walks of life who submit the INNOVATIVE work THEY want to see produced, guaranteeing newness. From showing up for flash-mobs to surprising customers at local stores in costume, we look for new ways to draw a crowd or attract attention. ACT ensures that in our programming there are always a combination of socially conscious & morally challenging works juxtapositioned against traditional, original & modern perspective. Now that live theatre is back, there is a greater sense of hope. We also conduct a free summer arts program for local kids at no cost to their parents, While we are still offering online classes, the kids are back in person for class & we couldn’t be happier. ACT, again, had zero infections in summer camps. Our studio art rotates every few months to allow local artists a public venue to display works, for free. ACT has the most diverse programming of any theatre in DFW of the Southwest. Nothing is off-limits or taboo.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artcentretheatre.com
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