Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jeff Deglow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jeff, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
One of the greatest gifts — and most daunting aspects — of being a creative is that our career is a culmination of many projects. We string together a list of credits while collecting small dreams and achievements along the way; whether that is the roles and projects we book, or the companies and people we collaborate with. Sometimes the projects are long and occupy a lot of time, while others are short-lived. Sometimes they are incredibly meaningful and other times (dare I say) a little forgettable. What is interesting in my specific journey is that there are certain projects and titles which have made recurring appearances in my life and career. One of them in particular has become very important and meaningful to me.
One of the theatrical shows that I seem to constantly return to is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Having graced the pages of this story not once or twice, but NINE times — in different productions, for different companies, in different states, and each time challenged with a different track of roles. (For those unfamiliar with the term ‘track’, it refers the series of characters one might perform in a play as actors can play multiple roles in a single show.)
It was almost a decade ago when I was cast in my first production alongside the infamous character of Scrooge. In that production, I was playing the Nephew Fred; the jovial juxtaposition to Scrooge. With a couple very sweet and special scenes, I fully invested into the world of this play… not knowing just how familiar this story would become to me. From that role — which I have reprised often — I began to collect a whole roster of characters. Throughout the world that Dickens created, I have played Jacob Marley, Fezziwig, Topper, both Charity Men, the Undertaker, a Businessman, and even Bob Cratchit!
There came a time, around my fifth or sixth production, that I proclaimed that I was “collecting roles like a bingo card… all that is left is to play Scrooge himself!” Well, little did I know that honor would be offered to me sooner than anticipated.
This past holiday season, I returned to my inaugural role of Fred and was gifted the opportunity to also be the Scrooge alternate. (‘Alternate’ refers to the performer who is first to go on for a specific role if the principal actor is unable to). Due to the demands of the holiday show schedule, I was guaranteed to perform this coveted role weekly. Therefore, I would perform Fred most shows, and step into the role of Scrooge when necessary.
A Christmas Carol is such an important tradition for people around the world, and it is a great honor to be so intimately familiar with its text and characters. I often joked that the roles I have played are my own personal hauntings, the “Ghost of Christmas Carol Past, Present and Future!”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello, my name is Jeff Deglow and I am a Canadian actor living and working in America. Once crossing the boarder, I found myself in NYC for awhile, and have since worked (and toured) all over the country and now call Los Angeles home.
Prior to my arrival in California, my primary focus was Theatre. I love working in all mediums and time periods, but my heart lives in the classics! Having treaded the boards in many Shakespearean productions, I have also found my way on stage speaking the words of Jane Austen, Mark Twain, Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, Bertolt Brecht, etc, and obviously Charles Dickens.
Right now, most of my performing opportunities are on set and in front of the camera with projects ranging from commercials to films. My team keeps me busy with auditions and projects, and I feel incredibly grateful to be as busy as I have been. This past year, my inaugural one in LA, has proven to be very accoladed with multiple bookings, and some awards sprinkled in along the way. This is just an overview, of course more details and credits can be found on my website (jeffdeglow.com) or follow this journey on my Instagram (@jeffdeglow)
Have you ever had to pivot?
In our industry, pivoting is part of the game! You must adapt or get left behind. The industry moves quickly, and you must constantly be reinvesting your energy to be the most authentic version of you in that environment; but more than that, we creatives need to pivot within our own craft and the projects we are working on.
One of the more recent and most-invested-in pivots I have experienced of late was two-fold. First, upon moving to LA, I decided to focus my energies away from the theatrical stage which had been my livelihood for over a decade. To make the most out of my arrival to the film capital of the world, I figured that it would behoove me to invest wholly into my desires to perform on camera. This transition was keenly invested in and was quickly met with upward momentum in the directions of my goals.
That was until our film industry came to a screeching halt with the writers and actors going on strike. The biggest irony for me personally was that SAG/AFTRA officially went on strike on the day of my LA-nniversary. Exactly one year after moving to the city with the gear-shifting decision to focus solely on film work… there was no film work.
This required me ANOTHER pivot. While supporting the efforts of the Union, I was forced to re-examine the world I had just left behind and had to explore the option of returning to the stage. Grateful that I was able to find work, and even more grateful that it led me to the opportunity to play Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. This was a role I didn’t think I was ready for (personally or professionally) and am immensely proud of having taken it on.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Being a creative is unlike any other profession out there; in fact, no two creatives’ journeys are the same… so the very concept of being an artist and creative is a very personal experience. For me, the most rewarding part of our work is when we get to collaborate with other creatives. Theatre and Film is a prime example of that. I love working with others who have the same end-goal in mind and watching the pieces come together. Often times, audiences focuse only on the actors as they progress the action of the story; they don’t realize the actors are simply conduits of many creatives’ vision. Every show needs writers, directors, editors, designers, craftsmen, operators, etc. What I enjoy most is the less aware an audience seems of this, the greater indicator of how masterfully crafted these elements worked. Every department uses their unique craft to bring the story to life!
I have often said that my favorite part of the creative process is when the wardrobe, hair and makeup departments get involved. These elements round out the role the actor has been crafting and helps to merge them seamlessly into the world being shaped by the designers and crew. For me the truest reward is in the collaboration of it all!
Contact Info:
- Website: Jeffdeglow.com
- Instagram: @jeffdeglow
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu6GF91FGRlOc0WnEyHbvyw
Image Credits
Nick Woodward-Shaw Diana Khachatryan Ryella Linder Amanda Beth Lorenzo