We were lucky to catch up with JT Hanna recently and have shared our conversation below.

JT, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

It would have to be the feature screenplay I’ve written and am currently developing. It’s essentially the story of my childhood, growing up in Mississippi and my desperation to leave home and pursue my dreams, and along with that the sacrifice it takes and the perspective you sometimes get a little too late about the things that mean the most. It’s titled after a Dolly Parton song called “The Grass Is Blue” which is featured in the story. It’s an opportunity to combine my love of film and music and show all my skills. It’s not the story I necessarily expected to being trying to tell right now, but it’s the most important one and the one that only I could tell. And that’s why I believe it’s going to be the thing that changes my life.

JT, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I come from very humble beginnings- small town Mississippi. My love for the arts began around age 11. A few years of begging my parents to let me take piano lessons amidst all of the sports practices. It was an instant love. Music helped me create something that felt bigger than the small world I was trapped in. The movies and the stage provided an even more visceral escape. I began planning my future and grand escape right away. I didn’t get into my dream school, NYU, which was really just an excuse to be in NYC. So, I settled on Belmont in Nashville, where I’d pursue songwriting, to make my parents happy instead of just skipping college all together. I knew I probably wouldn’t last and after 2 years, dropped out. In hindsight, I was grateful for the two years I spent there, before leaving school to move to LA.
I knew at this point I wanted to pursue film and music, so LA was the plan. I booked an airbnb for a month. Got a new name and a day job. I began releasing music. I started auditioning. Writing. Writing. Writing. And 6 years later here I am. It’s been incredibly difficult in ways I didn’t anticipate. I haven’t gotten nearly as far as I would’ve liked too, honestly. But I’m not as hard on myself about that anymore. I know what I’m meant to do. I’ve become more determined and sure of the projects I’m currently working on than ever before. My voice as a musical artist, my perspective as a writer and actor. It’s all very clear to me now. A few summers ago, I produced, wrote, directed and starred in a one act festival of short stories adapted from scripts I was working on. It was by far the hardest project I’ve attempted and pulled off, but oh so satisfying. I also sang and played a song on guitar in that show at one point. I bring this up to say, I don’t limit myself. I no longer allow the pressure to choose one thing or another or to architect the perfect plan or path. I will continue doing all the things I love. When, where and how I want to, as long as it feels right.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I recently had a conversation with a friend and fellow creative, discussing both of our attempts to “do something else.” Hers being law school, mine being real estate as a “side hustle” (lol) – and we both had a similar experience – a physical manifestation of sorrow and unease. We both used the phrase “soul shrink”. It wasn’t until I experienced that feeling as I was spending more and more time in the real estate office each week that when you have an artist’s spirit and mind and soul, it is not a choice. It is not something you can simply set aside. It is a part of your chemical makeup and to deny it is a physical and emotional punishment to yourselves. I felt a sort of anxiety manifest in me. A physical reaction that I couldn’t quite articulate. My body literally telling me “GET OUT OF HERE” and go focus on what drives you. Artists don’t go to college and pick a major that seems interesting and something they’d enjoy working at forever. It’s a calling that you can’t deny. Once it’s in you, if it’s truly in you, there’s no other option.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Seeing how my work can impact people beyond ways I imagine and beyond people I know. I’ve heard stories from strangers about how a song has affected them or helped them through tough situations. Or reading my script with someone and seeing it affect them in their real lives in the exact way I hoped. It feels like I’ve created something that can last beyond me and be bigger than myself. Something can have an impact and hopefully inspire others to tell their stories and create their own projects or lives that excite them. That I might ignite a passion in someone else. That makes me feel more human than anything else.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jthanna_?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jt-hanna-a627a410a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jthanna_?si=V1uLZmmLLNMGN4i-
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/9eVU8G189ttTv6Hs5

Image Credits

Dameta Ayala
Yannick Delva
Emily Durkin
Carlie Johnson