We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kane Jabbar a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kane thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

When it comes to what my parents did right, it’s hard to narrow it down to one specific moment in my life. As I am an only child of divorced parents, I feel as though I’ve simultaneously buckled under facing a lot of tough challenges, and have had the opportunity to be a calming presence in both parents’ lives, just as they have been for me. The story of how my parents met has fascinated me for most of my life. In 1994, my dad saw my mom at The Lion’s Den in New York City and knew he wanted to be with her. My mother was inspired to give him a chance thanks to a good friend of hers at the time. The love they shared continued to grow over the years, and from that love, I was born. My parents gave me an amazing babyhood in Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village. In the years that followed, the family moved to Chicago where I got to have the privilege of living in stellar apartments with access to schools that built strong character for me. At my elementary school, I developed a strong affection for performing and starring in the annual spring musicals my school would have. With every audition I went out for, I was highly supported by both parents especially when I got cast in leading roles. In the years since those school performances, both parents in equal measure have been championing my career goals when it comes to performing, all while continuing to teach me what it means to truly show an interest in a loved one’s life. No matter how old I get or how far away we might live, I will always be grateful that I have family who loves me very much and will always be there for me.

Kane, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a budding actor who has loved being a part of productions since childhood. My first exposure to the arts happened when I was around 10 years old when I got the chance to be a part of a youth performance showcase at an extracurricular theatre program where I got to perform the famous “Mother and Son Phone Call” sketch by Mike Nichols and Elaine May. The way that audience responded to the recreation of that sketch filled me with a new level of joy. One I hadn’t really felt before, but even at such a young age, I knew I enjoyed it very much. The kind of services I want to provide are focused on utilizing my love for performing and applying them to what any possible client or brand or new opportunity would want to see. My brand is focused on collaboration and working towards solving a problem rather than living in it, and I want any potential clients to know that I will pride myself on making their lives easier through taking initiative and collaboration.

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

When I graduated from Columbia College Chicago, I was bombarded with several versions of the same question from many different people, “What are you going to do with your life now?”. As anxiety inducing as I thought that question was at the time, I took comfort in having at least one good answer: I wanted to get into Second City’s Conservatory program. Growing up in Chicago, The Second City was about three blocks away from my dad’s place; I even got to take classes there as a child. However, when I was in high school, I ended up taking a teen improv class in which I, and some of my friends and colleagues in the class, noticed there was no official teacher. In response, multiple guest teachers were brought in every Saturday for class on a regular basis until our final performance. I found my performance to be disheartening and disappointing and I was emotionally put off improv for years. It wasn’t until I got a little older that my appreciation for improv came back, and by the time I enrolled in Improv for Actors I, I found my first group I really connected with and couldn’t wait to be in more shows with as an adult… at least, it seemed like it was going to be that way. My first Conservatory audition didn’t go as well as I thought it did. On top of that, just about everyone from my cohort got accepted in yet they felt sorry for me being the only one who didn’t make it. At the suggestion of Second City, I took a four-week intensive class in the hopes it would help me gain a better understanding of improv, and help me be more prepared for my second audition. Another audition led to another rejection, though I made up for it by taking a different sort of class at another popular improvisational theater/training center, iO, and I was accepted into the Musical Improv Conservatory at SC. Eventually, I regained the confidence to audition for the regular conservatory again, this time with the best understanding of improv and “yes, and…” I could have. It was here that I was finally accepted and able to continue my studies of improv at such an inspiring location.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think some but not all non-creatives will struggle with understanding the pain of being rejected as a creative when it comes to auditioning. To put it simply, you saw an audition call for a show that sounds like a great time and/or there’s a part you really want to play. You audition, you feel like you did a great job and you will get an offer. And then you get the email saying you didn’t get it. This isn’t to say non-creatives don’t understand rejection itself at all. Rejection is tough, but at the same time, it’s an important part of the work. I feel as though we’ve all had something we really wanted to happen for us (a job opportunity, a relationship, any work-related endeavor) and, ultimately, didn’t get it. From my conversations I’ve had with non-creatives who happen to be friends of mine, they all made me aware that they could never be brave enough to do what I would want to do, but I will always be thankful for the support I have received from them after any rejection I may face.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanerjabbar/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneofLP
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dashathan01