Artistic Philisophies
Want to find out more about Jason and what motivates him as an artist? Below is his artistic statement and teaching philosophy, explaining what inspires him as an actor and as a teacher.
Artistic Statement
As artists, being our authentic selves is what helps us share our gifts with the world. Through vulnerability, our truest personalities can shine through movement, song or spoken word. The only way we can be vulnerable is allowing ourselves to be silly or wacky, and that comes from a nurtured environment fostered on positive feedback and open-mindedness. Being in a field where putting ourselves out there is what gets us booked is nerve racking and daunting. However, when put into a space where we are allowed to experiment with no fear of judgment, it can put us on a journey to help find our truth. Authenticity and vulnerability work hand-in-hand to empower, uplift and inspire young artists to let the best version of themselves shine.
Teaching Philosophy
As an artist, sharing art with others is one of the greatest gifts of being a performer. Sharing art with the next generation of actors is one of the great gifts of being a teacher. With working in the industry around talented actors and actresses, using my knowledge that I have gained to help prepare children for their big break is a huge achievement. I work with them to gain the skills needed to succeed in the real world while also fostering their love for the arts. However, being just a good actor, singer and dancer isn’t always everything. In a world where everyone is always competitive and vying to be more successful than the other, I strive to teach others that success is not determined by where you end up, but by what makes you happy. Being successful also does not mean putting others down to build yourself up. Everyone starts off in the same spot in the industry. Some people have the right connections, while others are working from scratch. It is important that my students learn that we can celebrate other people’s success. By leading with kindness and respect through our daily life, we learn to always treat others with the care and regard they deserve.
Being an artist allows us to share the most vulnerable parts of ourselves. Whether we dance or sing, our truest self is always in the spotlight. By fostering an environment for everyone to be themselves, their fullest potential can shine through. In today’s society, now more than ever, hate is spread throughout schools, workplaces, and even out in coffee shops. Living in the outside world full of fear is not how one should live. With this in mind, I strive to make the rehearsal space, theater, or whatever space I work in the most welcoming and accepting place possible. I also strive to always be learning new things. I think it is important as well to not only create this space, but the space should always evolve, because how can art ever evolve into what it is if we stick to the status quo? Theater is always pushing the boundaries of what we can and can’t say, or what’s considered taboo in order to delve into deeper and more meaningful conversation. What comes from these conversations is understanding and love, which in today’s climate is so important. Showing students a space to be free and enjoy what they do and enjoy who they are without judgement is the key to unlocking students' full potential.
