Jonathan has arrived in the Big Apple this week and is participating in iTheatrics choreo DVD rehearsals and tapings. He’s currently working on Nice Work if You Can Get It and has been cast as, of all things, “Speakeasy Manager”. We sent out an e-interview to Jonathan, and here it is!!
When did you get bit by the theater bug? I first got the theatre bug when I went to see the musical Big River with my mom at The Cumming Playhouse. I was around 8 or 9 years old. At intermission I turned to my mom and said, “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life!”
What training have you had? I’ve had voice training, all types of dancing, acting, and voice therapy.
What are some of your most memorable theater moments and why? One of my most memorable theatre moments is when I saw my name on the screen when I was watching the Schuler nominations. I saw my name under the nomination Best Performance by a Leading Actor! This is memorable to me because I worked so hard and put all of myself into that role and it just paid off in the end.
Another moment is when I got a standing ovation for my role as Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This is memorable to me because this just told me that this is what I was born to do, perform.
The other time is when I kept getting called back for the iTheatrics Choreography DVD and I knew that I have to keep working hard at every callback. This just stuck with me because I got through the first round of the Choreography DVD auditions in 2012, but didn’t make it all the way through. This year, I did, and I’m thrilled!
Finally, the one that I will never forget is when Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in the Disney animated film “The Little Mermaid”, came up to me after the Schulers and said, “Your voice gave me chills right when you opened your mouth to sing. Your voice is truly a gift from God.” This just made me cry a little bit because this is coming from a well known and famous actress and singer.
What should we expect to see from you in the future? I will be attending Orbits Academy for 2018-2019 school year and go far and beyond and be on Broadway, living in New York, living my best life.
Anything else you’d like us to know? I just couldn’t do any of this without the support of my family especially my biggest fan and my number one supporter, my mother. I couldn’t go as far as this if I didn’t have my mom right next to me cheering me on. I also couldn’t have the voice that makes me who I am today without the training of Haden Rider, I also have to thank Carly Berg, because I couldn’t dance like I can now if it wasn’t for her always believing in me and pushing me further and further to grow as a dancer. Everyone should also follow me on Instagram to follow me around on my journey through my career that is just taking off. @jonjon7745
We are expecting to see big things from Jonathan in the future and look forward to covering his choreo DVD work starting next week.
–-Jody Key — Managing Editor
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