"Nothing and Nobody But Yourself Can Tell You Who You Are." - Chatting with Jonathon Michael Osgood!

Meet Jonathon Michael Osgood. Jonathon recently performed in Oliver! at Myers Dinner Theatre and is a rising senior at Ball State University where he is studying musical theatre. Some of his past credits include Crazy For You (Jimmy), Daybreak (Ben), A Little Night Music, The Gift, and Final Notice. Jonathon has also had the opportunity to open for Jessica Vosk in Indianapolis.

I truly get excited when I see a young talent that has a true feel for this industry on and off the stage and at the same time, can keep a wonderful attitude and energy about them. Jonathon is truly the embodiment of that and then some. I am very happy to have the chance to feature Jonathon!

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?

I was 16 years old when I knew I wanted to be a performer. I was always interested in music and wanted to pursue that further, but after I acted in my first spoken role (The Beast), I got the theatre bug.

Where did you study? Do you have any mentors that truly helped make you the wonderful performer you are today?

I am studying at Ball State University for musical theatre and have loved every day of it. The two professors that come to mind are John Vessels and Jay Schwandt. John Vessels was my voice teacher when my first voice teacher retired in the middle of the pandemic, and he turned my voice and my confidence for the better! After taking lessons from him for a year, I was able to believe that the works that I was doing and the process I was making were good. He continued to challenge me to dive deeper into a character and let my voice be what it is.

After I learned to trust my voice, I felt that I could resonate with characters much deeper. Jay Schwandt has been my accompanist for all 4 years of school and has always encouraged more and more creativity from his students. In early college, he would always be a support system even when it seemed like my small college world was crumbling. Both of them have only wanted success from their students and they have helped me to be the performer I am today.

If you could choose your all-time favorite musical and/or play, what would it be?

My all-time favorite musical is Floyd Collins. I am a big music theory geek, and Adam Guettel’s composition just feeds my soul so well. Even one of my dream roles is in that show, Homer Collins. This is a sad story but it is told in such a beautiful way.

Are there any roles, shows, or performances you have done in your career that stick out and will always be near and dear to you?

The Beast in Beauty and the Beast is the role that is closest to my heart because of how it launched me into the performing world and got me to be best friends with someone who now, 5 years later, is my fiancee.

What advice would you give any aspiring artist?

Nothing and nobody but yourself can tell you who you are. Be individually you, but don’t change yourself to be unique, love who you are, but not the attention it gives you, and share with others the joy you feel while you are creating your art.