"Keep a Close Eye on Your Why As You Progress Through This Business." - Chatting with Jayson Kerr!
I would like you to meet the incomparable Jayson Kerr. I first met Jayson when we both served as Stand-bys in Porgy and Bess at The Metropolitan Opera. Jayson has also performed in the National Tours of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita. He has performed in New York City at The Gallery Players, Snug Harbor, and Staten Island Philharmonic and regionally with companies such as The Ivoryton Playhouse, The Palace Theatre, and Naples Dinner Theatre.
There are few people in this industry that you instantly hit it off with, and the moment Jayson and I spoke, I knew we were going to be friends for life. His talent is off the charts, and his positive energy can fill an entire football stadium. I am very happy to have the chance to interview Jayson!
How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?
I think I was 9 or 10. I was home channel surfing, and I came upon the filmed performance of Ain't Misbehavin'. It was the first time I saw black people singing music that wasn't church music and having a blast! I wanted to do the same thing! I started singing a lot of the songs, not understanding how subversive they were. It must have been a treat to the teachers at the Christian school I attended.
Are there any teachers or mentors in your life who truly helped you become the amazing artist you are today?
This is a tough question! There are so many mentors in my life, I can hardly choose. As I'm thinking about it now, I'm thinking about whose words I think about most often. I would have to say it would be Jonah Emsig who was my clown/comedy teacher at Circle in The Square. He has since passed, but I remember how well he explained clowning, and how he challenged us to find the funny in the things that we would be working on in other classes. It was the first time I ever asked myself why I laugh at things and what makes things funny. I've never stopped asking those questions.
We are living in some unprecedented times in the world but are very fortunate right now to see a light at the end of the tunnel. For all artists (especially performers), it has definitely been a time of uncertainty. What has your everyday routine been like during Quarantine and what are some things you do to keep your spirits up?
I have recently moved on from the bottle of booze a day phase of quarantine, so my habits are always changing. Recently, I have found these YouTube yoga classes to be pretty amazing. Pre-Covid, I was FAR too busy to dive into Yoga and meditation the way I probably should have, so having this time has been a real saving grace. I have also been able to actually reorganize my house and find out what works and what doesn't work. Having the time to organize and reorganize has been a massive blessing. There are projects that would have taken a month that I got done in less than a week! We will never get this time again!! Other than that, reading has been keeping my spirits up, and also the new season of Rupaul's Drag Race and Drag Race UK have been doing their part in keeping me happy too!
You have been in the theatre game for a long time and have met and worked with many wonderful artists. Are there any shows or performances that stick out in your career that will be near and dear to your heart?
Since 1999, I have challenged myself to see one show a week, so this is a very difficult question!! When I think of tour de force performances that I have seen with my own two eyes live, I think of three: Audra Mcdonald in Lady Day, the late great Ms. Cicely Tyson in Trip to Bountiful, and Christine Ebersole in Grey Gardens.
What advice would you give any young aspiring artists during these times?
Keep a close eye on your Why as you progress through this business, the reason why you wanted to enter this business. There will be a lot of people who say a lot of bullshit to you, but the young child who sent you on this journey knew what they were doing.
If you would like to learn more about Jayson, make sure you visit his website at www.jaysonkerr.com