"Bring More to the Table than a Beautiful Voice or a Perfect Dance Step." - Chatting with TJ Bird!

It is my truest joy to introduce you to TJ Bird. Hailing from Decatur, Indiana, TJ recently performed in Arsenic and Old Lace and is now performing in Hollywood, Hearth, & Home at The Myers Dinner Theatre (Directed by Jeremy Littlejohn). Some of their favorite roles include Jesus in Godspell, Roger in Grease, Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls, and Pap/The King in Big River. They have also done four tours with Missoula Children’s Theater.

TJ has a voice that sticks in your memory forever. A positive attitude matched with endless talent; TJ is truly a performer that makes any show better just by their presence alone! I am so happy to have the chance to interview TJ.

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

I started singing at an early age. I have loved dancing and singing along with the radio and movies for as long as I can remember. My mother’s side of the family is musically inclined, and it was only a matter of time before I would start honing my skills. I think I truly started wanting to perform when I was in second grade. I was still nervous being the center of attention then, and my teachers learned I liked singing at church. I ended up winning “Best Soloist” in the school talent show with My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion. 

Are there any teachers or mentors in your life who truly helped you become the amazing performer you are today? 

My grandmother taught me harmonies and how to use my full voice since I was little. She encouraged me to sing in church choir and audition for solos. Before long, I was singing on the praise time and performing in cantatas. I had teachers at school who encouraged me to expand my musical talents. My band and show choir teachers in middle and high school challenged me to gain skills to become a professional musician. My band teacher even took me to my college audition.

In college, my first major was Music Education, but I quickly learned that I wanted to be a performer more than a teacher. I had the pleasure of learning from brilliant musicians. I’ve been fortunate in my career thus far to perform and teach. I have also been blessed to find tours where I get to teach and perform.

However, there’s nothing like connecting with an audience. When I got my first professional job, the man that started my career became my lifelong mentor. He is still guiding me to this day. My family and friends have also been extremely supportive throughout the years. They have encouraged me to be the best person I can possibly be. Being a professional performer has completely changed my life. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to bring something to life from the page.

We are living in some unprecedented times in the world. For all artists (especially actors) it is definitely 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 was invited to come home and stay with my father during quarantine. He’s my number one supporter. My true be all, end-all, ride or die figure in my life. I spent quarantine reaching out to family, friends, and colleagues on the phone. I spent many days on zoom to see the faces of those I love. I also took the time to, of course, update my resume and website.

However, I spent the majority of my time listening to new music, watching new movies, and reading new books. I realized I had been prioritizing everything else ahead of myself. I took the opportunity to truly dive into my activism. I needed to get back to the piano, finish that project that had been left half done, and build better relationships with those I love. 

How does it feel to have the chance to perform during these times? 

I’m thankful every day I get to perform or work on a new project. I cannot take a single moment for granted. I feel for those that are still unemployed and not able to do what we love. It would be a disservice to them to not give it my all. I’m also getting to work with people I love, so that’s obviously a huge bonus!

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

Jaxson in Steeple People, Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls, King/Pap in Big River, Jacob ‘Papa’ Yoder in Plain and Fancy, and Jesus in Godspell are just a few that will always mean a great deal to me. They are all so different from one another but were all roles that I truly lost myself in. These are the characters I would love to sign the dotted line for again. All of them bring back amazing memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. 

What advice would you give any young aspiring artists in these challenging times? 

Performing is your opportunity to step away from the world. You are going to get told ‘no’ many times. However, learn from your mistakes, and keep working on your skills. I don’t only mean “performer” skills. Are you good with kids? Are you good at customer service? Are you a proficient sewer? Are you the person that has an eye for costumes? sets? choreography? Build those skills and offer them. Bring more to the table than a beautiful voice or a perfect dance step. There is so much more to this business than just “performing”.

Learn how you can be more useful to your employer. For goodness sake, focus on rehiring. I want people to think of me as a teddy bear with a great work ethic and a dependable person. I hope people want to work with me again. If people don’t want to cast you, then it will hurt your goals. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to make ends meet by doing what we love.

Hollywood, Hearth & Home will be opening at Myers Dinner Theatre on Friday, November 20th and running until December 20th! For more information please visit - https://myersdt.com