Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaron Crawford.
Hi Jaron, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I always had a hard time staying out of trouble in school, whether it was joking, fighting, smoking, shooting laser pointers at the bus driver… the list goes on. The more I was rejected from the school system, the more I fell in love with art. Doing plays and musicals were motivation for me to stay in school, and I loved performing music for assemblies and talent shows. I started working in community theaters at the age of nine, and that was my happy place.
Eventually, in my sophomore year of high school, I joined an alternative school program called the Freedom Farmers. I harnessed my skills in organic farming, studied social justice, horticulture and biology, and eventually my whole life started making more sense. I am a kinesthetic learner and a natural leader when enabled to work in a dynamic environment. For a moment I thought I was going to leave the country to pursue a simple life in horticulture, but my long-time acting teacher, Kathy Dorgan, encouraged me otherwise.
My junior year of high school, I won the August Wilson Monologue competition in Seattle and visited New York for the first time in my life. They say you have to see it to believe it, and I believe this was the catalyst for solidifying my future as a performer.
I went on to study at one of the nation’s top conservatory programs, Carnegie Mellon University, earning a BFA in Theater. Throughout my time there, I also began writing more music, dancing, vocal training and devising theater. I traveled to Florence, Italy to perform among other top conservatories and even developed a new class at CMU called “Culture Class”.
Music has always been a huge part of my life, but now it is more important than ever. After dropping a mixtape in college called “Kuntalini”, I caught the attention of music conductor, teacher and artistic director, Thomas Douglas. He has worked with the likes of Billy Porter, Denee Benton, Megan Hilty and Leslie Odom Jr. We collaborated together on an original piece for the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh called “Frankenstein, Re-Imagined”. I was in charge of compiling music, co-composing, and writing lyrics for a 5 piece band and 65 person choir.
Since graduating, I have dropped 12 singles and 1 full-length album. I also composed music for Ty Greenwood’s “Proclamation”, produced by Flugelman Productions in Australia. I audition for Film, TV and Theater, but music is just as much of a passion for me. I have a new album called “Garage Demos” coming out this winter, and I am already set to release another album called “Backyard Demos”, in the new year.
I currently teach Gardening and Cooking at the Westland School in Bel-Air. They are a great community of progressive educators, and they have allowed me to teach while pursuing my career in the arts, so I thank them for that. I also run an independent gardening company called Freedom Farms 360.
Freedom Farms 360 is a client-based service. Imagine having your friendly neighborhood farmer visit your garden and teach you the tricks of the trade. That’s essentially what it is! If you are looking to develop your green thumb, let’s chat. I especially love working with families who are passionate about taking initiative in their gardens to grow a bountiful harvest that feeds the mind, body and soul!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like I said, I never had a stable life when it came to school. All the time I spent being suspended or in detention made me feel like I wasn’t achieving high enough. At home, my parents were supportive of my art and that helped keep me out of trouble. If it weren’t for them, I would never be where I am.
I’ve had people tell me to be a master of one, and I respectfully disagree. When I have diverged from theater for music or teaching, many people, my family included, think I am throwing away years of work.
To those people I say, “a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”
Regardless of how the world perceives me, I invest all of my energy into every project I work on. I plan on simultaneously pursuing a career as a musician, actor, and educator, and no one can tell me otherwise. After all the challenges I’ve faced in life, nothing will stop me from doing what I love. Prince made a movie and an album simultaneously. That is in alignment for me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a musician, I’m known for being able to write for any genre whether it be Rap, RnB, Rock or Indie Rock. As an actor, I’m known for transformational characters, comedy and physically challenging roles. The era of “musician-actors” is well among us, so I would also fall under that as well.
Currently, I am performing in a new rock musical called Lizard Boy, at the Know Theatre in Cincinnati. Tickets to the virtual showing are available on the Know website. There are 4 actors in the cast, and we also play all the music. Think “Once” meets… Spider Man?
I’m theatrically managed by Jared Schwartz at Industry Ent. and Candace Stewart & Anthony Boyer at DDO Artists Agency.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Time is on your side. Invest in the journey, not the destination. Be 100% in love with what you do and be 100% committed to working for it. Like my dad says, “Success is when preparation meets opportunity; stay ready.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://poo-noo-woozy.myspreadshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaronsfun/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA4LMuvX4EIA2HgC_LLUnpQ
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user825296363
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/69GVoRCyD6WXGXPddOqiPD
Image Credits
Aaron Flacke, Evan Mulling, Michael Doucett
