Meet Jeremiah Porter!

Activist, Producer and Educator

I had the chance to connect with performer Jeremiah Porter this week. And immediately I was inspired by him... his passion for equality, the arts and spreading kindness is ever-present in his interview answers.  

To begin our interview I asked Jeremiah what he wanted to say about being a black performer in our world right now. And his within reading his first sentence I was inspired.

"Now is the time to create. There is currently an over-abundance of white-male content creators in power. These creators are either not interested in change or are stepping down to listen. Instead of looking to be enlisted to perform work that will impact our community, we should start trying to create opportunities for ourselves and others. That said, this is also an essential time for healing and introspection. If this summer has been a lot for you and your soul, do not feel pressured to put your trauma or experience on social media. Your mental health comes first. We are humans before we are artists. Always. I hope the industry will start to hire more non-white, non-male individuals in creative teams and casting agencies. Instead of sensitivity training toward creating shows featuring a culture that does not belong to them, it would be far more effective to hire someone with the history and perspective that will lend itself to tell that story." 

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Tell us about the Black Voices Cabaret you recently produced!
"Black Voices Matter was the second cabaret of JP+KC productions, the new production company I started with Kaycee Swierc, my co-producer. We create digital benefit concerts to raise money for organizations and funds that better our community. ‘Black Voices Matter: A Cabaret for Change” was dedicated to giving a platform to black artists, collect donations for the BLM movement and encourage viewers to text and take action for their community. We are planning another concert in August and hope to continue to make art for change."

How do you prepare for an audition?
"Whew, a big question.

• I research the creative team and their past productions first. When I watch a piece of work with this information, it clues me in to the choices they made in the script/production and their overall message for the show.

• After that, I learn the scenes and songs for a specific character I am interested in auditioning for, even if I'm not called in for anything. This lets me get to know the show more in-depth and gives me a sense of the production's arc.

• Once I learn about the creatives team's intention with their production, watch the show, learn a track for a character that I'm either called in for or am interested in, I then feel prepared to go in for the first vocal / dance call.

It sounds time-consuming, and it is, but it's empowering. When you're finally in the room, you know the show, have a perspective on the story, and you can comment on / relate to the career & lives of the people behind the table. Even if you don't get the gig, you now have all of that knowledge, and you're that much more powerful when you march on to your next audition."

Fun Facts!!

Who is your hero?

Will Smith 

What is your dream role?

I would love to play Lola in Kinky Boots one day. 

What is your favorite food?

Its a tie between Chinese Takeout and Baked Salmon (must be seasoned)

-What advice would you give to your 10 year old self? 

Stay strong, and remember that everything in life changes except for the occurrence of change itself.