Today we’d like to introduce you to Mads Jackson
Hi Mads, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started doing theatre back in South Bend, Indiana when I was in the 5th grade. My first production was Annie and from there I like to say I got bit by the theatre bug. I was so passionate about theatre from the jump, never taking a break if I didn’t need to and always in at least one show (sometimes 2 or 3 at a time)! I did lots of shows in my youth such as Aladdin, Beauty and The Beast, A Christmas Carol, Legally Blonde, and so many more. I kept myself so busy and had such a love for theatre that I had done just about 50 different productions before the age of 18! I did theatre in all of the surrounding cities including places in Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. Though I had this huge passion for thetare, I never really thought I could make it a career. This all changed when I met a wonderful mentor who told me to go for theatre in college, and I’m so glad that he did! I ended up getting into Ball State University, where I got my Bachelors in Fine Arts (BFA) in Musical Theatre! This was a huge accomplishment and challenge for me, but this was really a pivotal point for me. At Ball State, I met life long coaches, mentors, and friends, and I got to be in so many wonderful productions such as Into The Woods, Violet, Bring It On, and SpongeBob SquarePants The musical! While there, I also got opportunities to go and perform in New York City with Sutton Foster and in Solo Cabarets! Overall, my college Theatre experience was quite magical. Though there were times where I may have doubted myself or questioned if I was meant to be in theatre, I always had people there to pick me up and keep me going. I graduated knowing theatre was definitely my home. Now, I work at Playhouse On The Square here in Memphis, TN and I couldn’t be happier. I got the wonderful opportunity to join the company as one of their associate resident members for the year! In their season, I have already done Coco Queens and Waitress, but you could still catch me in The Wizard of Oz, Parade, Seussical, and Caroline Or Change! The biggest thing I would want to leave people with is to keep going. Even when you don’t believe in yourself or others don’t believe in you, even when you have people pushing you down telling you you can’t, you CAN! Keep going and persue your passion.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Many of my struggles were mental. It is hard not to beat yourself up and tell yourself that you can’t. There were many times I considered leaving theatre and ending what I love, but luckily I had mentors and friends who lifted me up and kept me afloat. It was also challenging growing up and getting used to the competition side of theatre, it is a huge aspect of the job that most people don’t really talk about. It is hard to compare yourself to others and still keep positive, and I struggled with that sometimes. Through my childhood, my mother and father always kept me motivated and told me not to worry about the other kids. This didn’t change as an adult as they are still my biggest cheerleaders in the moments that are really tough in this industry.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Right now I work at Playhouse On The Square. I am most proud of my perseverance though all the hard times and that I never lost my passion, even when I didn’t believe in myself. I think what sets me apart from others is my drive and my kindness. Theatre can be a really harsh, mean, scary field of work, especially as a woman, so I try hard to be a light in the theatre community. Always available for mentorship or friendship, I work hard to make sure the people who I am surrounded by are happy and are supported, because we don’t always get that.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Josh Naperkowski was my first theatre teacher and mentor ever, he got me started and taught me all the foundations.
Paul Mow was a mentor I found later in my theatre career who encouraged me to keep going and is the reason I decided to pursue theatre as a career.
Beth Truitt was my mentor all through college and truly kept me afloat in any good or bad time. She became a second mother to me and I couldn’t have made it through my 4 years of schooling without her.
And of course my mother and father, Libby Lake and Mike Jackson. They drove me to every rehearsal, show, gig. Picked my head up when it was down, spent countless hours in the theatre to support me, and always believed in me no matter what. My mom is actually the person who first encouraged me to try theatre, bringing me to my first audition. I couldn’t have gotten to where I am without them and the rest of these people.
Pricing:
- If they want to see me perform in person, come to Playhouse On The Square for the shows mentioned and introduce yourself to me! I am always looking to meet more people in the Memphis community as I am still new here!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Madirosejackson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madssjacksonn/profilecard/?igsh=MXkyaGNseHE0bG1zaw==
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@madssjacksonn?si=wQ3kMV85VA_7IE9J
