John Jamison finds artistic alchemy in stage journey
John Jamison II. Photo provided by the Children's Theatre Company
By Azhae’la Hanson, Reporter
For as long as he can remember, John Jamison II has described himself as impressionable, taking in the world around him with childlike wonder.
“When I was a kid, I would watch Tarzan, and then I’d go home and swing from the chandelier,” he laughed.
Today, Jamison is a multi-disciplined artist who regularly books acting and singing gigs at venues like the Dakota Jazz Club and the Children's Theatre Company. He uses his talent as a teaching artist, working with schools like Lucy Laney Community School and Cityview Community School to teach acting to young kids.
Jamison brings his childlike wonder to the stage in the Children’s Theatre Company production “Milo Imagines the World,” where he plays the character of Jim, also known as Debbie Downer. The show runs from Feb. 4 to March 9.
For the Northsider, theater is an arena where he can truly let loose, be silly, and embrace the joy of creation. Jamison’s path to his various artistic commitments has been shaped by a deep sense of community, an abiding love for storytelling, and a commitment to transformation.
“I like to have fun,” he said. “I enjoy the freedom of playing with other people, and there’s something special about doing the same show every night but knowing each performance will be completely different. It’s that unpredictability that I love.”
But beyond the lightheartedness of theater, Jamison is also drawn to the deeper, more emotional aspects of his craft. He refers to this process as “alchemy” and “ascending to consciousness”– the transformative experience of taking hard, raw emotions and turning them into something beautiful on stage. This tension between joy and pain is something Jamison grapples with daily. “It’s an act of finding alignment with truth,” he said. “Even when you’re performing something exaggerated or silly, you still have to stay true to the emotional heart of the character.”
Jamison’s philosophy on performance goes beyond personal achievement. He sees theater as a transformative, healing force for communities. He believes that stepping onto a stage or even into an audition room is a way of confronting fear, ego, and insecurity.
“The healing is in the act of pushing past fear, pushing past self-doubt,” he said. “When you perform, you realize you can do it, even if you don’t feel perfect.”.
He also emphasized the importance of theater for young people, particularly kids of color, who may see themselves reflected in ways they never have before.
“It’s a powerful thing for kids to see characters that reflect their own experience,” he said. “They realize they can be part of something bigger than themselves.”
As Jamison brings his character to life in “Milo Imagines the World,” he is excited to share the story with young audiences. The show, which explores the imagination of a child named “Milo” as he perceives the world around him, is more than just a whimsical adventure – it’s a journey into empathy, understanding, and emotional discovery.
“The kids in this show are incredible,” Jamison said. “Their innocence and joy are infectious. It’s a story that I think a lot of kids, especially kids of color, will really connect with. It’s a show that isn’t afraid to point to the tough stuff in life while still maintaining that playful, imaginative spirit.”
Ultimately, he said he’s not in it for fame or recognition. The work is about aligning with his purpose.
“I want to be doing this for the rest of my life,” he says. “The show will never die for me. Whether I’m performing or writing, I just want to keep creating.”