We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tommie Earl Jenkins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tommie , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I think my work ethic came from a very young age. I began working at fourteen, in a summer theatrical program called The Urban Arts, in my hometown of Canton Ohio. It was there that I learned all about the theatre and how it worked, what it took to be a young actor, allowing mistakes to be made and learning from them. I eventually began to do more work at The Players Guild of Canton, a local community theatre where I was introduced to the workings of onstage and offstage etiquette, learning the respect that one should have with other actors. Learning to listen was invaluable, now that may sound crazy but, listening is one of the most important things one can do. Watching others and absorbing information that would one day be the foundation for my career. Understanding how to hone my talent in a way that would really serve me to the best of my ability. For me a great work ethic is everything.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My full name is Tommie Earl Jenkins and I’m an Actor, Voiceover Artist, Writer & Creative. I also sing a bit too. I absolutely love what I do. It hasn’t always easy to be seen or heard and you have to work very hard at making sure that happens. As a black LGBTQ+ man, that hasn’t always been the case but things are changing slowly for the better. I’m very fortunate to be able to do what I do and love it. Not everyone is in the same boat. Unlike a regular 9 to 5, the difference is not having security in this industry. You’re constantly putting yourself out there to be judged and vying for jobs that often go to people with a higher profile, always trying to prove to the powers that be that you’re the right person for the job. It’s a tough business where only the strong survive. But I love it. When I book a job, it always feel like I’ve won the lottery because I know how many people I had to beat out in order to get this job. I’m always grateful but also know that I’m truly deserving of it. One of the best things about what I do, is getting to meet so many different people all the time from all walks of life. Every job is different, with different people, producers, casting directors, cast and crew. I’ve made a lot of friends over the time.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three most impactful qualities or skills for me were learning to accept and embrace who I am, listening and absorbing important information when required and focus. Oh, and here’s a fourth one for FREE, Run your OWN race!
My advice to anyone starting out on their journey is to refer to the above! and throw a bit of gratitude in there for good measure.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
What I do when I feel overwhelmed for whatever reason, is to take a moment. Stop. Breathe.
Nothing is ever brought or given to you that you can’t achieve. it has come to you for a reason, and if you ever feel the impossible, just think “I’M POSSIBLE”.
Life is a funny one but there are lessons that we must learn along the way and sometimes it takes a few tries to get it right.
When you feel the challenge is too much, just step back and reevaluate the situation and most likely you’ll find the solution.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tommieearljenkins.com
- Instagram: @tommie_earl_jenkinsofficial
- Facebook: Tommie Earl Jenkins
- Twitter: @teejaye84
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@TommieEarlJenkinsOfficial
- Other: TikTok @officialtmmjenk
Image Credits
The Riker Brothers
