Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jaimelyn Gray. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jaimelyn, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
When I was living in Chicago, I was doing a play called The Beauty Queen of Leenane – a dark comedy that takes place in Ireland. An Executive Assistant from my Husband’s work put a whole bunch of employees together – many of whom who’d never seen a play – and brought them to the show. Afterwards, a few of the men commented to me they never knew theatre could be like what they had just watched. I knew then that I wanted to produce work that would get more of the average person into the theater to see a play.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Jaimelyn (she/her) is an Actor, Director, Producer, and Theatre Advocate who – after a decade in Chicago – relocated to Milwaukee in 2018 to dedicate herself to creating accessible, passionate, visceral theatre. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Constructivists (Best New Theatre 2018, Milwaukee Magazine), and has directed all their productions since inception. She is also the co-founder and current President of the Milwaukee Theatre Alliance (MTA), a theatre arts advocacy organization founded in 2019, and the Chief Representative for the Milwaukee Chapter of the Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL). Acting credits include the Utah Shakespeare Festival (first ever THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Educational Tour), Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (YPF), Riverfront Theatre (Rockford), Eclipse Theatre (Chicago), TUTA (Chicago) (favorites: The Cow in MARIA’S FIELD, Brecht’s THE WEDDING (Joseph Jefferson Award Nomination for Best Ensemble), and a deviser of, and performer in, FULTON STREET SESSIONS), and many other powerful Chicago storefront theatres. She collaborated with Luda Lopatina Solomon to form Chicago’s only English-Russian cross-cultural theatre company, Bluebird Arts (favorites: Maureen Folan in THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE and Hester in HELLO AND GOODBYE) and is a Marketing Collaborator for Chicago’s Facility Theatre. After growing up a theatre nerd in Manitowoc, Wisconsin (where she longed to move to the big city of Milwaukee), Jaimelyn is truly grateful to still be a theatre contributor, facilitator, and advocate. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, with additional training from Southern Utah University, in Cedar City, Utah. She is whole-heartedly grateful for the love and support of Les and Aurora, and whole-heartedly thanks them both for their patience with her artist heart and brain. “Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.” ― Bertolt Brecht jaimelyngray.com
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Ambition, resilience, empathy. Don’t listen to the noise. Go with your gut and follow the beat of your own drum. Try everything. If you want something, don’t give up on it.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
I am the longterm caregiver of my 22 year old disabled daughter who was born with a genetic disorder. My family lives far away, and community help is almost non-existent, so its just up to myself and her stepdad to provide constant care for her. Balancing her care and my career is a big challenge.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theconstructivists.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/or_just_jaime/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaimelyngray.fb/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimelyn-gray-64688728/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCplzlHNM2oc4_sA1Gkk6Hw
