S2 010: Jasmine Cephas Jones — Art Is Not Made In Safety

Today I sit down with television and film actress, Broadway star, and singer-songwriter, Jasmine Cephas Jones. Introduced into the world of entertainment by her father, actor Ron Cephas Jones, and her mother, jazz singer Kim Lesley, Jasmine went to school for the performing arts starting in middle school . She spent many years studying voice at LaGuardia High School in New York City as well as throughout her college years at Berklee College of Music.

Today, Jasmine shares the feelings of vulnerability that came soon after where she felt something was missing and was unsure about exactly what kind of career she wanted to pursue. When she realized the missing link she had been searching for was acting, Jasmine immediately committed to studying the craft through experience with the LABrinth Theater Company and training in the Meisner teachings of the Neighborhood Playhouse for Theater. She shares her experiences with the peaks and valleys of the business, from being dropped by an agent, to landing the roles of Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds in the Tony award winning Broadway hit musical, Hamilton. Even after conquering the world of Broadway, Jasmine ventured out to Los Angeles where she reveals she felt as if she was starting from scratch, grinding all over again to prove herself in the business of show business.

While she admits to having moments of wanting to give up, Jasmine shares the mindsets she’s carried with her over the years to help keep her moving through those moments of uncertainty. The belief she has in herself has earned her an extensive list of credits including roles on, HBO’s “Girls” and “Mrs. Fletcher”, as well as roles in films such as “Blindspotting”, “The Photograph”, “Monsters and Men” and can currently be seen on Quibi’s newly released, “#FreeRayShawn”. If you’re looking for tips, be sure to take notes as Jasmine reveals details about her own process for creating riveting characters that light up the screen.

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Guest links:

• IMDB: Jasmine Cephas Jones
• INSTAGRAM: @jazzy_joness
• TWITTER: @JasCephasJones
• YOUTUBE: Jasmine Cephas Jones
• APPLE MUSIC: 'Blue Bird' EP Release

Credits:

• WRITER: Erin McCluskey
• SOUND DESIGN: Zachary Jameson
• WEBSITE & GRAPHICS: Chase Jennings
• ASSISTANT: Elle Powell
• SOCIAL OUTREACH: Bebe Katsenes