JDC Theatre
About
"And yet will I show you a still more excellent way" (I Corinthians 12:31) For over 25+ years, I have worked successfully in a dual career as actor-educator, teaching speech and voice/diction, acting, both in the classroom and on the stage. In addition, I have taught all levels of English, from Developmental Writing to Business Writing, incorporating my theatre training into my discipline in striving to bring out the excellence in my students. I challenge them to put their best self forward with a combination of energy, creativity, discipline, and knowledge. I seek to help them discover their fullest potential and, at the same time, instill them with the solid tools, comfort, and confidence to realize their fullest potential. This means a sincere commitment to sacrifice and effort to achieve greatness. Writing is a process, and one has to be constant in the quest for more accuracy, consistency, and clarity in meaning. The same applies to the theatre; you have to be willing to practice incessantly to achieve sound results. Through practice, creativity, and discipline, my students have discovered a consistent way of working they can count on, even when they are not at their best. I am passionate about my craft and encourage the same in my students, whether it is one-on-one or a group.
I recently completed a 16-performance run of Jewell Gomez' play "Waiting for Giovanni," a psychological and emotional drama examining James Baldwin's struggles with the publication of his second controversial novel, "Giovanni's Room" at the Flea Theatre in Tribeca. I had the honor and challenge of portraying Baldwin. Years later, I have had the same excitement and passion for the theatre as when I first came to New York! I love the process of building a character and exploring the range of emotions. I love the smell of a live audience and the electricity it sends around the room! Just as much, I love sharing this journey with students, helping them to find their way! Many of today's artists are lacking the solid training and discipline of yesterday's Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn, Ruby Dee, or James Earle Jones. They want the short cuts and quick success, but don't have the longevity. I want to pass on the tradition under which I was trained; you must have a way of working that can sustain you over time and through all of the other genres (film, TV, video, etc.). This strive towards excellence continues to fuel me to leave a legacy of which I can be proud. Not everyone can perform and teach; God has blessed me with the capacity to do both, and I am grateful enough to be selfless with this gift. I will go forth and try to be a blessing!
Highlights
Specialties
Experience level
Acting venue(s)
People in group
Acting focus area(s)
Students goals
Acting type(s)
Student's age
Photos and videos
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Interview the student about what he/she wants to gain from studying and why it is important
Gain additional background on the student's interests and motivations (favorite actor, movie, artist)
Gain insight on the student's previous education and training
Have the student read or present a short piece to access abilities
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Jonathan Dewberry Actor-Singer (AEA) (SAG) (AFTRA)
Cell: (862)215-6067 Height: 5'11" [email protected] Weight: 190 lbs
TRAINING
New York University, Ph.D., Performance Studies
Michael Chekhov Studio (New York)
Pennsylvania State University, M.A. Theatre Performance
Michigan State University, B.A. Theatre Education w/honors
Special Skills: Voice (Classical, Jazz, Pop, Musical Comedy, Dialects)
Dance (Modern, Jazz, Flamenco, East Indian)
FEATURED ROLES
(Off-Broadway) Director Theatre/Company
James Baldwin WAITING FOR GIOVANNI Mark Finley
The Flea Theatre
Creenis ANGELA'S JUSTICE Mary Hodges Theater for the New City
Prospero THE TEMPEST Sara Thigpen Boomerang Theatre
Papa D. BLUES FOR MR. CHARLIE Michael Ryan Judson Mem. Church
Marcellus/Player Queen/ HAMLET John Basil American Globe Theatre Gravedigger
Xavier MIDDLE CLASS BLACK FOLK IN Richard Willis, Jr. American Place Theatre
THE CLAIR DE LUNE
Thomas THE ERROLS T.J. Fletcher 45th Street Theatre
Remi THE BLACK HERMIT Shela Xoregos Samuel Beckett Theatre
Bill Jameson WINE IN THE WILDERNESS Lorna Littleway Hadley Players Theatre
Poppa Haynes MR "B" CHANGED THE KEY Rey Allen Frank Silvera
Writers Workshop
Tshembe LES BLANCS William Ellis Paul Robeson Theatre
Walter/Tshembe TO BE YOUNG, GIFTED Lee Frank Hartley House
AND BLACK
Nelson WEDDING BAND Billie Allen American Place Theatre
Baritone Soloist THE PLAGUES OF OUR TIME Tom O'Horgan LaMama E.T.C.
(Regional)
Duncan/Porter/Mentieth MACBETH Colette Rice Actors Shakespeare Co.
King Alonso THE TEMPEST Claire Beckman Brave New World Repertory Reverend Sykes TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Paul Meachum Tri-State Actors Theatre
Jim THE ADVENTURES OF HUCK FINN Rob Lauer Cotton Hall Theatre (GA)
Baritone Soloist ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE The Hammerstein Society Midtown Mgmt
Dr. M.L. King, Jr. I HAVE A DREAM Mobile Ed Productions
Buks VALLEY SONG Rodney Douglas New Day Repertory
Dr. Dudley Stanton THE RIVER NIGER Rodney Douglas New Day Repertory
Sizwe Bansi SIZWE BANSI IS DEAD Rodney Douglas New Day Repertory
Bojangles/Bert BURNIN' SO DEEP Bruce Butler I.R.T. Repertory Theatre
*Solo Performance MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY Dr. J. Dewberry JDC THEATRE CO., INC.
(Stock)
Captain Corcoran H.M.S. PINAFORE Helen Manfull The Playhouse (PA)
Bob the Saw THREE PENNY OPERA Garland Wright PA. Festival Theatre
Amarilla PAL JOEY Tom Gruenwald PA. Festival Theatre
Aslaksen AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE Brian Morgan Pavilion Theatre (PA)
Judas Iscariot JESUS CHRIST, SUPERSTAR Farley Richmond The Auditorium (MI)
*Jason MEDEA *Jonathan Dewberry Arena Theatre (MI)
Television Radio
Saturday Night Live (NBC); As the World Turns (CBS); PBS Broadcast w/Joseph Chaikin; National
Applause (Group W Cable); Perspectives in Black (WKAR) Black Radio Network Dramas;
Black News (Channel 62); Lateline, Law and Order (NBC) NJ Historical Society
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$45/per hour