John Kevin Jones shares his approach to bringing literature and poetry to life through live performance. He explains that the journey from selecting the work to standing in front of an audience involves immersing oneself in the text and allowing it to become intuitive. By deeply understanding the work and embodying it as a performer, new possibilities and questions arise that shape the performance. Jones specifically discusses his process in building the performance of “Live Oak, with Moss,” focusing on creating objectives, dramatic arcs, and a sense of urgency. Through living with the words in his mouth and his body in motion, Jones aims to offer a glimpse into a genuine and authentic part of Walt Whitman.
John Kevin Jones is an actor and storyteller, and the executive director of Summoners Ensemble Theatre. Currently in its 11th holiday season, Kevin has been performing his adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at the Merchant’s House (co-adaptor Rhonda Dodd) since 2013. Also at the Merchant’s House, Kevin has adapted and performed Killing an Evening with Edgar Allan Poe, and Whitman in Love – both slated to make a return in 2024. Kevin spent many seasons in regional theatre across the country before settling in New York City in 2000, and spends his free time thinking of other shows to entertain and excite the imaginations of Summoners Ensemble’s audiences. Kevin is a member of Actors Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild, and the Dramatists Guild of America.
For further information about John Kevin Jones’s upcoming performance of A Christmas Carol, which will run from Nov. 28th through Dec. 24th, 2023, please check: https://www.summonersensemble.org
We look forward to seeing you for the livestream on our YouTube channel on November 20th at 12:00 pm (EST).