As we celebrate lots of new things on the Live Arts Theatre horizon, we are highlighting various people who make up the village we like to call the Live Arts Theatre family. This series will focus on the many actors, directors, techies, stage hands, members, and even our regular theatre-goers who make Live Arts Theatre great.
Our next profile is Lee Jones.
Please introduce yourself: How long have you been involved in theatre?
I’ve been teaching plays since my first course as a UGA T.A. back in 1987, and I have taught such Shakespeare, Susan Glaspell, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and more recently Paula Vogel many times. I first stepped into an audition in 2005, when I joined the cast of now-defunct New London Theatre’s To Kill a Mockingbird, and I’ve done at least one show every year since.
What brought you to Live Arts?
Hot L Baltimore brought me to Live Arts in 2016. I had the great fortune that director Starshine Stanfield cast me as Mr. Morse, an elderly man trying to stay out of a nursing home, whom I feel in love with playing. I’ve come back for several shows, directed readings, and workshops since, joining the Board of Directors in 2017.
What is your favorite Live Arts show that you’ve worked on/seen? And Why?
My favorite LAT show remains Hot L Baltimore, although working with the outstanding cast of Evelyn in Purgatory remains a wonderful experience. Before the pandemic (and, I hope, after it ends), the cast of Hot L Baltimore has periodically gotten together for an endless cast party!
What do you love about Live Arts?
I love Live Arts’ commitment to diversity and community education. Anyone with interest and a smidgen of commitment can come to Live Arts and receive training in every area of community theatre that I can imagine. Also, anyone who wants to appear onstage knows that Live Arts strives to assemble casts that look and sound like our county and the playwright’s vision. The growth I’ve seen among several individuals has astounded me.
What are you looking forward to?
Like most jack leg community theatre actors, I’m looking forward to my next part! Any support our community can give to make the next LAT play happen feeds the spirit of the community as well as of the audience and performers who will bring the next play to life.