Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Campbell .
Jeff, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been a performer and a writer just about all my life. I competed in Forensics (speech & debate) in high school, and was a State Champion for three years and placed in the top 10 nationally all three years as well. After high school, I was accepted to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, CA. I couldn’t afford to attend, but I decided to go to California anyway. I got involved in underground music scene in California, working for Black Market Records in Sacramento. I helped promote and distribute records for X Raided and Brotha Lynch Hung, before returning home to Colorado. I took that knowledge of the music industry out there and hooked up with Gary Scratch G Martinez of the Kut N Kru, an underground label in the early 90’s in Denver. I used what I learned in California to help them get distribution and we performed mostly keg parties and warehouses. Soon I set on my own to carve my own identity as a Hip Hop artist. I formed an organization in ’97 called the Colorado Hip Hop Coalition, which began after a drive by shooting at a local record store in 5 points called “Spins CDs & Tapes”. We evolved into a direct service organization offering after school classes in DJing, Graffiti, B-boying and Emceeing for about nine years in DPS schools and others around the state. While doing that I joined an electronic- live ensemble called “Heavyweight Dub Champion” and we toured the US and Canada for about ten years before breaking up. I decided I was done with music at that point and I began to go back to acting, only now I was writing my own scripts. I wrote my first play “Who Killed Jigaboo Jones?” in 2013 and have been writing scripts ever since.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Artistic endeavors are always a struggle no matter what. My greatest challenges have always been believing in myself and learning the steps to being an entrepreneur. Learning how to go into business for yourself is gratifying but it also takes tremendous responsibility and discipline. Becoming dedicated to your vision and passion will teach you a lot about yourself and test you constantly. Also, I’ve had my share of struggles with depression, drugs, alcohol, violence, any and everything that can stop a person from achieving their goals. The key is to be able to forgive yourself, unlearn bad behaviors, take accountability and strive to do better.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Emancipation Theater Company – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are a social enterprise dedicated to gathering the community to share stories and inspire action. Our name was inspired by the quote from Marcus Garvey: “We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery, for though others may free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind”. We believe there are no better stories told in community theatre than stories from the community itself, and that storytelling amplifies “us”, and as it does so, it diminishes the “not us” the “us against them” and the “other”. We know the power of storytelling and we are not afraid to use it.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We want to build a national touring ensemble of abolitionists. Utilizing their talents, knowledge and skills to build an underground railroad culture through artistic expression and community mobilization.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emancipationtheater.com
- Email: info@emancipationtheater.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emancipationtheater/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emancipationtheaterco
Image Credit:
Personal photo by David Stevens
Recording studio photo by Celia Herrera
Character photo by Donnie Betts
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