Press
Jason A. Coombs: Actor, Director, and Bridgeport Native
By Angelica Castillo
August 2011
It's the last night of Jason A. Coombs' show, Let's Talk About Love: A Musical Cabaret at the Black Box Theatre in Newtown, CT. With a total of six performances, an energetic cast of 14 and R.A. training in the middle of his hectic schedule, one would think the young director would be exhausted. But, rather, Coombs was invigorated. As he watched from the back of the dark theater, the Bridgeport native stood with a bright smile across his face.
Coombs' interest in the theater came about an early age. Although he grew up in Bridgeport, it was as a high school student Coombs was able to truly develop his artistic interests. Coombs discovered the Regional Center for the Arts (RCA) in Trumbull, CT and the center became the stepping stone for Coombs' blossoming talent. Soon enough, what he had once considered just a hobby became a passion.
"I said, ‘I want to go to college for this because I love acting," told Coombs.
After high school, Coombs went on to study theater at Housatonic Community College, Pace University, and Wesleyan University's Center for Creative Youth. The acting enthusiast has graced the stage of the Playhouse On The Green in Bridgeport and performed in many productions including, Honk, Godspell and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He is currently majoring in Theater Performance at Western Connecticut State University.
It was at Western where Coombs met Jen Turey, an adjunct at the university. Turey was in the process of opening up The Black Box when she asked Coombs to join her for the opening season. It became an opportunity for him to step into the role of director.
Coombs described his switch from actor to director. "It's really different. You have to take back and let the actor do their process as well. The way I see stuff isn't always going to be the way they see stuff. I have to let them have their own creativity and also have mine as well."
The director credits his time with his cast as quite the learning experience. "It's all about collaborating. It can't just be what I want because I'm not always right. That's what you get from being a director. You're always learning different styles and seeing different sides from the actors. It's all a process."
But with putting on a production, comes its struggles.
"In community theater, it's really hard because people have jobs and they have their lives. Some people want to do this professionally and some people want to just do this for fun. It's having to find a balance between those different types of people and being able to make it work. It's a lot to put on a show," said Coombs.
Despite the difficulty of putting on a production, seeing all of his effort culminate in a performance is reward enough for him.
"We had our first meeting about the season before Memorial Day. Then three months later, we're seeing it all come together and now it's our last show. It's an amazing feeling, I can't even describe it. It's different from being on stage than watching what you've created. It's brilliant," said Coombs. "I'm not sure if I'm being bias or not, but they're all so good! I'm so proud of all of them."
Now with his career in the rise, Coombs continues to think big about his future. He is finishing up his last year at WCSU and is getting prepared for the upcoming theater season at school. He hopes to attend graduate school and one day open up a theater in Bridgeport.
"I just remember growing up always wanting to be an actor since as long as I can remember and not being able to do that. I just wished I had more opportunities earlier. I want to be able to do that for people like me who may not know how to do it and get them involved as early as they can," he said.
As far as the town that raised him, Coombs thinks fondly of the Park City and has a clear vision of its potential.
From the many enriching experiences Coombs has had, he advises anyone looking to accomplish the same goal to search for what they want and get it.
"Do it anyway you can. Call the theater. Volunteer at a show. That's the best thing to do. People are always looking to help others who want to get their foot in the door. If you want what you want, you've got to go for it," said Coombs. "I wouldn't be here if I just stayed put and let things pass by," he said as he flashed his signature bright smile.
http://theport.weebly.com/artist-feature-jason-a-coombs-actor-director-and-bridgeport-native.html
By Angelica Castillo
August 2011
It's the last night of Jason A. Coombs' show, Let's Talk About Love: A Musical Cabaret at the Black Box Theatre in Newtown, CT. With a total of six performances, an energetic cast of 14 and R.A. training in the middle of his hectic schedule, one would think the young director would be exhausted. But, rather, Coombs was invigorated. As he watched from the back of the dark theater, the Bridgeport native stood with a bright smile across his face.
Coombs' interest in the theater came about an early age. Although he grew up in Bridgeport, it was as a high school student Coombs was able to truly develop his artistic interests. Coombs discovered the Regional Center for the Arts (RCA) in Trumbull, CT and the center became the stepping stone for Coombs' blossoming talent. Soon enough, what he had once considered just a hobby became a passion.
"I said, ‘I want to go to college for this because I love acting," told Coombs.
After high school, Coombs went on to study theater at Housatonic Community College, Pace University, and Wesleyan University's Center for Creative Youth. The acting enthusiast has graced the stage of the Playhouse On The Green in Bridgeport and performed in many productions including, Honk, Godspell and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He is currently majoring in Theater Performance at Western Connecticut State University.
It was at Western where Coombs met Jen Turey, an adjunct at the university. Turey was in the process of opening up The Black Box when she asked Coombs to join her for the opening season. It became an opportunity for him to step into the role of director.
Coombs described his switch from actor to director. "It's really different. You have to take back and let the actor do their process as well. The way I see stuff isn't always going to be the way they see stuff. I have to let them have their own creativity and also have mine as well."
The director credits his time with his cast as quite the learning experience. "It's all about collaborating. It can't just be what I want because I'm not always right. That's what you get from being a director. You're always learning different styles and seeing different sides from the actors. It's all a process."
But with putting on a production, comes its struggles.
"In community theater, it's really hard because people have jobs and they have their lives. Some people want to do this professionally and some people want to just do this for fun. It's having to find a balance between those different types of people and being able to make it work. It's a lot to put on a show," said Coombs.
Despite the difficulty of putting on a production, seeing all of his effort culminate in a performance is reward enough for him.
"We had our first meeting about the season before Memorial Day. Then three months later, we're seeing it all come together and now it's our last show. It's an amazing feeling, I can't even describe it. It's different from being on stage than watching what you've created. It's brilliant," said Coombs. "I'm not sure if I'm being bias or not, but they're all so good! I'm so proud of all of them."
Now with his career in the rise, Coombs continues to think big about his future. He is finishing up his last year at WCSU and is getting prepared for the upcoming theater season at school. He hopes to attend graduate school and one day open up a theater in Bridgeport.
"I just remember growing up always wanting to be an actor since as long as I can remember and not being able to do that. I just wished I had more opportunities earlier. I want to be able to do that for people like me who may not know how to do it and get them involved as early as they can," he said.
As far as the town that raised him, Coombs thinks fondly of the Park City and has a clear vision of its potential.
From the many enriching experiences Coombs has had, he advises anyone looking to accomplish the same goal to search for what they want and get it.
"Do it anyway you can. Call the theater. Volunteer at a show. That's the best thing to do. People are always looking to help others who want to get their foot in the door. If you want what you want, you've got to go for it," said Coombs. "I wouldn't be here if I just stayed put and let things pass by," he said as he flashed his signature bright smile.
http://theport.weebly.com/artist-feature-jason-a-coombs-actor-director-and-bridgeport-native.html
