We had the good fortune of connecting with J.R. Bradford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi J.R., what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
As a kid,I thrived most in creative spaces and felt free when doing it. Then,I did a production in High School(O.D. Wyatt High School) where I literally walked onstage and received a standing ovation without even speaking. I had a reputation for being class clown so they couldn’t wait to see what I would bring to the character. After that moment,I said to myself, “This is what I wanna do for a living.” I’ve been an artist ever since!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It all started for me in Fort Worth,Tx at O.D. Wyatt High School. My theatre teachers, Jan Golden and Ronald Kelly put me in productions to give me experience. One day,Rudy Eastman came to our class to speak to us about theatre arts and invited me to audition at Jubilee Theatre. I auditioned but didn’t book it. In fact,it took me 13 years of auditions at Jubilee to finally book there. I enrolled into acting school in 2007 at KD Conservatory of Film & Dramatic Arts so that I could learn from industry professionals. After that, I booked my first professional gig 4 days after graduation and it’s been an amazing ride since then.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First thing we’re doing is parking the car,jumping on the trolley,and headed to uptown to enjoy some Thai food from Crush Craft in the Quadrangle. Next, we’re headed straight to Northpark Center to shop a little bit and grab a drink at Eataly. Lastly,we’ve gotta find a moment to enjoy the bars, restaurants,and that huge screen at AT&T Discovery.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My very first mentors Sheran Good speed Keyton and Teekoyah Nickson. Soul Rep Theatre Company
Jubilee Theatre
Urban Arts Acting Company

Instagram: jrbradford21

Twitter: @jr_bradford21

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JrbradfordVirgo21

Image Credits
Evan Michael Woods Naifeh Photography Freddie Watkins

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