Who said that the Asbury Park High students doesn’t get to hear from the best which helps them in their career choices after high school is completed?
Actor J. Bernard Calloway comes to Asbury Park High School
The students from Mr. Kilmer’s class not only know first hand what it feels like to see a major theater production JITNEY, given by the Two River Theater in Red Bank NJ, they also had the opportunity to meet seasoned actor J. Bernard Calloway who starred in the play.
The program director of the Asbury Park School Base Youth Service Program Phyllis Ledbetter along with the Two River Theater and Gilda Rodgers, organized the event.
J. Bernard Calloway was introduced by Ms. Gilda Rodgers. Ms. Rogers is an author, former book store owner, teacher, educator and now host of ‘Frank Talk”, which can be seen on Comcast Cable Television Network. Gilda’s love for theater and education has allowed her to work closely with the Two River Theater Associate Artistic Director Stephanie Cohen to bring real actors to the student’s classroom.
About J. Bernard Calloway
Mr. J. Bernard Calloway, a native of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, spoke to the students about his journey in pursing an acting career. Calloway has done theater, movies, commercials, voice overs and the list goes on and on. He talked about how he went to Alabama State University on a football scholarship, who initially went there to major in accounting with a music minor. He had no idea that he was going to end up as a professional actor until he got the acting bug after doing his first play on campus. He auditioned for a college play by singing one of Fred Hammond’s gospel songs and landed the part. He knew then that he loved acting and changed his major to Theater and received his Master Degree in Fine Arts.
In JITNEY, Calloway ▶️ the role of Booster the son of JITNEY cab driver owner Becker played by Chuck Cooper. Bernard is a troublesome son and never developed a real relationship with his father because of his problems with the law that landed him in a correctional institution. Booster was disowned and was a total let down to his father. But in the end, his father’s death is redeemed after Booster decides to take over the cab company that his father worked so hard to run and maintained for many years. This was something that his father always wanted for him.
Mr. Calloway candidly spoke to the students and communicated the ups and downs of being in the acting world. He talked about the highs and the lows of being a professional actor and told the students to follow their dreams, especially if acting and being in show business is really what they wanted to do. After the session with the students was over, the theater students at Asbury Park were well educated to the opportunities in pursing a professional acting career as Calloway signed autographs for them.
J. Bernard Calloway currently stars in the Broadway play, Memphis.
