J. Michael Jones
Board Director
While pursuing a career as a musical theatre performer, J. Michael Jones taught K through eighth grade in the Chicago Public Schools system for 41 years. Now as a retiree, J. Michael has an extensive regional theatre resume of over 40 musicals spanning opera, motion pictures, and theatre. A few of his credits include Katheryn Dunham Theatre The Wiz (The Wizard), Columbia Pictures Gladiator (Gambler), Porchlight Theatre Gypsy (Pop) & Dreamgirls (Marty), a chorus member in Lyric Opera’s Amistad & Ravinia’s Porgy and Bess, Candlelight Dinner Playhouse Five Guys Named Mo (Big Moe), Theatre On The Lake Pippin (Leading Player), and Paramount Pictures The Kid Who Loved Christmas (Cashier).
With a smooth tenor voice that easily floats to a high D, J. Michael received his BFA in vocal performance from Illinois Wesleyan University right out high school. His film and television appearances consist of United Artists Pictures, Inc., Columbia Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Viacom Pictures. He is happiest now while creating quilts that display insignia created by his massive embroidery machine which also embroiders T-shirts, caps, facemasks, etc.
In taking on the responsibility of a BTAA board member, J. Michael is quick to point out, “it takes a lot for a black theatre artist to survive and thrive in Chicago. I know. I did it. I’m still doing it. So, when I see talent, baby, I know talent. I know the demands. I know the drive. I know the twinkle in a performers’ eyes that says, ‘I’m surviving, and you need to recognize what I just showed you’. Child, I can’t wait to hand out one of these BTAA rewards.”