D’Mariel Jones
If you were lucky enough to see D’Mariel Jones in the Lyric Stage productions of Ragtime, A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to The Forum, or Cabaret, you know what a gifted performer he is. D’Mariel lights up the stage with his singing, dancing, and flair for comedy. He’s one of those special performers who send you searching through your program to find out his name. D’Mariel is a senior at Texas Christian University where he is majoring in Musical Theatre and who knows where his talent will take him after he graduates in December? If you act quickly, you can catch D’Mariel in the WaterTower Theatre’s production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder starting July 20. Take a few moments to learn more about this phenomenally talented young star on the rise.
When was your first time on stage?
I believe I did a school performance in 2nd grade, but the one I really remember is my elementary school doing The Jungle Book, my 3rd grade year and I was a wolf!
When did you know you wanted to be an actor?
I always loved doing theatre, but it wasn’t until I was in the 7th grade when I realized I wanted to be an actor. My theatre program took a trip to New York (that was my first time ever on an airplane and going so far away). We saw Mary Poppins, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (with Daniel Radcliffe), and Billy Elliot. Seeing those kids perform for their lives in Billy Elliot and getting to do a talkback afterwards was so inspiring to me and I then knew I wanted to pursue a career as an actor.
Who is your greatest mentor?
I have a lot of people to thank for awakening my talents, believing in me, and giving me the tools, I need to succeed. Honorable mentions to my first true theatre teacher: Teresa Ragland, my high school choir teacher: Bradley Hester, and college professors: Penny Ayn Maas and Kelsey Milbourn.
What role have you enjoyed the most in your career so far?
Seaweed J. Stubbs in Hairspray and Oscar d’Armano in Lippa’s: The Wild Party.
Do you have a dream role?
I have SEVERAL! Aaron Burr in Hamilton, Pharus Young in Choir Boy, CC White in Dreamgirls, Tom Collins in Rent, any role in A Strange Loop, and I’d love to originate a role in a Broadway show one day!
What person(s) would you like to be on stage with?
Joshua Henry is probably my biggest Broadway inspiration, because he is incredibly versatile and insanely talented, so I would love to work alongside him and get to learn from him. Also: Jeremy Pope, Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., and MJ Rodriguez.
What performances have you seen that impressed you?
I was blessed enough to see Cynthia Erivo in the closing performance of The Color Purple and it was breathtaking. I saw Jeremy Pope in Choir Boy and was incredibly moved and finally saw myself fully represented as a Black, Queer Man on stage. I saw Thoughts of A Colored Man on Broadway and have never been more moved and inspired by a show. A Strange Loop is by far my favorite show that I have seen on Broadway, and I would love to be a part of the show some day.
What are your career goals?
I am very ambitious, so I have MANY career goals I am manifesting and working towards. I hope to act on stages around the world, including Broadway and National Tours, as well as TV & Film. I want to direct for the stage and TV & Film. I also want to be a producer for stage and TV & Film. I also hope to start my own theatre company and training program for youth, with a focus on youth of color and the LGBTQIA+ community.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
People would be surprised to learn that I am INCREDIBLY shy and I always get super anxious about performances. ALSO, I used to hate singing as a child in our church choir and didn’t realize I could actually sing until I was like 13 or 14.
