Jarrett Michael Collins is from Dayton, Ohio where he discovered his love for the arts at a young age. He’s an actor, music producer, and writer pursuing his dreams and passion in the film industry in Atlanta which is being called Hollywood of the South. He’s one of the co-owners of The Booking Room in Atlanta where actors can work on their craft amongst their peers. It was created by actors for actors.
We briefly discuss his fears which I know some people don’t like to talk about. Just from talking to him and others, I learned that their fears change with their growth. He mentions that as he was growing up he feared failure which I believe we all can relate to that. Then as he got older, he had a fear of success and of not letting his friends and family down. Even that has changed for him in that he allows it to motivate him instead of hindering him.
We talked about his favorite roles and those he looks up to in the industry. Read what has been so far his favorite role so far in his career. I’ll give you a hint: it’s on Netflix. Alright, I know that’s not fair, but I will add it’s a popular show. Learn about Jarrett and how it all started for him.
Introducing Jarrett
What do you love about your life right now?
I made an effort to have some sense of balance and to be able to balance my relationships with my friends, my artistic career, and to also take the time to focus on myself. I call myself a very spiritual person, and I definitely try to be. So, I really try to put God in a lot of things that I do, and to have a balance and to do all those things is not exactly the easiest thing in the world. I think the one thing that I love about my life right now is that I’m starting to get better about finding that balance. It has really made me a better person for it.
Was there any particular actor or film that inspired you to act?
I was a big watcher of things like In Living Color. The actors on there like David Alan Grier, Jim Carrey, and the Wayans brothers influenced me. That show was the beginning. I’ve always been theatrical or over dramatic but not in a bad way from a young age. Watching shows like In Living Color when I was younger kind of influence that, so like Jim Carey and David Alan Grier are some of my favorite actors growing up. Leonardo DiCaprio is a big favorite of mine, and Will Smith along with Martin Lawrence as well. I love what Smith and Lawrence were doing. They’re hilarious and extremely talented.
You’ve been involved in the arts since you were a child and even wrote a book in elementary school. Do you remember what the title was?
I do not remember. I really wish I did. It was an adventure book, and it was a kid who had a sword and shield. It was NeverEnding Story inspired. I illustrated it and I wrote it, and that’s what helped me to win first place in the citywide competition for kindergartens. One thing I’ve never doubted about myself is the love of the arts. It’s been there since I was a very little boy.
I’ve seen you perform on The Quad, Cream x Coffee, in a music video by Tammy Rivera titled All These Kisses, and perform improv as well. You’re a versatile actor, do you prefer drama over comedy?
I prefer comedy. I do it nearly enough. I have done way more dramatic material than I’ve done comedy. Whenever I do training in The Booking Room in Atlanta, it offers me the opportunity to play and do improv. To have fun is the most important thing and to get up there and cut loose and let your personality to shine through. I’m naturally a very goofy person so I can be very serious but it’s so much more fun to make people laugh and to laugh at yourself. I think that’s something I did more of and look forward to diving more into this year.
With the various roles you’ve played on from The Quad, 24:Legacy, Tales on BET, and Stranger Things, do you have a favorite role?
I had a blast doing all those roles. I would like to speak on one role from an independent film called Lucky Charms. I really cut loose in that one, and I got to play a psychotic character. He’s completely off his rocker and a supervillain. The opportunity to play a supervillain is always fun and really able to go into some dark territory with a role like this. Everyone in the film did a fantastic job, and Tiara Luten directed it. She did the film Goddess. I did some composing and musical scoring on that film. It’s my first music credit in a film. I really appreciate her for that.
To be in Stranger Things was a dream come true. When Stranger Things came out, that was my absolute favorite series. I’m such 80’s nostalgic baby. Watching films like E.T. and The NeverEnding Story and to escape and have a good time and to keep you on the edge of your seat. With Stranger Things, it was all of that. To dive into a series like that and never thought that less than a year later that I would be on the second season. That was a dream come true, and I will never forget that experience. I had so much fun working on set. I’m very appreciative of my agents for getting me that audition, and it will sit with me the rest of my life.
Any role that you have played that you feel is a lot like you?
There are two different ways to answer this question. If there was anyone in particular that was like me., it would be the role I play on The Quad. I played Duncan who is the big brother to Bryce (one of the main characters) on the show. I think it kind of mirrors the relationship with my brother in real life. That was one thing that I definitely kept in my mind. When I got the role, I thought that I don ‘t have to do anything extravagant because this guy is me. The relationship between him and Bryce is like that typical big brother. Definitely some picking on going on, but at the same time, he’s still big bro. He been there before and understands what his little brother is going through. I think having a little brother really help me to be able to understand whatever what Bryce was going through and to do my part in playing that role to carry the story forward.
Tell me a couple of fun facts about you.
I got my first kiss in kindergarten, and I didn’t even want it.
I would like to travel and to be able to taste food from every culture. Who wouldn’t want to travel and try different foods? I told my agents that if they ever come across a food show that needs a host, I would want it. That’s a huge dream of mine.
I share motivational quotes with my readers, do you have one you could share.
Never give up. Never surrender.
Who do you look up in the industry in Atlanta?
I’m so inspired by so many different people and my peers. Those that I work with at The Booking Room are just a few I look up like Travis LaBranch and Patrick Walker. My parents are huge. In my influence, artistic and spiritual, my Mother and Father are the most influential. My parents are artists in their own respects. They influenced me the most and I’m forever grateful for them. They have given me so much throughout my life.
If there was one thing you could change in the world, what would that be?
I would like for everyone to be happy. There are so many things that come from being happy. I would also want everyone to be loved. I think that if you’re happy, in one shape or form that you are loved.
Anybody you would love to work with?
If I could put Will Smith, Jim Carrey, and Leonardo Dicaprio in one film, I would not any more roles. I wouldn’t have to act again. That right there is a dream. Those three have influenced me so much.
In one word, describe yourself.
Unbreakable
What other dreams do you have?
I have dreamed about directing. There are so many things on my to-do list. Writing is huge since when I was little, but directing is something that I would absolutely love to do. I would love to tell the story from behind the camera. I’ve loved telling stories since I was a little boy.
You’re one of the co-owners of The Booking Room, what do you want people to know about it?
It’s a judgment-free zone. It’s a place where you can be yourself. You can most certainly try things there. It’ s a perfect environment for anything that you want to work on like character work. You’re doing it in front of your peers and people you know and people you don’t know. There are always new people in there. It’s a place where you can learn and network and be challenged and be around people who have the same dreams and aspirations as you do. Individuals that are there are different places in their careers and that can be very inspiring. We want to leave The Booking Room feeling inspired and that you can conquer anything.
One final question, if there was one thing you could change in the world, what would that be?
I would like for everyone to be happy. There are so many things that come from being happy. I would also want everyone to be loved. I think that if you’re happy, in one shape or form that you are loved.
Social Links
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OneandOnlyFinal his video short
Actor Reel
If you would like to read about Jarrett’s improv with a group of actors out of Atlanta, check this link out from my site in which I wrote a review.