Jonathan Clark is #MadeForKnoxville.

Jonathan “Courageous” Clark started his lifelong journey in the arts at the age of 13. He had earned speaking roles and performed in plays throughout elementary and middle school, but never seriously considered himself an artist until being selected by The Carpetbag Theatre to become a member of their T.R.Y. Youth Theatre Ensemble. 

It was through Carpetbag that Jonathan truly discovered a love for writing and performing. For nearly a quarter of a century, he has developed his craft, expanding into teaching and empowering others to find their voices as well. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced an intermission in the live performance industry, Jonathan was able to create and direct a virtual play called Covid Stories: When The Hugs Went Away–one of the most powerful experiences of his life. He realized that witnessing performances ultimately and intimately changed the way he saw the world and the people in it. Through art, he discovered empathy and a passion for justice, not to mention a fervent belief in the idea that each person should be the one empowered to tell their story. Jonathan is now seeking to bring his love for the arts and amplifying others’ stories and voices to a hand-crafted curriculum that will redefine Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work through the lens of the Arts. With the help of Catherine Porth and the Co.Starters Program, his dream is finally becoming a reality.

“I couldn’t imagine what I’d be doing if I were never touched by Art, and it’s my life’s commitment to ensure that no one has to make their way through life knowing the answer to that question.”

In Their Own Words…

I began my lifelong journey in the Arts at the age of 13. I’d had speaking roles and performed in plays throughout elementary and middle school, but never seriously considered myself an artist until I was selected by The Carpetbag Theatre to become a member of their T.R.Y. Youth Theatre Ensemble. It was through Carpetbag that I truly discovered my love for writing and performing. 

I began frequenting the Knoxville Poetry Slam and won my first poetry slam competition at the age of 14 and won the Knoxville Poetry Slam Champion Title at 17. Later that same year, I auditioned for Carpetbag Theatre’s Swopera: A Spoken Word Opera, and got the role as the young, budding poet “Lem.” This became the opportunity of a lifetime for me, as we got to take the show on the road and tour the country performing this original piece. 

For nearly a quarter of a century now, I’ve been writing, acting, performing, touring, learning, and teaching. My art and the life I’ve chosen for myself has taken me to 46 states, 3 countries and has gifted me some of the most amazing friendships and opportunities one could ever hope for and I’m so grateful. I couldn’t imagine what I’d be doing if I were never touched by Art, and it’s my life’s commitment to ensure that no one has to make their way through life knowing the answer to that question.

Woefully aware that this sounds cliché these days, but [Covid-19] is the anchor point to my big pivot. Covid was unkind, to say the least, to those of us living and working in the Arts sector. My big pivot came when I realized that I could do more by facilitating and teaching this work to those who had never had the opportunity to experience the power of Art the way I’d been fortunate enough to experience it in my youth. Witnessing performances ultimately and intimately changed the way I saw the world and the people in it. It helped me discover empathy and a passion for justice, not to mention a fervent belief in the idea that each person should be the one empowered to tell their story. 

I found there was so much healing power in story and storytelling, even more so, as I helped create and direct a virtual play called, Covid Stories: When The Hugs Went Away, during the height of the pandemic. I don’t remember ever being part of something so powerful. 

With this in mind, I realized there aren’t many folx out here under 40 with nearly 25 years of experience doing much of anything, so I leaned in and started to gather and organize some of the lessons, stories, and practices I’ve picked up throughout my journey and piece them together as a sort of curriculum that would redefine Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work through the lens of the Arts. 

With the help of the amazing Catherine Porth, the Co.Starters Program, and the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, this idea, this dream of mine, is finally becoming a reality, and I couldn’t be more excited for my future.

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