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John Earl Jelks

@johnearljelks

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Tony Nominated Actor
Obie Award Winner-Gold Star
Audelco Award Winner
Watch @exhibitingforgivenessfilm - streaming now on @hulu

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On October 19, Magic Theatre presents a benefit reading of Cori Thomas’s Lockdown in support of No More Tears, founded by Lonnie Morris, whose work is dedicated to interrupting cycles of violence and creating pathways toward healing and transformation.

Inspired in part by Lonnie’s lived experience, Lockdown reminds us of the power of human connection and the possibility of change.

Join us for an evening where theatre meets purpose. Come support No More Tears and the vital work of building a more compassionate, just, and hopeful future.

🎭 October 19 | Magic Theatre
❤️ Benefit reading for No More Tears

#MagicTheatre #NoMoreTears #TheatreForChange #sanfranciscotheatre

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This has been one of the most magical weeks in my career as a playwright. ✨ I do not have all the words yet… but my heart is so full and so FED!!! 🥹🖤

I am so incredibly proud of BLACK-EYED PEAS & COLLARD GREENS. 🫛🥬 It was JOY-FULL to witness a room full of people experiencing this story—this BLACKITY BLACK BLACK story—and embracing all that it is. ✊🏾🖤

First, to @goodmantheatre , thank you for continuing to champion new work and new voices. Major shoutout to Kat, who has led me through New Stages this year with so much grace (and it ain’t over yet)! 🙌🏾

There are so many thank yous, and I could say soooooooo much, but to those who led the room this week—Chris, Melissa, and THE DOCTA SLICK—this piece has truly been made better because of you. Thank you for challenging me, holding the work with care, and helping me dig deeper into what this play wants to be.

And THE TALENT?! My God. Y’all really did y’all BIG ONE. 🔥👏🏾 Thank you for serving the story, for giving so much of yourselves, for playing and discovering, and for breathing life into each and every one of these characters. What a gift it was to hear these words in your mouths and watch this world come alive. 🥹

Cheers to the beginning. 🥂✨

What a blessing. What a gift it is to write for my people. 🙏🏾🖤

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BLACK BROADWAY LEGACY: Lynn Nottage is the FIRST woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama TWICE. She won in 2009 for Ruined and for Sweat in 2017! SWEAT was her Broadway Debut as a playwright and she has since wrote the book for MJ the musical and her play Clyde’s was on Broadway in 2021. She joined a list of playwrights including Tennessee Williams and Eugene O’Neil who have won the award multiple times. Later this year, the musical adaptation of Imitation of Life ,which Lynn Nottage is writing the book, will premiere at The Shed (Off Broadway).

Lynn Nottage is the EPITOME of Black Theatre Royalty! It’s important to give people their flowers 💐! Thank YOU Lynn for being a guiding light for generations of Black Theater Kids! ✊🏾

#broadway #theatre #theatrekid #lynnnottage #blackplaywrights

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I’ve been in a work-bubble, so I hadn’t had time to announce, but today is the world premiere of my short film, BUTTERCUP PUDDING PIE at the American Black Film Festival in Miami. Making the film with these beautiful humans was a tremendous gift. I feel lucky to know them.

Swipe for the trailer. @americanblackfilmfestival

#abff #filmmaking #shortfilm #beattheheart

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2020/2021 Season 4. PT2 Jada gets cancer the first time . Rough season. Most gratifying on so many levels... Thank you @shothechi @hillmangrad @lenawaithe @jewelofthenile

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Day 14 of 30: Teasers & Tales

Here are samples
Of more I want to share

Interviews
With great directors
and artists
Of movies
You may haven't heard
of
yet
That could rock your world
That could shift our swirl
of confusion
in our hearts or minds
to refine better
how to empathize
and synthesize
a new way of existing
believing in the best
of each other
and seeing ourselves
in another
is so much
of what great art does
but how
would we
know
it exists
without talking
or hearing about
the art...

the art if the INTERVIEW...!

so simple
so miscontrued
to simply share
stories
about why we create
and let others know
this film or song
or place exists
where we can
all benefit

I love curiosity
I love being curious
about what I'm not
even curious about
and what bias
I may have
against
or for something
why I think
a certain way
let's play
with
perspectives
as we take in
another story
and see
why we like
or don't like it
when we
can simply
try
to understand it
take it in
not be so quick
with a "hot take"
but a slow
simmer
of acceptance
Of another
and their story

I love the magic
that happens

when we try to be
interested
instead
of
interesting

~

Much love all~

~

🌞⚡️✌🏿🌍💛✌🏿🙏🏾✌🏿💛🌍✌🏿⚡️🌞

#Actor
#StorytellingIsHealing
@stanforcreators
#StanDareToPost
#Storytelling
#WorldPeaceThroughInnerPeace

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I was properly BLOWN AWAY by this movie, Exhibiting Forgiveness. This one GOT AWAY from awards season and legendary status but you can make it happen now on Super Channel. An absolute beautiful story of a father and son, forgiveness and art. Truly spectacular performances but the whole movie is led beautifully by Andre Holland. You will be recommending this one to everyone you know!

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CYNCITYPRODUCTIONS.STUDIO

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⭐️ Huge THANK YOU to @actorsummit @actormad @cinecitystudios and @stanleywozniak for hosting us in Chicago for #AES on September 5-7, 2025! It was such a powerful and inspiring event and we are so honored to be a part of it! 👏

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A E S D A Y T W O

Day 2 really solidified WHY I was supposed to be in this room. I was blessed to make so many connections, honor those who inspire me and expose my daughter to this world that I love! Until next time. ✌🏾🤎🙏🏾

#AES2025 #AES #actorsempowermentsummit #ActorsEmpowerment #motherdaughterduo

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ACTORS EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT 2025!!!

Y’all this was my first ever actor centered conference I’ve attended and it was truly a beautiful experience!! Special shoutout to founder of this iconic conference @actormad and shoutout to @suhhhloni for bringing us all together and @chicagoactorshub!!!

Highlights for me were:
- COMMUNITY: meeting so many folks from across the country and also reconnecting with pals I’ve made throughout my indie filmmaking experience!!
- CONTENT: “Don’t wait to Create” truly inspired to continue to creating the content I want to be casted
- REFRAME: Instead of Audition look at it as a chance to share your essence! Like @glenn_morshower said - tell yourself “Watch This Shit” and see what happens!!
- INSPIRATION: meeting so many incredible folks including THEE ICONIC ALYSON STONER!! ALSO one of my friends was featured in a film screening AND also shoutout to @jazi_jayz for an incredible live monologue🔥🔥!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
- TEAMWORK: SHOUTOUT TO THE AES DREAM TEAM!!!

Overall my cup is beyond filled and I’m excited for the next one! Storytellers UNITE!!

#explore #actor #chicagoactors

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Please spread the word about our upcoming LA screenings for Compensation, a limited engagement of 3 dates at the Los Feliz Theatre @am_cinematheque with L.A.-bred filmmakers Zeinabu irene Davis and Marc Chery. Come check out the gorgeous new 4K rejuvenation.

View the trailer here: https://youtu.be/gyTlR-TKFE8

Get your tickets: https://www.americancinematheque.com/series/zeinabu-irene-davis-compensation-limited-engagement/

𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀
𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟴, 𝟳:𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗺 (𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘆 & 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗤&𝗔 𝘄/ 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴; 𝗔𝗦𝗟 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱)
𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟯𝟭, 𝟰:𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗺
𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮, 𝟭𝟬:𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗺

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