Today we’d like to introduce you to CJ Stewart.
CJ, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
So to start, my name is CJ Stewart. CJ is for “Charles Jr” – Growing up, I’ve always been involved with the arts, whether it was doing talent shows or dancing and singing. My first dream actually was to be a rapper, which is on hold now. I got into sports as I was becoming a teenager in which I was very passionate about. I grew up hating school but loving all of the activities school came with. Towards the end of High School, I took a theatre class for fun, in which I was approached by my teacher and advised to consider taking it seriously.
Then, it really was placed on my mind to get into acting. I was at the point to where I didn’t want to continue education but wanted to immerse myself in the arts. That was until I met Regina King, Jackée Harry, and her ex-husband Elgin Charles. These three pioneers had become my mentors around this time and advised me to go “Master the craft,” and so, I took my behind to Prairie View A&M University, in which I was trained in Theatre by the incredible Dr. Cristal Chanelle Truscott. Here is also where I discovered that I LOVED education because I was finally learning about myself and where I came from.
Following PVAMU, in 2017, I was accepted to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, which is one of the top 3 conservatories in the United Kingdom. I studied for two years in Birmingham, England, achieving an MFA in Acting with ‘distinction.’ I became classically trained. Shortly after graduating in 2019, I had moved to New York City, booked a tour of Romeo & Juliet and later debuted downtown NYC in a show of Measure for Measure. I have been home in Dallas/Arlington, Texas, with my family during this pandemic but I am eager to get back to NYC and ready to get back to work whenever the world is more healed. Till then, I am doing what I can, advocating for Justice in regards to Black Lives and I am also creating and writing.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been quite a struggle getting into acting. I had put faith in my decision to change from playing football in college to becoming an artist. Everyone around me was telling me I needed a “backup plan.” I hated hearing it. But I took acting very seriously. I worked my tail off and in trying times where I wanted to quit, I had people around me who reminded me that I was made for this life. I’m still here and after seeing my work, people don’t ask me about a backup plan anymore.
It was also a challenge moving from Texas to England, and from England to NYC. All of these changes were extreme. I had to adjust myself and struggle a bit before I was in a routine. As well as acting, I’m also teaching the youth theatre. It has been a complete joy seeing how brilliant young minds are.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
So I’m an actor. I’m an artist if you will. Although my main focus lately has been acting, I also write, direct, teach and do photography. I am my own business and all of what I do revolves around storytelling.
When it comes to acting, I think one of the unique things about myself is that I’m a Black American who was classically trained in England. It was a rigorous, very specific training that I didn’t know I needed but was glad I got. Other than that, I’m just very, very passionate and very, very ambitious in everything I set my mind on. I won’t stop, ever. I want to change the world and give people that look like me opportunities that we don’t always get.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Regina King, Jackée Harry and Elgin Charles. They really was looking out for me and shifted me in a direction in which I really benefited from. I really didn’t know what I was doing until they came into my life. I am grateful for them.
Also, Dr. Cristal Chanelle Truscott, who taught me how to be an artist who is bold and extraordinary. She taught me how to really love myself and to love my Blackness. This woman means the world to me and I am forever grateful for her guidance. She’s someone who I always want to make proud. A powerful Black woman who has so much SOUL.
Pricing:
- $100 for a mini lifestyle photoshoot session
- $175 for a full 2 hour session
- $50 for headshots
Contact Info:
- Website: www.midasvisuals.com, www.cjstewartactor.com
- Email: kingmidasphotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: @TheAmazingCstew, @MidasVisuals_
- Facebook: CJ Stewart
- Twitter: @Cjdstewart
Image Credit:
My personal photos are taken by Camilla Frontain.
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
