Monday, November 8, 2010

JAMI LEIGH HOWARD

This is Jami. She's a recent North Carolina transplant. Jami works in nonprofit and is also a talented singer (Check out her website here: http://www.jamihoward.webs.com/). She is a huge fan of Broadway (especially the show "Next to Normal") and is very involved with the progressive Christian movement. Jami and I have had fun times at coffee and cupcake shops. She's a lovely person and good friend. Enjoy meeting Jami!


Who Are You?
A lover, a creative creator of creations, an artist of sorts, a hugger, a listener, and an embracer of change.

What do you believe in?
I believe in a God that loves all people. I believe that one day my life story will be a musical on Broadway. I believe that staying a child at heart is a lot more exciting than shutting out all the fun in the world.

What kind of change do you want to see? Where do you see yourself fitting into your idea for change?
The "good" kind of change, is what I hope to see. I hope to see a change in peoples opinions towards many things, but like everything it'll take time--but I think we are definitely moving in the right direction. I see myself supporting change and supporting my friends that are activists in changing this world. They are much braver than I, and I applaud and deeply respect them.


If your life had a soundtrack what would be on it?
This is a tough question for me, as my iPod is currently the soundtrack of my life and has way too many songs/artists to name. But, I WILL say that there would definitely be Jon Brion, Eric Whitacre, Stephen Sondheim, Lady Gaga, and Joni Mitchell.

If you could be doing anything with your life right now what would it be?
Well I've always wanted to live in NYC, and I'm doing that now. I've also always wanted to work towards bettering the community I live in, and I'm currently working with a non-profit here that is doing just that. Next on my list of what I want to do with my life is to entertain. Whether through playing guitar, singing, writing, poetry, creating...whatever it is, I know someday it'll happen--at just the right moment. While that moment isn't "now", I'm enjoying the wait.

I Can't Live Without...
Chapstick, Coffee, Incense, My iPod, My home family, and My beautiful NYC family.

What are you craving right now?
Right now I am craving Pad Thai...even though I may or may not (but probably may) have had it already today for lunch. Story of my life.

Talk about a piece or art, performing arts, music or writing that changed your life...
Mary Martin in Peter Pan. I watched it as a child and knew that I wanted to pursue the arts...and also that I'm a belter.

What motivates you to do what you do?
Working in non-profit is tough--but I believe in working toward a greater community. Not just volunteering for one day and saying "wow, I made such a big impact", but instead working year round and knowing that I'm making a difference, but it's almost a dent of a difference. This is something that I'm okay with, because I have such a huge heart for the organization that I work with, and with our partnered volunteer sites around the city that are bettering our city, one day at a time.

If you were best friends with any historical figure who would it be and why?
Oh wow, definitely Rosie Monroe, aka the woman from the ever classic Norman Rockwell painting of Rosie the Riveter "We Can Do It!" She was a hardcore/fierce lady and I would have loved to have known her and know more about her.

If you were a character in your favorite fictional storyline (this could include a book, play, film, television series etc.) what would it be? How would your character be intertwined within the story line that already exists?
I would have to say, Jo March from Little Women. Not only did I play this role on stage but I completely embodied the character, because of our ridiculous similarities. Just as Jo was busy writing away about things in her life, mixed with a little bit of fiction...whilst dealing with heavy things in real life...I completely relate. I often wish that I had an abandoned attic to run up to, to escape and create.

Talk about a defining moment of your life. What happened? What did you take away from it?
Moving to NYC. Hands down. I've wanted to live here since I can remember. Before I even really new what New York was--I just knew they had theatre, and that's where I wanted to be. I never would've imagined that I'd be living here. Sometimes walking back to my apartment, groceries in hand, I still can't believe that this is where my home is now. So I suppose that answers the question. It's still happening and I still learn something new every day--I couldn't be happier and couldn't be more sure that this is where I'm supposed to be.

Who is/are your hero(es)?
I don't have any specific heroes, but I do have my own idea of what a hero is. I see a hero as being honest, invested in the community, working towards a better tomorrow, a big heart, and loving of all. Some of the people that might fit this category would be my family and friends, anyone who stands up for what they believe in, various Broadway actors/actresses, Mother Theresa, Harvey Milk, Martin Luther King Jr...this list could really go on and on.

Create a mandatory reading list for the world.
in no particular order...
Letters to a Young Artist - by Anna Deavere Smith
The B.F.G. - by Roald Daul
Hope For the Flowers - by Trina Paulus
Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller


See more of Jami's pictures, here: http://www.photoblog.com/ashleymarinaccio/2010/11/08/