Dedication devotion drive and durability form the indispensable characteristics essential to performance art. Jason Chanos’ distinguished artistry is demonstrated through the voluminous years spent rigorously evolving his knack. A resume chock-full of theatrical performance Chanos now brings this proficiency to Pepperdine. He’s changing his focus to his students and manifesting their talent.
Chanos was raised in Parker Colo. a small city outside of Denver. He started acting in junior high after his mother urged him toward the creative outlet. His first play was “I Remember Mama in which Chanos played Uncle Chris. Chanos recalls having fun wearing a moustache and carrying a cane.
After junior high, Chanos relaxed on acting and turned his focus to sports for the first two years of high school. He ran track and field, as well as the 100, 200 and 400 meter sprints. Chanos also did high hurdles, threw shot put, and was on the state champion varsity soccer team in high school.
Chanos spent the last two years of high school excited about acting. He was cast as Biff in Death of a Salesman.” This is when the acting bug bit. The play’s heavy subject matter was difficult for a high school drama course. Nevertheless the experience shaped Chanos’ life. He had a diligent teacher helping him every step of the way and received praise for his role.
By the end of his senior year Chanos knew he wanted to make acting his career.
“I’ve lived like a gypsy for the most part says Chanos about the roles he selects. I choose roles that will change me and the audience after it.”
Innovating characters that will revolutionize an audience are scarce. Acting is an industry overflowing with performers frantic for work and desperate for exposure. Eager for success actors face a compromising dilemma sacrifice their dignity or starve. An artist can work or be righteous rarely both. The Colorado native is empathic to the challenges of the industry.
The past five years have brought Chanos success challenge and great stride with his passionate career. He was in the play “Bus Stop which was nominated best play of the year in Los Angeles. He described his performance at Boston Court as an eye-opening experience. Chanos has learned a lot from his performances, but Chanos’ one man show, Fully Committed challenged him to be a more versatile actor. In his one man show Chanos plays 32 characters.
To say his students are lucky . . . is an understatement said Kristin Graves, Chanos’ sister-in-law. He’ll be able to teach by example give positive feedback he has patience experience and because of his age he’ll be more relatable to his students.”
Chanos moved out to Los Angles three years ago and has kept busy with his pursuit of acting. After learning that Pepperdine has a strong theater program he sent in his resume. This is his first semester teaching at Pepperdine and he has high hopes of having a great year.
Chanos is teaching Beginning Theater Shakespeare Movement and Advance Movement.
His goals center around teaching with a focus on having a keen understanding of the business. He is devoted to helping his seniors be prepared to get jobs right after graduation and help freshman auditions be strong.
Chanos will be in the play “Who is Afraid of Virginia Wolf a highlight of his career working with Emmy winner Joe Spano. The Rubicon, in Ventura, will begin running the show in January 2009.