Meet Jacole Kitchen | Director, Producer, Casting Director, Arts Administrator and Community Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacole Kitchen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacole, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking is essential. Taking calculated risks has been a key to the success. Without risk, you are limiting yourself of possibility. I took a considerable risk to leave the comfort and security of teaching full time to take a position as an hourly assistant at a talent agency. Less than a year later, I was a full fledged agent. I took a similar risk when I left the agency and pursued a position in the artistic department of San Diego Repertory Theatre. Regardless of the risk level, it was worth it to me to pursue my own happiness.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love what I do and I feel extremely blessed that I make a living working in a creative space. I think what sets my work apart from others is that I’ve had the opportunity to gain expertise in so many aspects of the industry. Starting out as a talent representative and then moving into the creative sector as a casting director, producer, director and educator has given me a wholistic view of the industry that not a lot of people have. Was it easy? I want to say yes, but I can’t deny the amount of work and tireless hours that it’s taken to get here. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been 100% worth it, and most of the time it’s been a lot of fun.
I have gotten to where I am today professionally by saying “yes”. I have always had the ability to recognize an opportunity when one is presented to me. And I’ve also began to learn which projects are best to respectfully decline. I’ve learned to be discerning about projects – which ones will serve well me in the advancement of my career, and which ones pose too great of a risk to deplete me of my energy in an unhealthy way. I have learned to choose wisely. My first instinct will always be to say yes, but sometimes there is a great relief in saying no.
The main thing that I would want the world to know about my brand and my story is that I am wildly passionate about the work that I do, I will always show up authentically and speak with diplomacy. People know they can trust me and take me at my word, and that can be invaluable in this business. I am here for the good of the industry as well as the individual.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, this is a fun one! It is after alol, America’s Finest City.
For art and culture, we would of course check out whatever critically acclaimed play at La Jolla Playhouse or at one of the other dozens of critically acclaimed theatres in San Diego. We’d definitely hit up Neo-soul Tuesday at the Phantom Lounge and Soul-Sunday at The Quartyard. We’d also catch a show at the Symphony’s Rady Shell at Jacob’s Park, and as we exit the venue would be serenaded by Joe Dreamz standing on a rehearsal block and blasting his music through a bluetooth speaker.
We’ll spend a day paddle boarding on Mission Bay and paddle over to Barefoot Bar and Grill for brunch, or at Kellogg Beach near Shelter Island where we could paddle over to Mitch’s Seafood for tacos and a beer and then lounge on the beach as a reward for our nautical adventure. On land, we would do the six mile walk around Lake Murray or hike one of the many trails around Balboa Park.
For good eats, fancy drinks and a stunning sunset, dinner Coastera, Nolita Hall or the Brigantine at the Harbor is a must. And you can’t come to San Diego without experiencing a taco shop burrito the size of your face.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are two people who came immediately to mind. Victoria Morris and Jaime Castañeda.
Victoria was a powerhouse theatre agent in LA who took a chance on me. I had no real world experience in the entertainment industry, but I had a degree in theatre, and I came highly recommended by a trusted mutual friend. She offered me the job as her assistant, and I quit my teaching job just three weeks shy of receiving my Masters Degree in Education.
Jaime Castañeda gave me my first assistant directing position at La Jolla Playhouse. We didn’t know each other well, but had become acquainted through a social group that was created for leaders of color in the San Diego theatre community. I still don’t know what made him reach out with that first opportunity, but one AD job led to two, and that ultimately led to a full time position at La Jolla Playhouse, which has sent me on a course in my career that I never dared to dream of.
I would also be remise if I didn’t shout out all of my family and friends who have supported me in a myriad of ways along this journey. It really does take a village to raise an artist.

Website: https://jacolekitchen.com

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Image Credits
Jenna Jo Photography
Dig That Photography
Daren Scott
Jamie Lytle