Kyle native Clayton Jones recently starred as Huck Finn in a Texas A&M performance of the musical “Big River.” Jones is headed to New York City to study acting at the prestigious Circle in the Square Theatre School. (Courtesy photo)
by JEN BIUNDO
For all of his 23 years, Clayton Jones has done the responsible thing. He finished up high school, went to college on a full scholarship, and graduated debt-free four years later with a degree in architecture.
Now, he’s ready to follow his dreams.
Last weekend, the Kyle native hopped a plane to New York City, where he’s been accepted to the prestigious Circle in the Square Theatre School, connected to the Gershwin Theater at Broadway and 51st St.
Over the course of the two year program, Jones will study Broadway-style musical theater, including standard acting and music classes, along with courses like “clowning improvisation” and “stage combat.”
“In college, I had to do my studies and what time I had left over was dedicated to theater,” Jones said. “I’m really excited about being able to make theater my focus now.”
Jones’s career in entertainment started with Hays High School choir director Nancy Cavendish urging him to audition.
“The prospect of all these senior girls in the varsity choir and being the only freshman boy was a pretty good selling point,” Jones said.
During his high school years, he performed in “Calamity Jane” and “The Wizard of Oz” and got the lead role in “Oklahoma.” Acting was the highlight of his high school experience, but it didn’t seem feasible as a career.
After graduating in 2006, Jones headed to College Station, where he had a full scholarship to Texas A&M. Without having to work to pay off his tuition, he had plenty of time to devote to theater.
Jones was cast in six productions through college, but acting remained a side hobby for him.
Things changed when he attended a workshop with well-known Broadway casting director David Clemmons, who sent Jones information about theater conservatories in New York.
“That was a really big connection to make,” Jones said of Clemmons. “That was the first time I started really considering it as a possibility.”
Raised Christian, Jones spent some time soul-searching to make sure he wasn’t being swayed by the idea of fame or glory that comes to successful actors.
“It was a really hard justification process for me, and I wanted to make sure my motives weren’t off,” Jones said. “I did a lot of thinking and praying about it and came to the conclusion that part of being human is telling stories. Jesus in the Bible teaches through stories. I really don’t think there’s anything richer than a live storytelling.”
With the exception of a four-month study abroad stint in Barcelona, Jones has called just two places home: Kyle and College Station. Like so many other small town boys headed to the big city, he’s excited to live in the cosmopolitan New York, where he’ll share an apartment on the Upper East Side with two friends from UT.
Jones says he’s okay with the concept that a career on Broadway may not pan out, though he does hope to make a life as a professional working actor, whether it’s in a big New York production or a smaller theater group closer to home. He’s also interested in putting his architecture degree to use doing set design work.
“I just feel so blessed that I have the opportunity to chase a dream,” Jones said. “It doesn’t pan out that way for a lot of people.”
