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-{{ovation.company}}An Evening with Christopher Jackson: From Small Town to the Great White Way
Award-winning actor Christopher Jackson shares his remarkable journey from a small town in Illinois (population 3,000) to performing for a constantly packed house on Broadway. From school plays, to Off-Broadway productions, to starring as George Washington in the revolutionary, critically-acclaimed musical Hamilton, Jackson reveals the lessons learned along the way and the mantras, moments, and mentors that made a difference. Taking audiences behind the scenes of Broadway's biggest hit-- sharing everything from befriending Lin Manuel-Miranda back in 2002, to performing for President Barack Obama-- Jackson also reflects on the social impact of Hamilton, addressing issues of inclusion and race. A talk as riveting as it is thought-provoking, Jackson leaves audiences inspired and empowered (and maybe with a song or two stuck in their head).
The Power of Kindness: Living and Working with Children with Special Needs
When Christopher Jackson's son was first diagnosed with autism in 2007, he did not know what it meant or where to go. Since then, he has become a vocal and involved advocate for children with special needs, throwing himself into the work of organization's such as Autism Speaks, KultureCity, and Sesame Street's autism outreach program. In this moving and informative talk, Jackson shares the challenges and opportunities that come with working with children on the spectrum. He opens up about the "beautiful struggle" of raising his own son, as well as ways to create acceptance and inclusion for all people with unique abilities.
Christopher Jackson is a Tony Award nominated actor as well as a Grammy and Emmy Award winning songwriter/composer best known for starring as George Washington in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s critically acclaimed, award-winning musical, Hamilton. Mr. Jackson's Broadway credits include Todd Kreidler’s Tupac Shakur musical Holler if Ya Hear Me, After Midnight, The Bronx Bombers (Derek Jeter), Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights (Benny), Memphis (Delray Farrell) and Elton John’s The Lion King (Simba). Off Broadway includes Bronx Bombers (Primary Stages), The Jammer (Atlantic Theater Co.), Lonely, I’m Not (Second Stage), In the Heights (37 Arts), and Cotton Club Parade (City Center’s Encores!).
Mr. Jackson can also currently be seen starring in the hit CBS drama "Bull" where he plays Chunk, a stylist who prepares defendants for trial. He also recorded an original song written by Lin-Manuel Miranda for the 2016 Disney film Moana.
In film and TV, he has most recently appeared in Ava DuVernay's Central Park 5 for Netflix, in addition to Freestyle Love Supreme (Pivot Network) Person of Interest, A Gifted Man, Fringe, Gossip Girl, Tracers, and Afterlife.
He was also the Composer/Songwriter for Sesame Street (6 Emmy nominations and 1 win), and co-Music Supervisor and Writer for The Electric Company (PBS).
Christopher won an Emmy Award for his song with Will.I.Am, “What I Am”. In 2010 he released his first solo album titled, IN THE NAME OF LOVE with Yellow Sound Lab Records and is currently working on his 2nd album. He also has several musical projects in development for the musical stage.