Education
My mission as an educator is to awaken the hungry human spirits of those in need of artistic contact, particularly young people, with courage and empathy.
Black Teen Lives Matter
(November 2020-June 2021)
Since November 2020, I’ve been the director of Black Teens Lives Matter, an ongoing virtual project featuring monologues and short plays written by Black teens—many of whom I taught—in the EPIC (Empathic Playwriting Intensive Course) program from 2017-2020.
“We were gifted with a wonderful hour of authentic, important work. I loved every minute of it.”
“I loved that the students' voices were so essentially realized, and Jarrett and the actors did a beautiful job with the pieces.”
ONWARD (2020)
ONWARD gives young people the tools to respond creatively to the problems in our world. Through a series of honest discussions about injustice and collaborative creative exercises, we uncover the ways in which art is tied to unrest.
Collaborators
American Theater Co.
Auditorium Theater
Bravo Performing Arts Academy
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Court Theatre
Penfold Theatre
Silk Road Rising
St. Edward’s University
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
UNSILENCE
Vagabond School of the Arts
WITS Chicago
YMCA of Austin
“Jarrett was a joy to work with and so so fun to get to know! He was organized and understanding and flexible.”
“It was an amazing experience, not only because of what I learned but because Mr. King was an amazing teacher as well.”
“This was a great experience for my students to have self-expression and a voice. Mr. King was very personable and encouraging. No improvement needed.”
— Josephine Hatch-Skipper, Teacher, Turner-Drew Language Academy
“I thought that Jarrett did a great job overall. He was able to easily build trust with the students and they looked forward to him coming every week.”
— Audrey Bland-Hampton, Head of School, Ryan Banks Academy
“Mr. Jarrett was awesome. He was energetic, approachable, understanding, and dedicated. He worked really well with the students and was always flexible in accommodating the needs of each student.”
— Cherise Treadwell, Teacher, Crown Fine Arts Academy
“He was able to be calm, collected, and patient with the students. He did a wonderful job.”
— Adam Mogilevsky, Teacher, Ryan Banks Academy
“It was very fun to meet Mr. King! And it really helped me write stories better!”
— Student, Galileo Scholastic Academy
“Jarrett brings his passion and enthusiasm for the arts to the classroom, and he really cares about making sure that all kids succeed. I can tell, through his individualized attention to each student, that he truly values their ideas.”
— Diana Zurawski, Teacher, Galileo Scholastic Academy
