Meet Javar La’trail Parker | Actor/Musician/Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Javar La’trail Parker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Javar La’trail, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In two words…the pandemic. My husband and I moved back to the United States, from London, in January 2020 with little knowledge of what was about to happen in the world. The first couple months of that year were supposed to be spent with an ailing mother-in-law in Virginia Beach, VA, while we plotted our next move; We quickly realized that a couple months was going to be a lot longer. Being a professional actor and educator, there’s not often a lot of money stockpiled away. Not to mention, I was going stir crazy.

With the entertainment industry basically shut down, I knew there were other performers out there, like me, that still wanted to train and stay ready for when the industry would return. I was also aware of the growing number of students, particularly in musical theatre, that would still be looking to train for the next level. I researched other coaching services and quickly realized that I could do what they did at a more affordable price point and with a more personal touch. I knew there were students out there from underserved communities, like where I grew up, that would never be able to afford those coaching services like their wealthier counterparts. I knew then that would be my mission: quality training and coaching at an accessible price. That’s when I decided to create JP Audition Coaching Services. I would rely on my educational background in theatre/musical theatre, professional success, and experience as a music educator to provide a coaching experience that would service the needs of the whole performer.

I have since encompassed JP Audition Services under the umbrella of my parent company, TwylaAngel Entertainment LLC. Audition coaching still remains a service that I offer. However, I needed a larger umbrella to reflect the work that I do in the entertainment industry. That work now includes: voiceover, film scoring and composition, vocal arranging, and more. This is all in addition to the work I still do as a singer, songwriter, and actor.

What was born out of the necessity of survival, both financially and creatively, has allowed me to stretch my wings, as an entrepreneur. Could I have more work? Of course! There is always more to be done, but I am so grateful to be able to have the control to choose the projects that best reflect who I am and what I want reflected in the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Music has always been a passion of mine from a young age. I started teaching myself piano at 6 by imitating what I heard at church on Sundays at home on a small Casio Keyboard. I’ve always been singing. My mother was a dancer and encouraged us to move. My mother would enter me into singing showcases and competitions and I felt at home. However, it wasn’t until I did “Schoolhouse Rock Live, The Musical” in 9th grade that I discovered my life’s purpose. Musical theatre combined my three passions of singing, acting, and dancing. It just clicked inside of me.

Coming out of high school, I was fortunate enough to book my first professional theatre contract at 17 years old. Also, I got accepted to Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music for Music theatre. It is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top music theatre programs. I was fortunate enough to be accepted in a class of only 12 students.

Like many young actors’ stories, there were ups and downs out of college. I would book enough work to work half a year and then a day job the other half. My time living in NYC was filled with many close calls for various Broadway shows. It was hard not to discouraged when you can feel success is so close. I took a mini-hiatus of 2 years from performing to pursue my masters degree in music education, only booking 1 contract during that time.

My break in my career would come shortly after graduating from grad school and moving to London, England. My husband relocated to the UK for his career and it was the best move of my life. I auditioned non-stop my first 9-10 months in the UK for many West End Shows. For one particular show, I had as many as 15 callbacks before being told they were going with another actor. I was warned that being an American actor in the UK would be tough. They tend to be loyal to their own first and wary of outsiders. I stayed persistent, though.

I was long-term substitute teaching music at a West London high school when I received an audition from my agents about a revival of the musical, SHOWBOAT. The audition took place in the middle of the school day. I literally asked another teacher to cover my class and lunch duties while I hopped on the “tube” and raced to this audition. Frantically, I go in to this audition to be met by Daniel Evans (who I would later find out is a Tony award-winning actor). The audition was a blur. I couldn’t tell if he was impressed or not. Three hours later, I would receive a phone call that I had booked my first West End show.

That show would set off a 3+ year period of non-stop working. I would go on to play Benny in the 20 year anniversary tour of RENT, Rusty Charlie in the UK’s first all-black production of GUYS AND DOLLS, and land back on the West End with the Olivier-winning production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.

My career has taken me so many places. I have now ventured into tv/film, composing, vocal arranger, and creating my own content. The biggest lesson that I have learned through it all is the power of “no”. I learned that everything isn’t worth my time and energy. In this career, there are people that will want you to. go so many directions. I’ve had to learn what it is I value and what lifestyle I want to pursue. I have sacrificed so much time with family and friends for my career (and some of it was necessary). Now, I am to the point where I ask myself is this worth my time away from my family and will this fulfill me. When the answer is “yes”, I go full-speed ahead. But if the answer is “no”, I don’t lose sleep because I know there is something more appropriate for me coming soon.

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?
If I have a friend in town, here are some of my favorites places to show off around town. I love taking friends and family to show the rich history of the city. One of my favorite places to go to is the Civil Rights History Museum and then maybe hop next door to the Coca-Cola Museum to try all the different flavors of Coke products from all over the world. Another favorite destination would be to travel over to the King Memorial Center to pay homage to Dr. Martin Luther King.

We would take in lunch over at Krog Street Market, maybe at Fred’s Meat and Bread with their delicious sandwiches and hand-cut pommes frites. After indulging at Krog Street, a stroll down The Beltline is the perfect way to work off lunch and showoff Piedmont Park.

For dinner, we might head to get some amazing Southern cuisine at Twisted Soul or Mary Mac Tea Room. If it’s a really special occasion, we could take in the French cuisine of Little Sparrow or the Michelin-rated Bacchanalia.

For some evening activities, I love taking in an Atlanta United match at Mercedez-Benz. Atlanta also has a great theatre scene. One of the more underrated theatres in Atlanta is Dad’s Garage Improv Theatre. They have some of the best improv theatre in the Southeast, but also great scripted shows too!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are way too many people to shoutout for the journey that has been my life. First and foremost, I have to shoutout to my mother, Darlene Parker, who passed away unexpectedly in 2022. She was often confused by the things that interested me growing up, but she never stopped me from pursuing anything that I wanted.

My life changed the moment I set foot on a stage in a musical for the first time in 9th grade. I really had no idea what a musical was before then. It was the persistence of my then choir teacher now turned colleague and friend, Brian Nabors, that got me onto a stage for the first time. I think I turned him down 3 or 4 times before saying, “yes”. Who knew a simple “yes” would turn into a 20-year career as a professional actor?

Last, I must shoutout my husband, Aaron Smith. He has literally watched the highs and lows of 14 of those 20 years. Having a partner that works in the entertainment industry is an adjustment for most. It is not a traditional lifestyle. Benefits? What benefits? He has continuously supported me and allowed me the space and time to figure it all out. Love, space, and time is all that I ever asked for from him. Oh yeah…and belief.

Website: https://linktr.ee/javarparker

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jlptyger

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/javarparkermusic