Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Stell.
Hi Jack, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I arrived in Nashville 15 years ago, living in my truck, sleeping in parking lots. Within 48 hours of arriving in town I had a job at 3 Crow Bar in the 5 Points. I spent the next 10 years bartending and playing music in town, like every boy in his 20s.
In 2018, I started taking improv classes at Third Coast Comedy and fell in love with the community and was exposed to a mesmerizing world of local art. Third Coast opened me up to writing, directing, and producing. In 2021, I met my magical producing partner Haley Johnson, and we produced our first show, “Taylor Swiftprov”. We produced four of those shows to a receptive and excited audience. We then put together the first Bubblegum Variety Show, a stage where incredibly talented people could explore their non-dominant art forms and obsessions that had to be on stage. Bubblegum has grown drastically over the last five years and has morphed into a non-profit bringing local, original, and absurd art to Nashville.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s never a smooth road when you’re creating something new. It definitely took a few shows for us to get our feet under us and figure out exactly what we were doing. Not every show is going to be the best show. In the beginning, some shows were straight up not good, but we learned a lot every time. Starting this from the improv space was probably really good for us. We’re building sandcastles. We put together this really beautiful thing made from whatever we can find around us, and then the wave crashes and we start all over. Also, it was just earlier this year that either of us received any money from a show. For a long time, all of our talent was free, and we were actively losing money.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The organization spotlights new artists in the Nashville arts scene and specifically uplifts LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC performers. Bubblegum showcases braveand weird new acts including puppetry, stand-up comedy, presentations, poetry, music, scene readings, pageants, improv, sketch, and more. The majority of acts produced for Bubblegum are original pieces for the performance and debuts of a new project or idea.
In February 2026, Bubblegum produced an interactive experience at The Darkhorse Theater welcoming over 400 guests. Throughout the process of producing and creating Bubblegum’s House of Broken Hearts, 70+ interdisciplinary artists came together in some way to bring this show to fruition. From writers and dancers to projection artists and clowns, Bubblegum’s House of Broken Hearts brought together a community excited to make increadibly silly and beautiful art together.The way to reach Nashville audiences is to bring more unique and inspiring art to the stage.
In June of 2026 Bubblegum heald it’s 3rd annual Pride Show at the Darkhorse Theater, showcasing some of the most exciting LGBT+ artists and communities. . In conjunction, Bubblegum also hosted a Juneteenth/Pride Art Gallery on site, featuring seven local visual artists from across different mediums. We’ve been lucky enough to work with Unscripted, Kindling Arts, Butchroots615, Dare to Fail films and a ton of other inspiring organizations doing radical work in Nashville.
How do you define success?
I just want to get stuck in someone’s head. I want folks to see our shows and not be able to stop thinking about them. The art we present isn’t universal, but the heart behind it is. I want people to see something from a different perspective. Even if it’s just one person per show, I think that makes it a success.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bubblegumtheatercompany
- Other: https://www.nashvillescene.com/criticspicks/critics-pick-bubblegum-s-house-of-broken-hearts/article_97da2941-6d03-4968-8307-26e30b8e0414.html
Image Credits
Photos by Jack Stell and Dimestate Don
