Check Out Jake Peluso-Harper’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Peluso-Harper.

Jake, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started acting when I was nine in little productions. My parents and I often bonded over the theatre arts which certainly contributed to my love of the art. I continued to work with my local children’s theatre and played a plethora of fun small roles in the Jr. performances.

I am so thankful for both of my parents for both introducing me and pushing me so hard to pursue acting. I would not be where I am today without them. Especially my mom who has not once stopped lifting me up when I’m down and always been ready to help me tackle my goals and crazy ideas. I love her and look up to her immensely.

Once I got to high school I kept with the school plays, landing myself the male lead in several of them. I graduated from Spring Hill high school and was so thankful to my teacher/director Mrs. Burns for working so hard on me with a program she truly loved.

I think my biggest decider for choosing acting as my career was Tennessee Governor School for the Arts. I tried for two years to get into the Theatre program, and on my second attempt, I actually managed to do so. The audition was pretty challenging, but well worth it. I’m met so many wonderful and talented young artists that were just as passionate as me. We went through everything together and even with the ups and downs, we stayed strong and became closer. I had never felt so accepted doing what I loved. The students and staff also encouraged me to aim for college, and after a whole month of a “college type” experience, I knew this was a world for me.

At the end of my senior year, I auditioned for several highly rated theatre colleges. Some rejected me but most said yes! I worked my butt off for months to get where I did, only to be handed a bill I could definitely not afford… from all of them. I suppose I spent too much time studying on the best programs and not enough time on the price of them. What sucks about auditioning for college is it happens so much later than other schools and their decisions. So while my peers at school were already accepted and set up for college, I was still awaiting my final results. I was so late in the process, I felt hopeless. But my friend recommended a school to me that might take me late: Southeast Missouri State University.

It was much more affordable, but not sacrificing quality of learning or experience AT ALL. They have a great program and wonderful events with the most welcoming staff. I had a call with the head of the Theatre department and set myself up for a late audition for their BFA acting program. I ended up getting accepted and though my goal is definitely to go, we’re not in a position to easily make college just- happen. So I am currently trying to work with them (and work my butt off some more) to make this dream a reality.

I want to pursue my career as an artist to create something greater than myself. I see myself as a visionary, an innovator, and a nonconformist and I want my art to reflect that.

I’ve been in 3 short films this year, one of which was “dread” (Josiah Winston and Finley Davis’s impressively powerful short film). We had crazy long filming times and even though I realized how much of film is just sitting around and preparing for your parts, I still want nothing more than to act in film and theatre for the rest of my life.

My time studying at the 4th Wall Acting Studio has certainly changed my work ethic and mindset to push me towards my goals and remain focused on what matters to me. We have a quote etched into the back wall that says, “You’re more likely to get struck by lightning than succeeding in this industry, so you better work your ASS off!!” I certainly take this quote to heart and remind myself that this dream doesn’t happen overnight, so I need to keep on working my butt off for this and bring this dream into fruition.

Acting has been the avenue for me to release my inner most thoughts and feelings. I cannot wait to see what the world has to offer, but more so, I’m excited to see what I can offer the world.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My parents separated in 2019 and it was a truly challenging time for my whole family, emotionally, mentally, and especially financially. I mean, when an almost middle-class family cuts in half, that makes, a one-fifth-class family? And I understand that divorce is nothing special and happens more often than not. But our situation was quite the mess—and to this day—remains a mess.

I felt the need to scream the word “no” at this pain, “no” to the cards I’ve been dealt, and “no” to the humans who have shown little humanity. This pushed me all the more to pursue my career in the Dramatic Arts further.

Once I got to high school I kept with theatre; I finally found myself on that stage and even during all the division from the divorce I felt seen by both of my parents. But the mess continued; more shifts in my life.

It was during the last semester of my sophomore year and I had all of my feelings bottled up. So, when my Theatre Arts class had its final student showcase one act, I knew this was my chance to not only let it out but show my dad how I felt through something we both understood. Theatre. My group talked about several different themes that we might develop in our play, but all of us settled on an underlying theme of parental choices affecting children. We all added in personal moments from our lives, but I especially focused on the father’s character progression and the main character’s struggles. It was a memory play that shot our main character Peyton back in time to relive her trauma and move on with her life.

I directed the whole thing, wrote a ton of it, built many props, created the lights and sound scripts for our tech to follow and played the father. The night of the show was stressful, but we were ready. It went very well, and once it was over, kids came out crying, adults came out reflecting, and my entire family was super sad, yet inherently proud. Everyone but my dad. He couldn’t make it. The play was written for the one who didn’t show. I was so upset until I realized that I affected so many people who needed to hear and see what I had to say. So many kids going through the same thing. That is when I realized this art is so deeply needed in our society, words need to be screamed, walls need to be broken, and I would want nothing more than to be a messenger of hope in this life.

My dad and I have since talked and worked on our relationship.

I also seriously struggled with procrastinating. I would never memorize my lines on time or work as hard as I should on my scripts. It took me till junior year to get a grip and do my part as an actor. remembering the fact that your fellow seen partners are counting on you to be prepared, and that if you’re not, you’re being selfish. If they put the work in and you didn’t, now you jeopardize THEIR performance, not just your own. My work ethic has certainly become better since that slap in the face, but it took a lot to get over that hurdle.

Now my latest challenge in my field is being able to afford higher education. In almost every field, one could easily say the school doesn’t matter, but the degree does. For me, it’s almost the opposite. Degrees are great, but a degree in acting wouldn’t matter if you can’t act or don’t know anyone. I learned, to get jobs, you’re gonna have to network. That’s why you would go to college for a pathway like this. Yes, to learn from industry professionals who love this as much as you, but also to network and meet other artists and professors who can help in both finding jobs for you and working on jobs with you.

I am currently working it out, and my school has been very supportive. But for now, it’s just a matter of working as much as possible to get closer to that goal!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an Actor.

I went to Governor’s School for the Arts for theatre and studied at The 4th Wall Acting Studio for 2 and a half years.

I am all about not judging my material and breaking down my work till theirs nothing left to break.

I love staged combat as well and have a ton of basic skills to utilize whenever necessary. I also love swords so much and have learned a lot of wonderful techniques and tricks for creating believable and entertaining choreography.

I also have a knack for improv finding much humor and focus while staying in the moment.

After my time at Governor’s School for the Arts, I have become very adamant about consent within my scenes and respecting my scene partner’s boundaries. I stress this concept with every role I play, and take the comfort of my scene partner(s) and crew very seriously.

I am also a writer, going from screen plays and poetry, all the way to music. Being a storyteller firstly is the most important aspect of being an artist to me.

I would say I am known for being professional and funny while on set and always going above and beyond to give respect to the creatives behind the work. Always trying to find times to keep it fun without ruining the work flow to keep the energy up.

I am very proud of my innovative approach to acting. Always ready to ready the script or play the part a million different ways.

I also love getting out of my comfort zone and trying new things. I’m always curious to see what does and doesn’t work.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I can cook really well. Not to toot my own horn, but when I get in the flow in the kitchen, possibilities are endless on what I am capable of.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeofalltrades_is_i?igsh=MnBwc2NoaG1jMXpr&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
SHE SHEE photography