Jeremy Skidmore has kept busy honing his theatrical and musical talents since adolescence. The actor, singer and musician credits God and his family for helping him pursue his creative endeavors, and he delights in teaching new generations how to follow in his footsteps.
Only in the theater world can you be Shrek, Sweeney Todd, the Mad Hatter and Lord Pinkleton from “Cinderella” over the course of your lifetime.
Thespian and musician Jeremy Skidmore has played many roles over the years in theater productions around the east metro Atlanta area. He has performed in Newton, Rockdale and Morgan counties, at Stone Mountain Park and at the Legacy Theatre near Atlanta.
“I really didn’t get into drama until high school, when a friend told me to be in a musical. It wasn’t the best quality, but I had a blast,” said Skidmore, who grew up in Gray and later graduated from Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville. That play was “The Robber Bridegroom.” Later, he performed in roles from “Titanic,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Cinderella” and “Newsies.” His performances through the years occurred in both educational and professional settings.
Skidmore recalls that one of his favorite professional roles was playing the part of Cogsworth in “Beauty and the Beast” at the Legacy Theatre in Tyrone. However, he admits playing Shrek at the Madison Community Theater alongside his wife, Mary- Katherine, who starred as Fiona while pregnant with one of their kids, was one of his all-time favorite and most memorable roles.
“I really didn’t get into drama until high school, when a friend told me to be in a musical. It wasn’t the best quality, but I had a blast.”
Jeremy Skidmore
“It was right in my range, and I enjoyed the vastness of the character,” said Skidmore, who prefers to play more comedic roles in productions. He also has a preference for shows that tell good stories. “I was pleasantly surprised to play Uncle Max in ‘The Sound of Music.’ It was a role I never thought how fun the character could be.”
After studying music education and vocal performance in college, he continued his education in professional theater skills by joining the Actors, Models & Talent for Christ program. He heard it advertised one day on The Fish Atlanta radio station. He was soon offered his first professional role in 2015.
“If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be able to act professionally and know the business side of it,” said Skidmore, who credits his family for helping him establish himself with the organization. “I attended training conferences and got set up with a headshot. They told me how to build a professional resume, how to look and how to go to auditions.”
In addition to learning lines and performing as various characters, Skidmore has incorporated special skills such as speaking with British and Southern accents. He has honored his musical training by playing guitar and piano in some of his roles and has performed trumpet sounds with his mouth and conducted musical ensembles. He has also provided private vocal coach lessons and performed in theater, film and educational positions. Beyond his theatrical pursuits, Skidmore is an experienced music teacher. He first expanded into teaching during a mission trip to Ghana, where he learned music in their local language and then had to teach it. During the course of his career, he has taught students at various school levels and positions in Newton, Morgan and Putnam counties. He has been nominated twice as a Top 5 “Teacher of the Year” and placed as a finalist.
Outside of theater and teaching, Skidmore enjoys serving on the praise and worship team at Eastridge Church. He has grown up singing and acting in church productions since he was a young child and previously was a minister of music at Westview Baptist Church in Milledgeville.
“He’s got a strong voice and has kept it up over the years,” said Scott England, an associate pastor and the creative arts pastor at Eastridge. “I can always count on him to know the harmonies and fine harmonies, but what I love most about him is that he’s authentic, has a good attitude and is always willing to serve.”
England notes that although Skidmore comes from a theatrical background and has a stage voice, he has proven disciplined enough not to be showy or distract from highlighting Christ in their worship music.
“There’s always an element of performance,” said England, who has worked with Skidmore for nearly 10 years, “but there’s also an element to get yourself out of the way so you can just see Jesus.”
Click here to read more stories by Michelle Floyd.
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