"Be True to Your Own Artistry And No One Else’s" - Chatting with Sydney Jones!

It is my honor to introduce you to a very talented young performer in Sydney Jones. Sydney will be starring as Sandy in Grease at The Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Sydney currently attends The University of Oklahoma where she is studying Musical Theatre. During her time in Oklahoma, she has performed in Spring Awakening, Songs For A New World, Legally Blonde, and Into the Woods. She has also performed in the Teen Chorus of Jersey Boys, Footloose, and Matilda at The Muny as well as in South Pacific (Liat) at Stages St. Louis.

Sydney is a beautiful and talented young actress who is only beginning, and I am so excited to see what the future has in store for her! I am so happy to have the chance to feature her!

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer? 

I performed in my first musical when I was seven years old, and I’ve been doing musical theatre ever since — so, I guess that’s when I knew that I wanted to be a performer! I was an orphan in the youth ensemble of Annie at the Muny in St. Louis. I don’t necessarily remember making a conscious decision that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I think I just found my passion for musical theatre at a young age, and it stuck with me.

Are there any teachers or mentors in your life (past or present) who have truly help you become the amazing performer you are today?

Michael Baxter, the Artistic Associate at the Muny, has been a very important mentor to me. He always pushed me to do my best as a dancer, and he supported me in all of my theatrical endeavors. My voice teachers also greatly impacted my life and hold a special place in my heart. I am especially grateful for Lisa Casciola and Dr. Jeffrey Carter, both of whom helped me discover my vocal abilities before going to college. At the University of Oklahoma, Mandy Jiran has helped me continue to grow and strengthen my voice. These are only a few of the people who have helped shape me into the performer I am today, but I am grateful for all of the mentors and teachers in my life.

 Congratulations on being cast as Sandy in Grease at The Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. What can you say you are most excited about? 

Thank you! I’m excited about so many things, but I would have to say that I’m most excited to sing “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” This song is so iconic and has always been one of my favorites to belt out in the car with my mom. I can’t wait to make it my own and perform it for a real audience!

Are there any roles, shows, or moments in your career that stick out and will always be near and dear to your heart?

In high school, I got to play Janet van de Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone. It was my first role that I really got to play around and have fun with, especially when I sang “Show Off.” It was such a fun show to be a part of, and original cast member Danny Burstein sent my cast the nicest video for our opening night! It was incredibly sweet of him, and it made us high school theatre kids very happy.

What advice would you give any young aspiring artists?

The biggest piece of advice that I would give to any young aspiring artist is to be true to your own artistry and no one else’s. I believe that it’s important to find inspiration from other artists, but at the end of the day, you are the only one who does what you do. I spent so much of my life trying to be just like other singers, dancers, and actors I knew, so I understand that it’s easier said than done. Lately, however, I’ve been learning to appreciate and improve my own unique talents instead of trying to change them. It’s a challenge, and I’m still working on it, but it has changed the way I view the arts and it’s refueled my passion for theatre.

Grease will be running from June 15th to the 27th at The Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. For more information please visit - https://lyrictheatreokc.com