Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Brynn Cohen.
Hi Jessica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been a performer practically my entire life, but my first time acting on stage was when I was seven, after just having moved to Austin from the East Coast. I was a munchkin/flying monkey in a local production of “The Wizard of Oz,” and from there, I just kept going. Through the love and support of my amazing parents, I started taking voice, dance, and piano lessons, and since I was homeschooled, I had a lot of time to pursue my passions. I also developed a love of reading and writing, and when I was offstage you could often find me scribbling short stories and plays in a notebook or on my dad’s phone. When I was around twelve, I signed with a local agency, Collier Talent, and started acting in short films along with musicals and plays. I also got the chance to go to New York City, where I was born and where much of my family lived several times, and participate in various performances and workshops, which taught me so much about being an artist and the hard work it entails. Meanwhile I developed a passion for playing the ukulele as well as the piano, performing at various open mics and even as a guest at a concert in NYC. Flash-forward to early 2020, when I was 14, a pivotal time in my life when I booked my first feature film, Apollo 10 1/2, directed by Richard Linklater, and did my first solo music performance playing and singing with my ukulele and piano––all covers. Flash-forward again to the early months of the pandemic, where––despite the hardships and fear that came with it––I had the time to explore more of the music and writing aspect, eventually merging the two when I began taking songwriting lessons. After that, it was like a lightbulb had switched on. I loved listening to music, especially showtunes, and I loved telling stories, so why not combine the two? Before then I had written one or two songs, but it wasn’t until late 2020 when I started writing songs regularly. It brought me so much joy, and the feeling of writing and finishing a song greatly fulfilled me. I started working on a musical, and in 2021 I released my first single, “Rubble”, to all streaming platforms. Finally, fast-forward to today, where I have done several solo shows, consisting of several originals. I’m also currently working on a Young Adult novel, as well as writing screenplays. I have also learned some new things these past few years, such as video editing. I’m so grateful to my parents and everyone who has given me the resources to discover and develop my creative passions. It has been a really interesting journey.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As someone in the creative field, there is so much rejection. I have certainly struggled with my share of self-esteem issues, as well as some of the experiences that come with being a homeschooled only child who’s never felt like they fully fit in with the people and world around them (shameless self-promotion to my most recent single “Only Child”! Sorry, I had to do it.) I can guarantee that nearly everyone in the arts compares themselves to others who appear to be more successful in their careers and ambitions, and I am no exception. In addition, being a creative person can be very draining. You take a piece of yourself, a vulnerable part of yourself, and show it to the world with every original song you play, with every scene you act in, with every word you write. It’s a beautiful thing, but it’s also scary.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I do a variety of artistic things, including acting, filmmaking, writing, songwriting, screenwriting, playing music, and, more recently, video editing. Out of all of those, I have been passionate about acting and music the longest, which is why I have always been drawn to musical theater. I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in many shows in Austin over the years, and I’ve seen how wonderful and kind the theater community here is. As I continue to pursue my passions, I will always be grateful to the art of musical theater for giving me the chance to discover my passion for performing and being part of a creative community. In the future, I hope to develop more of my own personal projects, such as finishing the musical and novel I am working on, and eventually publishing an album…or, perhaps more realistically, an EP first. We’ll see. I want to continue releasing singles, as I love sharing my music and, more generally, my original work with anyone who wants to listen.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I love working with fellow creative people! If you want to collaborate on something, whether a song or a film or whatever it is, you can reach out to me at my Instagram, @jessa.cohen, or my email, Jessica.b.cohen@icloud.com. As for supporting me, I’d love to see you at one of my music shows! Every fourth Sunday of the month I perform a two-hour set at The Thicket Food Truck Park in South Austin, consisting of covers and originals. I’ve also performed at Brentwood Social House a handful of times, and I’m hoping to play at even more venues. It’s so much fun. I also love supporting fellow creative people, so please reach out if you think we could help each other with a project or anything.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessa.cohen/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-brynn-cohen-3b8bb5276/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jessicabcohen1997/videos
- Other: https://linktr.ee/jessicabrynncohen
Image Credits
Amy Steinman Cohen
Dave Inman
