Member Spotlight:  Jacob Jabkiewicz

Jacob Jabkiewicz has been part of Center Stage Jackson for decades, and his story really reflects what this community looks like over time.

Jacob is someone the community may recognize from the stage, having performed in productions like Oliver, Joseph, The Addams Family, 1776, Shrek, The Music Man, and Hello, Dolly!. But his presence with CSJ stretches beyond performance – he’s also welcomed audiences as an usher and lent his voice as a featured reader in the Old-Time Radio Show. It’s the kind of involvement that feels less like participation and more like belonging.

Jacob’s theatre story reaches back to 1988, long before CSJ existed in its current form. At just 11 years old, he stepped onto the Baughman stage in Oliver with Jackson Civic Theatre – one of the organizations that would eventually merge to become Center Stage Jackson. Cast as one of Fagin’s pickpockets, he was surrounded by a creative team and fellow performers who made a lasting impression. He describes the experience simply, but powerfully: life changing.

And like any seasoned theatre person, his memories aren’t just meaningful – they’re also a little chaotic in the best way. One moment that still stands out happened during Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in 1994. In the middle of a live performance, after a quick costume change, Jacob rushed onstage only to realize – mid-dance – that his pants were unzipped, with his belt flopping freely for the audience to see. The laughter made sense… eventually.

There’s a clear affection in the way he talks about The Music Man, where he performed as part of the barbershop quartet in 2018. It’s one of his favorite shows, and not just because he was in it – it’s a musical that, to him, somehow echoes the spirit of Jackson itself. That connection deepened even more when he saw Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster bring it to life on Broadway in 2022.

Outside of theatre, Jacob brings that same layered perspective into his everyday life. He’s a fifth-grade teacher with a background in architecture – a combination that feels fitting for someone who understands both structure and creativity. And at 48, he says he’s still “figuring it out,” which might be the most relatable answer of all.

Looking ahead, his dream role might surprise people: Mr. Hart in Nine to Five. Not because it’s heroic or heartfelt – but because it would be fun. The kind of role where you get to fully lean into a character and enjoy every second of it. After seeing Robert Newman take on the role at the Barn Theatre, Jacob knows it’s something he could bring to life in his own way.

When asked what community theatre means to him, his answer is simple: acceptance and hope.

And in a space like Center Stage Jackson, that might be exactly what keeps people coming back – year after year, show after show, story after story. Thanks for sharing your story with us, Jacob!