I wanted to have a way to share more about myself online. It’s why I created my blog over 5 years ago. Now, I’m in a new chapter of my life. No longer an actor that’s just moved to New York City. But now, I’m a mom, wife, actor, home-owner, pandemic survivor, etc. I’m learning so much about being an artist and a mom that I think the blog needs to make a comeback to even begin share it all, so here I go.
For those of you who don’t know me…
I’m an oldest child of 3 – I have 2 younger brothers. They are both also content creators! I changed my last name after getting married so we don’t have the same last name but interesting that we’re all online. I love being an oldest sister but I feel like being an oldest only daughter explains a lot about myself…
I was born in Chicago, IL but my family moved to Houston, TX when I was 6 months old and I’ve spent most of my life here. I went to college in central Illinois for Musical Theatre after auditioning for over 20 programs across the country. The school I attended was still 3 hours outside of Chicago but, still funny to be in Illinois for college. Almost everyone I met in college assumed I was born in Texas but I actually was born in a suburb outside of Chicago similarly to most of the demographic of people I went to school with…
I lived a short stint in NYC after college. I graduated in 2019 and moved to NYC in the summer… a lot has changed about the city since I moved away in early 2020. That’s where this blog really started. As a way to document my journey as a young actor in the big city. But it’s amazing how dreams change and expand. I’ve done so much since then that I still want to share!
I didn’t get started in the theatre until I was in high school. I actually was a competitive cheerleader from 5th grade to 10th grade when I realized that the stage was a more fitting place for me! The theatre was an obvious calling. I loved to sing and dance. And in my first theatre class in high school it all fell into place. I became heavily involved in the theatre department at my high school which inspired me to pursue it at the collegiate level.
The first Broadway show I ever saw was Waitress with Shoshanna Bean as Jenna. I saw it with my mom less than 2 months before I moved to the city and the show has always been so special to me. Jenna is a dream role I’ve always had, and especially now after becoming a mother. I now connect to the material in a way I didn’t before.
Did you know any of these things already?
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Thank you for being here. XOXO, Texas Jess
Jessica Tanner 
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