Today we’d like to introduce you to Richie Cook
Hi Richie, 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?
Hi Jessica. I started performing in local theatre at a very young age and those experiences have shaped most of my professional aspirations. I’ve always felt at home creating roles and telling stories on stage.
I grew up in middle Georgia on a farm and I started performing in local theatre productions at an early age and all through high school. There have been very few months in my life when I wasn’t involved in some kind of amateur or professional theatrical project. Early on in my career, I started singing with a number of established artists which led me to my work in cruise ship entertainment.
I earned an MFA in Performing Arts at SCAD in 2009 and began a teaching career here in Savannah for 13 years, all the while working on local projects as much as I could. Just last year, I decided to get back into the entertainment industry full time and it’s been a non-stop whirlwind of people, places, and productions ever since. I am currently a guest entertainer for Royal Caribbean Cruises performing in an exciting Four Seasons tribute band called Oh What A Night! Think Jersey Boys without all the drama just the hits! I feel so fortunate to get to perform all over the world with a very talented cast.
When I’m home here in Savannah, I alongside my best friend and colleague Maggie Lee Hart, run an acting studio called Hart-Cook Studios, located in the Starland District. We prep students for auditions, public speaking engagements, interviews, and help the most devoted acting students learn how to develop characters and free their voices and bodies for clear communication.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been an easy road? Of course not! But if it had, I wouldn’t have learned anything! I think any time someone tries to make their creative passions become lucrative it’s a struggle. But here are two things that I can elaborate on that keeps me going in my chosen field. First off, creative people can be consumed with self doubt that can really sabotage even the biggest steps forward. When that happens to me, I have to allow that doubt to be heard and acknowledged in a healthy way. I try to understand that that inner voice is there to help me analyze where I am and where I want to go. But then when it asks me if I really think I can do it, I have to answer it with a “hell yea!” and keep going toward my goals. Anything I pursue in this life will be met with obstacles so I might as well be pursuing what I love.
The second thing is to never underestimate how small our world is, and perhaps especially the creative world. As a young adult, I had the good fortune to work with some very established professionals and alongside many people who were just starting out as I was who are now leaders in the industry. Now those same people are the ones who may be my next collaborator or even employer. With that in mind, I always try to be friendly and reliable to the people who cross my path, whether they are in a superior role or not. If I can make a positive impression on the people in my atmosphere, it’s bound to serve me in the long run.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Aside from my work with Oh What A Night! And teaching with Hart-Cook Studios, I enjoy history and welcoming visitors to the Savannah area. I give bike tours with Savannah Bike Tours in the downtown district and on Tybee Island. I have learned so many interesting things about our area. For instance, did you know that our marshes are full of alligators that age very slowly? Or that the Revolutionary War hero, Casimir Pulaski was intersex? Or that Savannah ranks third in volume as a container port in the US? We really have a lot of notable and interesting facts about our area and it’s always fun to share these with other people who want to know more about Savannah.
I am also getting my hands dirty so to speak in the area of Georgia native plants. I work with Lisa Watson at Plan It Green Designs reimagining and maintaining beautiful gardens in the area with an emphasis on native plants that attract pollinators, provide food and shelter for local wildlife, improve air quality, require less water, and prevent soil erosion. Plus they’re just really cool! I think most people, when choosing what to plant in their gardens, often go with the most dazzling plant on display at their local Home Depot, but those plants may not be the best plants for the area and could even be invasive. Ironically, some of the most unique and beautiful plants could be native and natural to our area and right under our noses the whole time.
Lastly, I have been a regular with The Savannah Theatre on Chippewa Square since 2007. I always jump at the chance to work with those guys because the Savannah Theatre is like my home turf at this point. They offer an opportunity for local entertainers to showcase themselves in a professional atmosphere with an exciting season of shows. So if you’re looking for some live entertainment in the area, check out what’s on the bill!
Here are a few links to learn more about these companies I’ve mentioned.
savannahtheatre.com
frankievalliandthe4seasonstribute.com
www.art-ldw.com/planitgreendesign
What matters most to you?
I have many aspirations in my field that I will continue to pursue, and as I achieve them others will take their place. The one thing that stays in my middle age mind as mattering to me most is my legacy, what I leave behind when my time is up. I know that talent, creativity, and professional achievement although a part of that legacy will fade and the one thing that will be left is how I made people feel. I learned that while teaching high school for thirteen years. Students may remember some of the content that I taught them, but they will always remember how I made them feel long after they have graduated. I hope my legacy is one littered with people who feel that I made a positive connection with them and that I somehow made their worlds better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jonrichcook.com
- Instagram: jonrichcook
