Jaris Benjamin Owens

Jaris Benjamin Owens

Bachelor of Arts

Theater

I came to Oberlin initially to major in creative writing before I found the theater department and focused on becoming an actor. Since then, I've been immersed in the tradition of the Blues and Black theater during my time in Oberlin. I've performed in The Bluest Eye, directed by Justin Emeka and The Brothers Size, directed by Ti Ames, to name a few. I've also hosted the weekly radio show Fly in the Buttermilk with Miyah Byers, in my spare time. My final major college experience was performing in, editing, and designing the costumes for the one-man show In the Eleventh Hour, directed and written by Miyah Byers, for my theater capstone project.

CDS student staff

Libraries Student Staff

One of my Oberlin spaces is Hall Auditorium, mainly due to the fact that I have experienced it inside and out, from backstage, to the paintshop, to watching from the audience, it is probably one of my most frequented spaces!

One of my favorite classes was Blues Aesthetic, taught by Professor Johnny Coleman. From John Biggers to Toni Morrison, this class was where I was immersed in the vast tradition of Black artists in America operating within the Blues tradition, which I bring to everything I do.

ABUSUA

Capoeira Angola

Christian Fellowship

Meditators

Oberlin Student Cooperative Association

WOBC: Oberlin College & Community Radio

Yeworkwha Belachew Center for Dialogue

"Love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within. I use the word "love" here not merely in the personal sense but as a state of being, or a state of grace - not in the infantile American sense of being made happy but in the tough and universal sense of quest and daring and growth." -James Baldwin

05/25/2020

One of my goals it to become a working actor in the Cleveland area and eventually teach acting to kids and/or adults!