**Update 8/28 - Recently relocated to Los Angeles, California**
Jonathan Renard Thompkins was born in Chicago Illinois, where he has two loving parents and a younger brother that have helped shape him to the man he is today. Since a very early age Jonathan knew he would be something special because he was different. When it came to playing sports Jonathan played the “normal” sports but would play a year up because he worked hard and strived to be better. Jonathan also would be involved in the “action” sports like BMX and Aggressive Inline because these sports gave him different challenges as well as meeting different people. Jonathan has always strived to better himself.

Jonathan attended Mount Carmel High school, where his life took on a different path. He planned on playing baseball, but when that plan changed, after 2 tryouts and a baseball camp, he decided to try theatre and swimming. He made the swim team and worked hard for 3 years to get faster and develop a great stroke; but it was theatre that really changed his life. He asked the drama/speech teacher about auditions and told the teacher “All I would like to do is speak on stage. I will be happy with a couple lines.” The teacher looked at him and said that the play was cast, but to try Mother McAuley high school, the sister school, fall musical. Then the teacher said words that lit a fire under Jonathan, “I doubt you’ll get any lines though”. The words hurt him, but did not stop Jonathan from trying out for the musical “The Wiz”. As a sophomore Jonathan was cast as the Lion and he gave that part everything he had. From the first show Jonathan knew he had to continue acting. It became the dream that would stay in his heart.

Jonathan continued acting throughout high school. He did as many plays and musicals as he could. That determination got him into college through the Illinois High School Theatre Festival. Many of the nations top theatre schools were there. With his audition he was looked at by many schools, though in the end Jonathan chose Ball State University because they had a great Theatre program as well as Film program.

At Ball State Jonathan was blessed with the opportunity to be in the first HD film shot with theatre students, as his first show. That was Jonathans first taste of the movie making process, and would not be his last. He loved that he could be more intimate with his scene partner. His hunger to be in front of the camera was so large that he switched majors to pursue a production.

In production Jonathan was able to expand his knowledge for the full filming process. His strength was being a producer and locking in locations as well as anything a production needed. Though he would act as a producer he would always find a way to be an actor in the films. He has never lost the passion for acting. Jonathan graduated Ball State University with a B.A in Telecommunications.

Acting, Singing, Modeling and Producing are the talents Jonathan wants to use for the rest of his life. He is never content with life, he always wants more. He wants to bless those around him with his talents. He knows that God put him on this earth to make people happy and take them out of their day to day lives for 2 or more hours.

“In life your always Auditioning” Michael S. Pipers told Jonathan in a Auditioning 101 class at Second City Chicago. Jonathan takes that advice and always gives his best self. There is more to accomplish and it takes faith and dedication.

Don’t talk… DO!!

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