In an environment where teamwork and friendship is hard to navigate at times, young actor Jaden Pullman thrives, overcoming the stresses of high school and creating meaningful friendships throughout.
Acting and singing have always been a big part of Pullman’s life. He’s grown up with music and theatre and has had many experiences with putting on shows in his personal life as well as joining choir and theatre all throughout school. Pullman was always an extroverted child so when COVID happened, the isolation it brought forced him into a shell that was hard for him to emerge from at first.
Pullman said, “I did one show during COVID, but it was a virtual thing, so it was weird and uncomfortable. But when we came back to school, I was just too afraid to express myself in that same type of way so I closed off for a long time until this year.”
Although his performance as a backup singer in last year’s Mr. Norristown helped him not to lose touch with his two passions, the “Addams Family” play allowed Pullman to fully express them. Playing the loving uncle Fester in the play presented some challenges that were hard for him to get over at first, but in the end, his performance helped him become more in tune with his acting and singing.
“Getting over my fear and embarrassment really helped because then I started to have fun and then the audience started to have fun and that was a huge part of the process.”
On the first night, it was intense having so many eyes staring at him, but as time went on, everything got easier for him.
“I found it easier [for the second night] because I wasn’t as afraid,” he said. “No one was there to laugh at any of our jokes during rehearsals, so when there was an actual audience that was laughing with me, it made me feel really confident.”
Pullman expressed that working with a close team helped him a lot in getting over the stress of a project as big as this can present. So when he was told that he needed to choreograph an entire solo performance, Pullman was extremely nervous and dreaded it every rehearsal. Ultimately, the fact that the entire cast, including the ensemble, was relying on him gave him the confidence to keep performing.
“If I mess up, it’s messing up thirty people’s performances, and that was really pressuring, but that helped me get so confident in it and really lock it down.”
Friendship also played an important role for Pullman and having a friend like Eddie Baldwin performing and rehearsing with him gave him the confidence he needed.
“I love him, he’s one of my closest friends. Being involved with something like that with him was the most fun thing ever because we don’t get to see each other that often so having that experience with him was really special.”
Friendship didn’t just help Pullman get through two performances, it also plays an important role in his everyday life. Pullman really appreciates having close friends and attributes big changes in his personal life and high school career to them.
“Ever since I’ve really gotten into this friend group, my entire life has changed for the better. I owe a huge part of who I am now to them, and I’m glad I’m still actively part of their group.”
In the classroom, teamwork and friendship have become something Pullman fights for and encourages in more classes, even when it’s unconventional.
“In physics, we do a test in groups and I think it’s one of the most helpful things because everyone learns differently and everyone highlighting what their own strength is very important,” he said.
With teamwork comes different ideas and values within the group. Whether they’re political or nonsensical, Pullman’s passion for debating in and out of the classroom sums up his perspective on school and life in general.
“I want people to understand that debating isn’t a winning or losing thing, it’s coming to an understanding. It’s such a fundamental part of humans, it’s necessary for everything. Being able to understand where someone is coming from and meeting them in the middle, I’m really grateful that I’ve developed that skill.”
Overall Pullman is someone who values human connection deeply and searches for it in his favorite hobbies and everyday life. His loving, caring attitude shines through in his acting and interactions. In a time where hate divides us, we could all use a friend like Jaden Pullman.
