Van Jones Tickets

Van Jones is a man of many talents—he’s a best-selling author, CNN commentator, and former advisor to President Barack Obama. But what many people may not know about him is that he has also made significant contributions to the world of theater.

Jones’s interest in theater dates back to his childhood. Growing up in rural Tennessee, he often found himself drawn to local productions and the transformative power of storytelling. This love of theater only grew stronger as he got older, leading him to explore opportunities to get involved in the industry in any way he could.

One of the earliest examples of Jones’s involvement in theater came during his college years at the University of Tennessee. There, he helped organize a production of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf,” a landmark work by Ntozake Shange that explores the experiences of Black women. The production was a hit, and it inspired Jones to continue working in theater for years to come.

After college, Jones continued to pursue his passion for theater while also building a career in politics and activism. In the early 2000s, he co-founded a social justice organization called the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, which aimed to address issues related to mass incarceration, police brutality, and economic inequality. Through this work, Jones began to see even more clearly the connection between social justice and theater.

For Jones, theater has always been a way to inspire people to think about their own lives and experiences in new ways. He has said that watching a play or a musical can be a powerful tool for understanding the complexities of the world around us, especially when it comes to issues like race and inequality.

In recent years, Jones has continued to make connections between theater and social justice through his work with the nonprofit Dream Corps. As the founder and CEO of Dream Corps, Jones has spearheaded initiatives like #cut50, which aims to cut the U.S. prison population in half by 2025, and Green For All, which promotes green jobs and environmental justice.

Through Dream Corps, Jones has also launched a program called #LoveArmy Arts, which seeks to use art and culture as a means of inspiring social change. This program has supported theater productions like “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Angels in America,” both of which explore issues related to mental health and LGBTQ+ rights.

For Van Jones, the power of theater lies in its ability to create empathy and understanding across different cultures and communities. Through his work in politics and activism, he has seen firsthand how divisive rhetoric can tear people apart—but through theater, he has found a way to bring people together and build a brighter future for everyone.