Javon Tcheco

I saw the phenomenal Javon Tcheco for the first time just a week ago in Grand Prairie Arts Council’s spectacular RENT. His portrayal of Tom Collins was one of the most authentic, tender, poignant, and vocally impressive performances I have seen. Javon has mastered the rare skill of bringing the subtlety of film acting to the stage and his Collins was unforgettable. His “I’ll Cover You” made me (and most of the audience) a total emotional wreck. Authenticity is the word that keeps coming to my mind to describe Javon Tcheco. He is completely genuine on stage and that gives his performance incredible power. I’m sure the future holds great things for the dynamic Javon Tcheco. Take a few moments to read about this rising DFW star.

When was your first time on stage?

In some capacity or another, I’ve been on stage my whole life. In a literal sense, the first time I really recall being on stage was in my second grade Spelling Bee. I thrived under that pressure. From there, I was in band, choir, and a handbell choir, so I was always on stage in some way. I’ve always loved making collaborative art and showcasing it for audiences. There’s so much vulnerability and joy in that process! If we’re talking in terms of Theatre, my first show I was cast in was Godspell at UNT in 2010.

When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

Honestly, it took me quite a while to learn this about myself. When I got to college in 2007, I was in limbo when choosing my major. I’d always loved theatre, but I’d never had the chance to participate because too many things would have clashed with my schedule in high school. Fast forward to 2009, the assistant director of the handbell choir I was in wanted to go see Rent in New York because it was closing on Broadway with Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp reprising their roles. I had only seen the movie, but I loved it, so I was 100% on board. So, we made it happen. We saw four shows while we were there: Rent, Spring Awakening, Avenue Q, and A Chorus Line. Who knew that this would be the magic recipe to trigger the Theatre gene in me? Once I returned to school, I met with the Theatre advisor and switched my major. The rest is history.

Who is your greatest mentor?

I know this may be a cheesy answer, but I’ll explain myself, I promise. My greatest mentor is the community I curate. Every time I work in a new space with a new group of people, I’m learning new things. Since I got into Theatre a bit later than most, there was no particular person that influenced me in that direction. Through these many spaces and journeys, I’ve learned that I’m not a monolith, that I need patience and grace when approaching delicate matters, that confidence is not the same as cockiness, and that there’s always something I can improve. I think the biggest lesson from my “mentor”, though, is that I’m not alone! I have someone to call in every single scenario and I could not be more grateful.

What role have you enjoyed the most in your career so far?

Hands down, playing Tom Collins in Grand Prairie Art Council’s production of Rent. This has always been a dream role of mine, so I never thought I’d be able to fall more in love with this role, but it happened. The intimacy process and character work allowed for a very authentic take on Collins. As a gay, black man, I love getting to bring feelings that I’ve experienced into this role.

Do you have a dream role?

I have three that I cannot choose between, so I’ll say all of them. Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors, Aaron Burr from Hamilton, and Tom Collins from Rent are my top dream roles at this current stage in my life. I’m so grateful to be able to knock Collins off my bucket list. Audrey II is one of the best villain roles out there. They’re dangerous, manipulative, and fierce. I’d love to embody all that and more if I get the chance to bring this character to life.

Aaron Burr is introverted, brooding, and defensive. This would be an amazing role to translate to the stage. The tension that naturally builds between him and Hamilton is palpable.

Tom Collins is compassion and love personified. He holds such a special place in my heart because he’s who I aspire to be in my daily life.

What person(s) would you like to be on stage with?

I have a long list that I will condense for time’s sake.

1. Cynthia Erivo

2. Joy Woods

3. Shoshana Bean

What performances have you seen that impressed you?

Tamyra Gray as Mimi Marquez in Rent on Broadway: I saw her in this role on my New York trip that I mentioned a few questions back. She commanded that stage in a way that I had never seen before. Her vocal prowess, her acting choices, and her confidence together culminated a beautiful, memorable performance..

Joshua Flores as Angel Dumott Schunard in Rent at Uptown Theatre in Grand Prairie: I had the pleasure of acting alongside Josh. This was his first lead role, yet it felt like he’d been on stage for ages. It’s rare to see someone be able to charm and captivate with the level of skill he brought to the table. Seeing him on stage every night giving such consistent excellence is so admirable!

What are your career goals?

I would love for Theatre to be my main job, but I’m a realist and understand finding gigs that pay well enough for that are few and far between. I want to be onstage as much as healthily possible! I don’t do Theatre for the money; I do it for the love and joy of making art. I’ve been blessed in recent years with the ability to work full time and still make performing a priority! All that said, I would LOVE to grace a Broadway stage at some point.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I’ve had a very limited amount of vocal training. I just spend a lot of time trying to improve myself by researching and studying on my own. I’m so grateful to the few that have taken the time to train me because it laid the groundwork and base of my techniques. Learning the ins and outs of my voice has been a real treat over the years!