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Robert F. Panara Professor Emeritus, English and Drama Rochester Institute of Technology |
It was great to see you perform on stage before a big appreciative audience of deaf and hearing people! Not only once, but TWICE that day! Your mime performances were the highlight of the entertainment venue that day, and I know people are still talking about you.
Your act really covered a wide variety of topics, from “classical mime” a la Marcel Marceau, and modern “slapstick pantomime” in the Red Skelton fashion, to your very own creations of “Deaf Life” and experiences common to our deaf culture. I was especially impressed at how you captured the reality of Deaf life and every day experiences. This, in my judgment, is unique as I have yet to see any mime portray these stories on stage. It took great imagination and personal , as well as skill, to carry out this challenge successfully.
It was a delight, too, at how you played up to the children and won their hearts. You easily made them feel relaxed and comfortable as you got them to imitate or become part of the “story”, and every one of them had fun doing so and being in the limelight! That is the test of a true Mime artist – to cater to the tastes and enjoyment of viewers of all ages! Just to see you in movement as each act unfolded was a work of art! Now you are in the company of Marceau and Bragg!
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Bernard Bragg Studied under Marcel Marceau in Paris, France in 1956 Helped found the National Theater of the Deaf in 1967 Actor, performer, writer, director, poet, teacher, and artist |
"I am a longtime fan of JJ Mime. He is a very kind, gentle hearted, gifted person who has a wonderful sense of humor. He always has a smile for everybody. I consider him a fine entertainer and I always enjoy watching him perform many different antics entirely in mime. I am lucky to have him as one of my dear friends. Thank you for your kind dedication to me at Deaf West Theatre."
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Chuck Baird (recently deceased) Deaf Artist |
JJ is a very creative mime artist. It's been a joy to watch his imaginative mime acts several times. It's a must see!
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Jean Bernard Laclotte Former student of Marcel Marceau Bordeaux, France |
I like the manner that "JJ" performed here in Bordeaux, France to honor Red Skelton and Marcel Marceau. We both have same mime spirit. I hope to see you again. Thank you for coming.
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Lori Bonheyo Special Assistant to the Principal Maryland School for the Deaf |
JJ’s mime performance was a hit with all ages at Maryland School for the Deaf! He did not only entertain them, he provided a workshop on mime and then included students in his
performance which made it very special. It was very amusing to watch students mesmerized by his performance. Thank you, JJ for coming to our school.
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Barbara Garrison Superintendent Missouri School for the Deaf |
"JJ"... We can't wait for you to come back to do mime again. We love you. You're a positive ray of sunshine and you are "magic" with our kids!
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Linda Mosca-Ginis ASL Coordinator New York School for the Deaf |
JJ Jones is the GREATEST! His performance was fantastic! Students at the New York School for the Deaf were captivated by his mime performance. He inspired our students and,
no doubt, JJ Jones was the STAR of our Deaf Awareness Week!
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Mayra Anna Teacher Alaska State School for the Deaf |
James Jones is from Kansas City, Missouri. He was the Artist in Residence for Alaska State School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He’s Deaf, a retired engineer,
an avid racquetball player and a MIME. But all the students at Russian Jack know about him is that they couldn’t take their eyes off of him at our assembly. All
hands moved in unison as the children flew butterflies, dodged UFOs, or pretended to toss balls—JJ’s multi-media, interactive mime show knocked their socks off! And
that was his plan.
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Bob Dramin ASL Coordinator Illinois School for the Deaf |
JJ was FABULOUS!! A MUST SEE! We look forward to have him come back soon!
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Marybeth Lauderdale Superintendent Illinois School for the Deaf |
We at the Illinois School for the Deaf loved the JJ Mime shows! The best part was how much he taught and interacted with our students as they became parts of the show itself! We are excited to invite him back and expand our advertisement to the community at large. What a treasure!
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Heidi Howard Exective Director Deaf Kids's aRt Network (DEAFKAN) |
We are honored that JJ has come to Wichita TWO times this last year (2012). The first time, he came to visit five schools and speak at our benefit evening
for Deaf Kids’ Art Network. JJ was a hit at all the schools! He entertained and delighted everyone. We had several teachers from different schools comment
on how enraptured their students were and how they had never seen their students so engaged during a student assembly before. And these were elementary, middle
school AND high school students! His presentation at our benefit with his life experiences and beautiful photos of his travels in Europe was inspiring. It was a
wonderful evening.
The second time he came was to perform in the Mary Jane Teall Theatre for a 90-minute show complete with lights and sound crew. It was amazing! JJ was born for the stage! His material is suitable for all ages and honors the tradition of mime. I’m certain Marcel Marceau would be proud.
The second time he came was to perform in the Mary Jane Teall Theatre for a 90-minute show complete with lights and sound crew. It was amazing! JJ was born for the stage! His material is suitable for all ages and honors the tradition of mime. I’m certain Marcel Marceau would be proud.
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Karyn Houston Director of Interpreter Training Program Southwestern Illinois Community College, Belleville, Illinois |
When you came to SWIC's SOS retreat, I was very excited because you were our very first guest star to come to this retreat. Watching you interact with students with no signing
skills to experienced signers, you put everyone at ease immediately. You relate with your audience of all ages extremely well! Your contagious enthusiasm and excitement in what
you do makes people enjoy your shows - they get more that they bargained for.
What impressed me even further was the fact you stayed the full weekend showed that you truly care deeply about what to do for others. I always look forward to seeing you each chance I can get.
What impressed me even further was the fact you stayed the full weekend showed that you truly care deeply about what to do for others. I always look forward to seeing you each chance I can get.
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Robert Crowell Non-Verbal Communications Instructor St Louis, Missouri |
Hey JJ, your mime show was way above my expectation! Not only you made me laugh; you made many of my students laugh to death! Your workshop was outstanding!
You helped my students master their non-verbal communications skills which in turn motivated them into becoming the interpreters, ready to serve the Deaf Community in
the Metropolitan St. Louis area! I look forward to your return one day!
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Dianne Fisher Imagination Celebration Chairwoman |
On behalf of 500 deaf students across the state of Texas, I want to thank you for your participation in Imagination Celebration Special Weekend for the Deaf. Your workshop was outstanding and the students enjoyed it so much. We appreciate the time and talent you put into this workshop to make it so meaningful to deaf students.
YOU made a difference in the lives of the children in the workshop. The evaluations we have received have been great. Thank you for caring and sharing in such a special way. It is because of artists like you that we can offer such a once in a lifetime opportunity for deaf students across Texas. We look forward to seeing you again.
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Lisa Cook VSA Coordinator Louisiana School for the Deaf |
JJ is a good medicine for the soul! He was phenomenal!
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Mary Maguire Lerman Coordinator of Horticulture Programs Minneapolis Parks and Recreation |
J.J. Jones, the Mime, performed for us at the 80th Anniversary celebration at our rose gardens this summer. His performance delighted and enthralled the crowd.
Instead of just performing, he involved the audience in his presentation of which made for special memories for many families. I highly recommend that you select J.J.
for a performance at your park, school, or facility.
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Debbie Kepler-Davis Sub-Teacher for John Powers School Vernon Hills, Illnois |
JJ, thank you for coming to the John Powers School at Vernon Hills to perform your mime show. It was awesome! I hope you will come back again to perform mime and also in your workshop. I know the children enjoyed every moment.
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Ken Davis CEO of Deaf Newspaper, LLC Colorado Springs, Colorado |
We want to say big THANK YOU to James "JJ" Jones for joining with us at any deaf events. They truly enjoyed having James "JJ" Jones with us and have great times with him. James "JJ" Jones is a very nice man and it was really worth having him with us. If you are considering to have James "JJ" Jones as your special guest for your local deaf event, I highly recommend you to invite him. We are looking forward to invite him again for our future deaf events. Again, THANK YOU JJ!!!!!
Amy Wheeler SMAC Cultural Arts Chair |
Thank you for sharing a slice of your program with us. Your sense of humor and contagious enthusiasm easily engage students and adults in seeing the world from a different perspective.