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JO'S BIO

My road to performing has been unique. I am trained as an architect and designer, so I'm asked all the time: How on earth did you get from a design studio to a stage? An astute producer said over cocktails, after hearing my story: "If you've been pitching projects, you've basically been doing acting and improv your entire professional life." He was right - a boardroom is just another kind of a stage.

 

I've been singing all my life and have always loved theatre. Sitting out there in the dark I wondered what it would be like to step onstage and perform in that light. One morning I read an article in the New York Times about a community theater group holding open auditions for RENT. Intrigued, I thought: here's an opportunity to quit wondering if I could do it, and find out. So I took a very deep breath and did something unimaginable and utterly terrifying: I auditioned. I stood up and belted 16 bars of Take Me or Leave Me to a table of strangers. Then I got triple cast. Opening night was magic - I'd found my creative home and a whole new career.

I'm someone who's never halfway in so I went looking for serious teachers, and instead I found mentors. In a way I've built my own "conservatory" through work with private coaches and great classes. I have such incredible people behind me: vocal teachers who kick my butt; acting teachers who push me to stay open and honest; dance teachers who challenge me to be in my body; improv coaches who keep me in the moment and out of my head. Thanks to my design training I know how to work hard, stay focused, and get it done. I love the work, the process, and the collaboration from table read to closing night.

Since playing Alexi Darling and the Blanket Lady in RENT, I've played everything from Heidi VonSturm in NINE to Zinaida in Chekhov's IVANOV. I've sung off-Broadway in THE EVENTS and THE CHRISTIANS and was privileged to conduct a group of singers in THE PUBLIC DOMAIN at Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival. I starred as Arlene in the award-winning dramedy short film AWAKENING ARLENE and have worked in genres from horror to comedy. I've performed solo cabarets at small clubs in Manhattan, and my comedy improv duo Jed&Jo performs in venues around the city. I'm a proud member of Actors Equity, SAG/AFTRA and the Dramatists Guild. I've been busy!

When I'm not auditioning or taking classes I write, paint, read voraciously, and travel. I speak Greek (long story!) and enough Spanish and German to get into trouble. This year I got the urge to learn Italian and tap - challenging, but mad fun. I can make just about anything out of paper, and yes, I believe in the Oxford comma.

Jo Walker Headshot.jpg
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Member SAG/AFTRA, Actors Equity

Representation:

Baker Management

Jaime Baker / 212 262-4234 / filmbaker1@gmail.com

Find me online at

BACKSTAGE  and ACTORS ACCESS

Just watched your self-submit . . . Excellent! Great charm, story, lighting, sound, production value. I appreciate the effort / quality you put into your auditions! You make my job easy. Thank you!

Sandy Gunar, Avanti Talent

Thank you again for an amazing job. You really brought Adult Annie to life!

Gavin Cote, ESPN Director

Ms. Walker dives deep into character investigation resulting in a complex, layered, and ultimately compelling performance.

Ben Tostado, Director (War, She Said)

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