Hazelwood School District student Jacob Feaman made his professional acting debut in a major way thanks to a role on the award-winning ABC television series “Abbott Elementary.”
“His passion for the performing arts led him to a demanding process of elimination at the iPOP Talent Convention competition that began with 5000 kids and, in the end, left him as one of a few kids who could choose an agent and manager,” the district said in a news release.
A seventh grader who attends North Middle, Feaman had been developing his talent since attending the Ignite Theatre Company, a two-time nationally award-winning youth theater company in St. Louis.
“We had to learn two monologues, a song and two commercials,” Feaman said of his participation in the iPOP Talent Convention. “I earned five medals. If you add all that together, I won Actor of the Year,” Feaman said. “We had multiple managers and agents we could pick from who were trying to work with me. I was surprised. I was like, I am doing well here; maybe I should be an actor.”
He auditioned for a role in “Abbott Elementary” through his agent and was chosen to play the part.
The Emmy Award-winning show follows a group of dedicated, passionate staff and faculty of an inner-city Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds being stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life.
Feaman appeared in season three, episode four, entitled “Smoking.”
“Even under peer pressure, why would friends convince you to smoke if they know it hurts you,” Feaman said of the episode. “That makes no sense to me. Kids, don’t smoke. Stay in school and pursue your dreams.”
He isn’t the only St. Louis native with “Abbott Elementary” among his acting credentials. William Stanford Davis is among the sitcom’s co-stars. He portrays Mr. Johnson, the school custodian and de facto father figure who uses comic relief to steer staff and students in the right direction.
“‘Abbott Elementary’ is a show for the culture,” Davis told The American in 2022. “It’s a show about hope and optimism.”
With his second consecutive “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” nomination thanks to the role, Davis earned an NAACP Image Award earlier this year.
It is Feaman’s father that influences and inspires him the most in real life.
“He has to wake up at 2:00 a.m. every morning and is a hard worker,” Feaman said. “That is why I look up to him.”
Recently, Feaman auditioned for a Netflix show and will audition for a leading character role.
He hopes that his appearance on “Abbott Elementary” encourages all of his peers who want to pursue a career in acting, and offers a few helpful tips.
“If you ever want to do acting and get a script or something to audition from, don’t read it just like the lines,” Feaman said. “You have to think about the thought. Read between the lines.”
Information from St. Louis American content partner ksdk.com contributed to this report.
