We had the good fortune of connecting with Jason Yachanin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jason, why did you pursue a creative career?
When I was in middle school, I remember going to see my older brother in one of his high school theatre productions. It was either a night of One Act plays, or a production of Dracula. My memory is a little hazy, but I do remember sitting in the audience and thinking to myself – “I want to do this.” Since that night, I don’t think I have ever questioned why I pursued an artistic career. I just knew that it was the path I was going to take. Something, connected with me that night at my brother’s show and I haven’t looked back since.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
From 2003 – 2015, I was working pretty steadily as an actor. However, after 2015, I hit a major draught. My auditions seemed to vanish. If I was somehow able to get an audition, I couldn’t book a single project, and the few agencies I was freelancing with at the time all dropped me from their rosters. I was in a pretty dark place for a lot of years. I think what saved me, and what I am extremely excited about / most proud of, are the books that I started writing. I had to make the decision to either do something creatively on my own, or call it quits. I don’t give up that easily, but I knew I had to pivot. Majorly. I decided I was going to start writing as my own creative outlet and see where this new road would take me.

I now have two books out with one more on the way to complete the trilogy. I have made a few appearances as a guest at a couple horror conventions along the east coast, and even had a book signing.

Both books are available at: Amazon, or BarnesandNoble.com

Book 1: The Mysterious Happenings at 2 Morningview
Book 2: The Mysterious Happenings on Hyde Avenue

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live at the Jersey Shore – SO… if you were to come into town, I would probably have our first night out be in the downtown section of Atlantic Highlands. First stop would be the tasting room at Carton Brewery. After that, dinner at The Atlantic House. Did someone say Kevin Smith? He now owns this great little art house movie theatre in town and is always hosting cool events.

We would DEFINITELY have to check out Asbury Park. They have an amazing board walk and live music can be found everywhere!

No stop to the Jersey Shore would be complete without going to the beach! They all have different vibes, so depending on what you were looking for, there are a multitude of choices! Cape May and Point Pleasant would be my top recommendations!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife, Kathryn Fraggos, definitely deserves a major shoutout! We met on the National Tour of Dragon Tales Live in 2003, and have been pretty much inseparable since. We have auditioned together, performed together, she has helped me through a lot of dark times in my artistic career, and we even opened our small business together. She is a professional dancer, fitness professional, and possibly one of the hardest working female entrepreneurs I have ever seen.

Website: https://perspirology.wixsite.com/actor

Instagram: @jasonyachanin23

Youtube: Jason Yachanin

Other: I am new to it, but I do have a TikTok page: @jasonyachanin

Image Credits
@tom_grillo_illustration @docivansfn

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