JaVarius Conway, an actor/model molded and shaped in upstate South Carolina is on a steady climb in the world of acting and has been for a while now. Beginning at five years of age in various church plays and only stopping at the age of fifteen for a brief period of sports, JaVarius has now found an inspiration and purpose for not only acting but for bringing “Hollywood to the upstate.”
After a three year sabatical, it was the very first role when deciding to resume in a play called, The Replacement, presented by Erica Johnson, when word started to spread about this young talent. He notes that “they weren’t lead roles either” that started to attract the attention he needed and wanted for bigger roles.
He finally took a lead role in the film, Past and Present Slave, written and filmed by the exceptional SC filmmaker/photographer Lee Smith (aka Smitha Lee)in 2016. He says he also got his foundation by helping Smith, who he also considers his brother, acting in plays he wrote, transitioning into film, and then finally helping to build his vision which also includes the tremendous Audition Film Festival. The Audition Film Festival takes place every year at the beautiful Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg and features many a tremendous independent filmakers, scriptwriters, and actors/actresses.
I asked JaVarius what is he learning now at this stage of his career. His answer was one, “never despise small beginnings” and two, “how to appreciate humanity.” To expound on that JaVarius mentions that while acting and portraying various lifestyles, one learns more about “why people do what they do and not to be so quick to judge.”
He says he also learns so much from his acting coach, Javon Johnson, who he was adamant about mentioning. Let’s show our support by watching tonight.
