Gilliam follows passion of storytelling as way to help others
Rhonda Minton | Alumni Relations |
Cameron Gilliam (’13) of Los Angeles, California, was on track for a career in the medical field, until he discovered storytelling through performance as a way to help others.
“The thing about medicine that intrigued me was that I’ve always had that heart to see others improve, and I wanted to do something that helps heal the world. I realized that storytelling can do that,” Gilliam said. “Stories teach us who we are and who we can be. They inspire people to create, to dream, to connect and to live.”
A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Gilliam’s life growing up included sports, music and church. An accomplished singer, dancer and choreographer, Gilliam also plays guitar, piano and drums. He sang backstage harmonies for Singarama as a Lipscomb freshman, and he was a featured dancer during his sophomore year. However, it wasn’t until his senior year at Lipscomb that theater became a primary focus.
“I was asked to perform in a one-act short for a theater class. I played a 65-year-old man in ‘Moon Over Buffalo,’” he said.
“That experience made me rethink my life,” he said with a smile.
Gilliam had 13 hours left to finish his degree in molecular biology, and he added as many theater courses as he could. He graduated from Lipscomb in May 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree and med school on the horizon. He had already taken the MCAT and was preparing to start the journey toward life as a doctor, but the acting bug had firmly taken hold in widespread fashion.
“I knew I had to get this performance thing out of my system before I could even begin to focus on med school,” he said.
About six months into his role with a boy band, Gilliam had his first medical school interview. That meeting changed the course of his future. The interviewer closed her book at the end of the meeting and said, “I don't think we want you.”
“I was stunned,” he said. “She told me that I had the grades, the personality and the work ethic to be a doctor, so I was confused. Then she said to me, ‘I’m going to be real frank with you. I don’t think you’ve ever been given permission to do what you really want to do.’
“And I broke down right there. That was Feb. 16, 2014, the day I said goodbye to med school,” Gilliam said.
Three months later the boy band broke up, and Gilliam started working with Nashville Dance Company. A casting director landed him a three-month performance gig in Germany in 2015. Upon returning to Nashville, he worked in musical theater with Nashville community theater, performed in music videos, taught acting and dance classes and worked as a choreographer for musical acts. He was picked up by a film agent and found himself on the “Triple Threat” competition on Harry Connick Jr.’s show “Harry” in November 2016. Gilliam won that competition and its $10,000 prize.
More acting jobs continued coming his way. In fall 2017, Gilliam landed an opportunity with “Part of the Plan,” a musical based on the music of Dan Fogelberg that was staged at Tennessee Performance Arts Center (TPAC) in Nashville. Gilliam was a member of TPAC’s ensemble cast and an understudy for one of the lead roles.
“I met many actors from New York and Los Angeles who told me I could get a lot of work if I moved to either city,” Gilliam said.
After a few weeks of deep soul-searching, Gilliam bought a Nov. 1 ticket to LA.
“I decided if it wasn't a right fit, I always had a home and creative community in Nashville,” he said.
Barely a month into life in LA, Gilliam was invited to audition for “Disney Junior Dance Party On Tour” and landed the lead role of “Jay.” Inspired by the favorite Disney Junior series, the concert tour features beloved Mickey and Minnie Mouse, as well as other characters. The family show is framed around Gilliam and co-star Paris Nicole who are hosts “Dee and Jay” for the interactive performance. The tour launched March 14 in Southern California and is performing 67 shows in more than 50 cities across the country.
While a permanent move back to Nashville doesn't seem apparent anytime in the near future, Gilliam will return to Nashville on March 28 when “Disney Junior Dance Party On Tour” plays at the Grand Ole Opry. The complete tour schedule is available at disneyjuniortour.com
“I’m excited about coming back to Nashville,” he said. “This tour and the cast are amazing, and families are going to absolutely love it!”
Gilliam is enjoying the storytelling route his life is taking.
“When you take something as potent and effective as a story and share it, that’s when you can really communicate and connect with others,” he said.
“A story allows you to see gratefulness, a change in perspective and, in some instances, enables you to speak up for those who don’t have a voice. Story also can inspire those like me … who felt forced toward a particular career… or those who had to put off or give up their dreams to go the safe and secure route, to take a chance,” he said.
“So, I encourage people to get passionate about something that takes your heart and God's heart to the world ... and then do it. Get off our phones, get out and experience the world,” Gilliam said. “The cost of living an adventure-less life isn't worth the predictability of playing it safe.”