Joe’s Story

My story begins over two decades ago, in a darkened Broadway theatre. I was sitting there, completely mesmerized, as The Phantom of the Opera unfolded before me. It was the longest-running show in Broadway history, and for good reason—it was captivating. As the music soared and the chandelier fell, something inside me clicked. I knew, right then and there, that this was what I was meant to do with my life. I wanted to bring stories like this to life, to create art that moves people and stays with them long after the curtain falls.

Fast forward to today, and I’m living that dream. I’m a director, actor, singer, and educator, and my work has taken me to regional and international stages. I earned my Master of Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Southern Mississippi, and I’m proud to be an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), a member of The Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE), and a member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible companies like Ohio Light Opera, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, The Lost Colony, and The International Performing Arts Institute.

In 2018, I took a leap of faith and started my own company, jmh MEDIA. What began as an idea quickly grew into a thriving business. At jmh MEDIA, we specialize in branding and marketing, helping theatre and opera artists, nonprofits, and small businesses tell their stories in authentic and impactful ways. From designing websites to creating engaging social media strategies, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with amazing artists and organizations, including Broadway legends like Kate Baldwin and Graham Rowat, Opera Mississippi, Wade Artist Management, the Natchez Festival of Music, and many others.

Before jmh MEDIA grew into the company it is today, I was immersed in the academic world as a professor and artist. I loved teaching, but life called me in a different direction when my mother’s health began to decline. I made the difficult decision to step away from academia and join the corporate world as a Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications. It wasn’t an easy transition, but it gave me the flexibility I needed to care for my mom and honor and give back to her for all the years she had given to my sister and I. That experience shaped me profoundly—it taught me resilience, deepened my capacity for empathy, and gave me new tools that have enriched my work in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

My mentor once told me, “Do it with love,” and those words have become my guiding principle. Whether I’m working with a Broadway producer, capturing the essence of an artist through photography, or mentoring students who dream of a life in the arts, my goal is to create something meaningful—something that resonates. It’s about telling stories that matter and helping others discover the beauty and power of their own voices.

These days, I find myself traveling across the country and even the world, collaborating with incredible artists and organizations, creating works that inspire, educate, and change lives. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring the next generation of theatre-makers, sharing what I’ve learned, and encouraging them to chase their own dreams.

This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Every project, every collaboration, every story I get to help bring to life is a reminder of why I fell in love with this work in the first place. It all started in that Broadway theatre, watching Phantom and realizing what was possible. That moment lit a fire in me, and it’s still burning strong. If my story resonates with you, I’d love to connect, share ideas, and help you tell your story—because the world is better when we bring our dreams to life.

Joe loves reconnecting with old friends/colleagues and introducing his students to them.