Jared holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory & University in Winchester, VA. He has made his way with a long career in the theater as an actor, director, choreographer and designer.  Upon graduation, he worked for a number of regional theatres up and down    the US East Coast, and doing regional tours. After a brief 2 years working   for the mouse at Walt Disney World, he moved to New York city to pursue  “the dream”.  The city allowed for work as an onsite catering manager for Restaurant Associates, running large events at Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, The US Golf & Tennis Open, and all the major New York museums for 7 years. After 9/11, Jared decided to leave NYC and return to Florida to be near friends and aging parents. In 2004, he came to Sarasota’s Golden Apple Dinner Theatre  to play Fred Casely in the musical, Chicago. Less than a year later, Jared took the opportunity to co-direct a joint, cross-cultural event with the The World Acrobats of Zunyi, China,  the Player’s Theatre and the PAL Sailor Circus called, The Legend Of Yin & Yang.  Two months later, he traveled with the troupe to direct and perform in China with those amazing acrobats in their state theatre! He has been a resident of Sarasota for 15 years, becoming the Costume Manager and Summer Camp Director for The Players Theatre for 10 years.  He left the theatre to join the cast of The CAC’s  Summer Circus Spectacular in 2018 as ringmaster, and came on board as the Sailor Circus Academy Creative Director that October. Jared produced his first show with the Sailor Circus Academy for the holiday show at the Big Top in December 2018, and 2 shows in the renovated Sailor Circus Arena in 2019.  Mr. Walker has spent over 25 years honing his craft and was excited to “join the circus” and to bring a new perspective and a fresh look to the Sailor Circus Academy and the Circus Arts Conservatory in the years to come.