_edited.png)
No Villains, Just Vision: The Story Behind The Couch
- Jaret B Barron
- May 21
- 3 min read
Welcome to another round of Interviews with Your Brand Man, Jasai Enterprise Theater Festival edition. This time we sat down with the powerful duo behind the production The Couch: Lynn Shirley and Jerome Scott. If you saw it, you already know why this conversation had to happen. If you missed it, consider this your wake-up call to never skip another one of their shows again.
We dove deep into their origin stories, the inspiration behind the play, and how the magic of The Couch came to life. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t easy. But what makes this interview special is the transparency, honesty, and full-circle moments that will inspire any big dreamer on their own creative journey.
Meet the Visionaries
Lynn Shirley wears many hats: actress, director, dancer, choreographer, writer, educator, and administrator at a K-8 school. She stays in motion, working on a film called Who? and a theater production titled Broken Dreams debuting at Stage Crafters Theater.
Jerome Scott is a performer, writer, co-producer, actor, and performing arts teacher for middle school students. He’s humble about his skills as a director but shines as a creative powerhouse. Jerome has several projects brewing for 2024, so stay tuned.
Where It All Began
Lynn's creative spark was lit during childhood. A self-proclaimed introvert, she created entire storylines with her Barbie dolls, using creativity to escape and connect. Her journey into acting started with a church play where she played a teenage cheerleader in her mid-twenties. It led to a role in No Name Play, where she met Jerome.
Jerome’s story begins in church too. His mom cast him as King Herod at the age of five in an adult Christmas play. Despite a detour into sports, his passion for acting reemerged in high school with a role in A Raisin in the Sun. Later in college, a theater director spotted him and pulled him into the craft. The rest is history.
The Making of The Couch
The concept for The Couch began with Jerome’s memory of a haunting scene from a college performance. It lingered for years until he wrote a single scene that evolved into the full play. He doesn’t write linearly, so Lynn often received puzzle pieces out of order. Still, something about it clicked.
Although Lynn didn’t initially expect to direct, she was Jerome’s first and only choice. He knew she had the vision to bring his fragmented script to life. What followed was a creative partnership built on trust, respect, and an unshakable belief in the work.
From Chaos to Craft
Their journey was anything but smooth. From chaotic rehearsals to unexpected car accidents, every production faced its own mountain of stress. Yet, every time, they overcame. Why? Because they bet on themselves. Lynn’s leadership, attention to detail, and creative instincts as a director became the glue that held it all together.
Her mantra? “If my name is on it, it’s going to be good.”
She studied the best, including directors she worked with in the past, and built a process that made her actors feel supported and prepared. Jerome, in turn, stayed out of her way and let her lead. “She’s the coach. I knew my role.”
The Intentional Gray Area
One of the most powerful elements of The Couch is its moral complexity. There are no clear villains or heroes. Every character lives in a gray space, allowing audiences to decide how they feel. This approach sparked conversations long after the curtains closed.
New characters like Bobby and Will weren’t even in the original script. They were added through auditions and audience feedback, enhancing the storyline and adding layers to the leads.
What’s Next?
More magic. More shows. More storytelling.
The Couch is expected to return, potentially with a tour. Lynn has a feature film script in the works, and Jerome continues writing. No matter the medium—film or stage—they’re committed to authentic storytelling.
Final Thoughts
Lynn and Jerome prove that your first time doesn't have to be amateur. With heart, vision, and divine timing, The Couch was a professional hit. Their story is a testimony to the power of collaboration, the beauty of knowing your role, and the importance of staying the course.
Stay tuned. The best is yet to come.
Find out more about the Jasai Enterprise Theater Festival 2025
Comments